Fun in the Dalmation Sun!

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Ok well, as typical of my blogs, too much to say, and too little time to do anything true justice. Have been so slack trying to get to a computer. But hey, wouldn´t you be too when the Adriatic coast calls your name longingly? You betchya!!!!!

So our last chat took place in Dubrovnik. The follwoing day saw us take in our first day of true indulgence. An hour ferry ride from Dubrovnik took us to a croation island called Lopud. With a half hour trek in the sun over the local hills we found our own private idaho. And of course the guy touting sun beds and umbrellas was from Melbourne!!!! Ok I am never going to do this coastline justice, But the seas are salty, not too cold, and a beautiful graduated shade of aquamarine and blue. It was just bliss. Without going into a blow by blow description, you can be assured that many days in Dubrovnik, Spilt and Piran (Slovenia) were spent in this fashion. Afternoons spent hunting out the best beach spot, availability of shade or in the case of Piran, the best place on the sidewalk!!!!!!! People this leg of the trip has been hot

hot hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And yep I am now officially brown! And yes I have been sunsmart for all those back home!

Funny stories and different side trips were abound. We tried to hire a scooter in Dubrovnik, but as they started us at a 45 degree angle on a steep MAIN road, I jumped on the back of Jenny´s (travel cohort!) scooter, she gave it some real gas and it got away from us! Me trying to jump off the back to save my own hide, Jen wavering about trying not to fall, but alas knocking over the stationary bike next to us - into oncoming traffic!!!! Yikes!!!!!!!!! Hmmm the owners none too impressed decided that we were not to take their bikes. So cheekily we got the young guy to drive us where - a nearby beach hehehe

A day from Split took us out to the Krk national park, where there are the most amazing waterfalls that you can swim under - so yep more sunning and swimming availed in this location then sunning overselved on the deck of the ferry back - as our tour leader was dating a guy from the ferry, sometimes connections just make the experience

fo much better! But in Split we did enjoy a little culture by visiting Dioclesians Palace which is the ruins from Roman times!!!!!! Photos will follow soon. In trekking local style, we even had the fun of visiting Bosnia for approximately 5 minutes - but darn it, no stamp in the passport! They are like our holygrail now. We only visit if we can get a stamp hehehehe!

From Split we had the joys of an overnight ferry to Piran. My head was full with fear of boat sickness etc. But was pleasantly surprised! The only thing that kept me awake was the excess of caffiene and softdrink I had consumed that day! Urghhhh you will all be so proud to know that my addiction has rolled back some (although there is a bottle of diet coke poking it´s head out of my bag next to me right now..... nevermind!!!!)

Piran we got going early to check out the town and all that it had to offer. Around the old area, up a tower and a visit to the city walls, then yep u guessed it, looking out for the best place on the footpath to sunbathe and swim! It

was an unexpected Monday night that you can only have when u travel. Needless to say, much white wine, gin, beer and tequila slammers later I feltvery ordinary and sounded off at one of my travveling companions well a little too much - urghhhhh the embarrassment. But it weas soon rivalled by how ill I felt the next morning - and worst of all, it was a travel day. I uttered 'Save me Jebus'a few times, but no help availed. I was to ride out my own punishment. But that was OK, as Megan (another companion) was in the same state as me. Whilst our intrepid crew visited this reknowned caves somewhere in Slovenia, Megan and I choose a nice cold piece of marble flooring in the tourist cafe area, lay down and slept off our hangovers. That cool, cool piece of marble saved my hide!

Finally we made it to Bled late in the day! Lovely Slovenian town with a chuch on an island in the middle of the lake.  First full day here was spent hiking mount vogel. Got soooo far up, but then lag effect of hangover and fear of the seemingly sheer rockface to climb helted

my ascent to the summit. Instead I choose a nice spot amongst the alpine wildflowers somewhere high among the world and chatted with Marianne my tour leader. A long hike back down provided for a very rewarding day indeed. The next day was supposed to be something like this - get up early for breakfast, hire mountain bikes, go to gorge, come back then kayak lake. In my defense, I have actually been quite stricken with a chest infection for the last 3 weeks - boo hoo. It was finally time for me to crash and burn. Day endeed up more like: Breakfast, back to bed, sitting in shade by lake with Olly, Lunch in the shade, then swimming in the lake with cohorts I stumbled across during my weak effort to walk around the lake in the searing heat!

 

Yesterday afteroon we finally arrived in Ljublijana, and still it was far too hot. But the best part was Trish (roomie from first half of trip) rejoining us for a day, as she was staying in Slovenia. We wandered around and saw the sights until a full gale blew and a ripping thunderstorm started. Luckily we were able to

sit it out at our nearby hotel. With this said. it is actually a very beautiful city. No where near the number of tourists, they say it´s like a mini Prague, I´m not sure about that. It´s beauty and elegance is different in it´s own special way. But Slovenia has been a real highligh on the tour, ewhich is always sooo brilliant when you have no expectations what so ever.

5,5 hours on the train today and I am back here in Austria typing out my travels for all to read. I am a little nervous now, as tommorrow I fly into Heathrow ready for the next challenge in my life. It feels like for the first time ever, the page is completely empty and it is up to me to write a brilliant next chapter for my life. I am renewed, not too fresh (oh lease give me laundry service) but ready to go on this voyage. The trip has taught me many things, opened my eyes to many others and given me great sense of who I am, where I am heading and who I hope to be somewhere near the end!

I will write of these adventures soon, and let

you know all the funny asides from my tour - characters, sayingss, and the ever present soundtrack of Lionel Ritchie!

Love you all

Lauren 

 

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