The tanghettos of Ljubljana
I was super impressed with seeing Bajofondo Tango Club in London, so when I found out that Gotan Project were playing, I just HAD to go. Only problem was, that the London show had sold out. However, during my last visit Slovenia I noticed that there was also a Gotan gig in Ljubljana - so I decided to fly there and check them out. Rok wasn't going to be there, but my friend Mateja who is also from Slovenia is living there at the moment, and she said she'd also be keen to check it out + that I could crash. So I did the math, and after counting transport, ticket costs and pound->EU conversion, seeing the concert in Slovenia would cost only 9pounds more. Concert AND a trip. DO IT!
Yes I am a groupie
So I land in Trieste (Italy) where Mateja kindly picks me up. Having seen Ljubljana before, this time sightseeing involved some more of the natural wonders of the land of dreams. So she gave me a choice - coast today and mountains tomorrow - or vice-versa. I choose the coast, cos growing up near the beach, mountains are something different for me, so I'd want more time exploring those. So we start cruising around in this gorgeous summertime weather. Gawd I live in the wrong country. First stop was a 'surprise' - the salt mills. When I was in Slovenia last time I had heard so much about this salt, and bought heaps of it (that people thought I was strange), so as a 'treat' Mateja took me to the place were the magic salt thang happens. Actually quite a popular spot - lotsa tourist buses (from Garmani jaa!). It was nice, cos the area was really quiet and tranquil. But my favourite part was the museum, which is basically a room with a salt-field recreation, and a video with some information. Oh yeah, they also had this tourist thing which would email out touristic postcards with your head. So I sent some to random @cam.ac.uk email addresses. Fun. It is probably the worst museum ever, but I did meet a peasant lady who told me of the mystical secrets of the salt.
Enlightenment - the secrets of the salt fields revealed
After salt lost it's appeal, we hit Piran, which is a Slovene coastal town. Apparently it can be quite touristy, but is really beautiful. Nice beach, nice seaside weather. Man I miss the coast - not used to landlocked lifestyle of Cambridge. Place was quite crowded at the nice beach, and parking was hard. Walking around, we saw people sunbaking on the cement, and because it was quite hot, old ladies just taking off their shirts and walking around. Europe... The town was nice, and pretty with a very villagy like feel. We climb up a hill where there is a church and a nice outlook over the coast. Finish up the daylight enjoying pizza and beer by the beach. ohhhhhhhhh ja! So different to Cam...
Next day was Sunday - mountain time. Road trippin' in Mateja's 'sports car' - dunno if you stretch the definition of a sports car to include a Peugeot 206; but it was still a sweet car for exploring. First stop - Lake Bled. I had heard a lot about this place, being one of _the_ tourist attractions of Slovenia. And for good reason, it's beautiful. We go up this mountain/castle thing (fighting through the masses of Spanish and Italian tourists) to find this amazing outlook over this church in the middle of the lake. The view was simply amazing, especially given that it was so hot - the blue/green contrasting colours. Awesome. The castle was touristy - they had an information video running on loop, but despite the place being packed, it didn't attract any visitors. Though I decided to pay my respects - for a few secs anyway. Also there was a 'print-shop' where you could have your name pressed onto various touristic style scrolls in the old traditional manner. Out the front there was a book with letters, postcards, and such that tourists had sent in thanking the master printer for his great skill creating their souvenirs. But when I went there was only some young trainee boy doing the business - I felt so disappointed that I took a photo which I am going to send to them saying how upset I was to miss out on meeting the famous craftsman himself.
After Bled, we went to a 'valley-walk', which involved walking along this path of this mountainous river through this valley. It was a great walk, nice scenery - fresh air, but with the promise of a waterfall at the end. After quite a substantial walk, we didn't find any waterfall, but merely a trickle. Nonetheless it was a really nice walk through awesome vegetation with a view into a clear stream. We stopped for lunch at a 'traditional' restaurant (Gostilna) - which from the sign offered beds, drinks, pizza, parking as well as bikers and a bus! Nice meal, though extremely salted. Oh and no male restroom is complete in Slovenia without a pornographic advertisement - yes, even in a 3-star tourist establishment.
Land of dreams? Depends on what you're into... Final bit of a the trip involved a long drive through the alps. This was amazing, mountains are so different for me. So climbing up the mountains you could feel the change in temperature/climate and even notice the vegetation changes. Unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries, so I couldn't get many pics, but the views were amazing. We drove around and found this waterfall area. We arrived just after this bus of Czech tourists, so we were kinda stuck behind them. But the hike up the mountain was no easy task. Well it was easy, maybe just a bit unsafe as often we had to strongly grip a rope to have any sort of chance of making it across. Didn't help that m y shoes kept coming undone :( Unforutnately the waterfall was kinda boring, but the hike was somewhat adventurous, so fun. Oh and at that shop I found out that my German is more easily understood than my Australian-accented English. On the way back I HAD to try Hot Horse - which is a burger joint that sells horseburgers. Was really tasty, I got all basically all the sauces, so it was hot. But the patty tasted a lot like beef; though perhaps a little more tender...
Monday - I hit up town and wondered around. Started off walking past an Interspar (supermarket) cafeteria which was absolutely packed. As in a queue almost outside of the complex. Cheap + nasty meals I hear. Then catch the bus into town, and wonder around a bit. Had an amazing lunch (more pork) but with some nice dark beer (pivo) made by a brewery Union. Though I am definitely a Laško boy (the rival brewer is Union - people say you drink Laško and piss Union, or vice-versa depending upon who you ask; though I think they're the same company now). Now my second time in Ljubljana, I started to get a feel for the place - the centre seems quite small. Granted it should, with only a population of 300k. It's still cool though with many cafes, bars and icecream places by the river. Very pretty, but maybe a boring place to live? I met up with Rok's mate Simon for a bit, and we walked around - bumping into many people he knew along the way. I'm guessing Ljubljana is kinda like Perth - with three degrees of separation between everyone in the city. Summertime is great - nice scenery (if you know what I mean :)). We walked past the venue for the concert (Gotan were playing that night) and it had a massive line for tickets. I was so happy Mateja bought ours in advance!
Sepia is sexy
So finally the concert night - we get there perhaps at the perfect time. Too late for the support act but in plenty of time before the main act. You could spot the venue a mile away, as many people were camped outside to hear the concert without going in. Mateja said that was common practice, though the organisers caught on and made the walls higher so people could only hear and not see in. Dodgy Balkans :) We line up for a bit, and just before entering I get told off for using my camera - apparently cameras (inc ultra-compacts) aren't allowed in this gig. Anyway, we go in - smash some Laškos, and after going to the toilet (where security let girls into the guys one because of the line) we push our way into the massive crowd waiting for the act. After finding a position, some guy tells me move cos he can't see (I guess). I just make some 'eh?' face. Once they started playing he says something again and I reply "I don't speak Slovene". He says "Oh ok that's fine" (in English). Weird. ahha. But yeh I was taller than most around me.
The concert was good - although a little slow. Bajofondo I guess is more of a dancy electro-tango, where as Gotan Project were (arguably) more artistic. It was great music, many musicians and awesome singers - though the prescense/stage show wasn't as good as I had expected. Still an awesome concert, dancing (well, more accurately swaying) to the tunes. Not sure if many Spanish were there (I think I was the only one screaming OTRA OTRA) but apparently there are quite a few Argentines in Ljubljana. Anyway, the concert was great and I am definately glad I went. Although it finsihed a little late, I needed to try Burek - which is an Albanian fast food, but really popular in Slovenia. We walk ages to Nobel Burek (one of the most famous) were I am treated to this amazingly oily snack. Apparently Nobel's are more oily than the general ones. I think that three bites of that burek tripled my cholesterol levels :(
A segment of Epoca
Finally it was time to leave Ljubljana. It was a really hot day, which was easily passed with a lunch of Ćevapčići, Laško and icecream. On teh way to the airport the weather started to turn a little. Mateja promised me she'd keep the weekend sunny + warm for me, and she did; so it was only fitting that it turned grey when I left. I bid adeu and check into the airport. Though our flight is delayed by 1.5 hours. Why? Because just as our EasyJet flight was to arrive, a freak thunderstorm hit (it was humid as fk) and so the people wanting to land were in a holding pattern for 50mins! Nasty. Seems I got out just in time.
Ahhhhhhh I'm SO pleased I decided to go to Slovenia for the concert - for only a bit more $$ I got to see so many tourist sights (thanks Mateja!) in addition to the concert. And not only that - sun on my skin!!!
I took many a pic with my new camera (Sony T100) - check them out!
Yes I am a groupie
So I land in Trieste (Italy) where Mateja kindly picks me up. Having seen Ljubljana before, this time sightseeing involved some more of the natural wonders of the land of dreams. So she gave me a choice - coast today and mountains tomorrow - or vice-versa. I choose the coast, cos growing up near the beach, mountains are something different for me, so I'd want more time exploring those. So we start cruising around in this gorgeous summertime weather. Gawd I live in the wrong country. First stop was a 'surprise' - the salt mills. When I was in Slovenia last time I had heard so much about this salt, and bought heaps of it (that people thought I was strange), so as a 'treat' Mateja took me to the place were the magic salt thang happens. Actually quite a popular spot - lotsa tourist buses (from Garmani jaa!). It was nice, cos the area was really quiet and tranquil. But my favourite part was the museum, which is basically a room with a salt-field recreation, and a video with some information. Oh yeah, they also had this tourist thing which would email out touristic postcards with your head. So I sent some to random @cam.ac.uk email addresses. Fun. It is probably the worst museum ever, but I did meet a peasant lady who told me of the mystical secrets of the salt.
Enlightenment - the secrets of the salt fields revealed
After salt lost it's appeal, we hit Piran, which is a Slovene coastal town. Apparently it can be quite touristy, but is really beautiful. Nice beach, nice seaside weather. Man I miss the coast - not used to landlocked lifestyle of Cambridge. Place was quite crowded at the nice beach, and parking was hard. Walking around, we saw people sunbaking on the cement, and because it was quite hot, old ladies just taking off their shirts and walking around. Europe... The town was nice, and pretty with a very villagy like feel. We climb up a hill where there is a church and a nice outlook over the coast. Finish up the daylight enjoying pizza and beer by the beach. ohhhhhhhhh ja! So different to Cam...
-749798.JPG) Chillin' in Piran |  It's hot - get off your gear and roast on the pavement |
Next day was Sunday - mountain time. Road trippin' in Mateja's 'sports car' - dunno if you stretch the definition of a sports car to include a Peugeot 206; but it was still a sweet car for exploring. First stop - Lake Bled. I had heard a lot about this place, being one of _the_ tourist attractions of Slovenia. And for good reason, it's beautiful. We go up this mountain/castle thing (fighting through the masses of Spanish and Italian tourists) to find this amazing outlook over this church in the middle of the lake. The view was simply amazing, especially given that it was so hot - the blue/green contrasting colours. Awesome. The castle was touristy - they had an information video running on loop, but despite the place being packed, it didn't attract any visitors. Though I decided to pay my respects - for a few secs anyway. Also there was a 'print-shop' where you could have your name pressed onto various touristic style scrolls in the old traditional manner. Out the front there was a book with letters, postcards, and such that tourists had sent in thanking the master printer for his great skill creating their souvenirs. But when I went there was only some young trainee boy doing the business - I felt so disappointed that I took a photo which I am going to send to them saying how upset I was to miss out on meeting the famous craftsman himself.
-780906.JPG) Beautiful Lake Bled |  SO disappointed! |
After Bled, we went to a 'valley-walk', which involved walking along this path of this mountainous river through this valley. It was a great walk, nice scenery - fresh air, but with the promise of a waterfall at the end. After quite a substantial walk, we didn't find any waterfall, but merely a trickle. Nonetheless it was a really nice walk through awesome vegetation with a view into a clear stream. We stopped for lunch at a 'traditional' restaurant (Gostilna) - which from the sign offered beds, drinks, pizza, parking as well as bikers and a bus! Nice meal, though extremely salted. Oh and no male restroom is complete in Slovenia without a pornographic advertisement - yes, even in a 3-star tourist establishment.
Land of dreams? Depends on what you're into... Final bit of a the trip involved a long drive through the alps. This was amazing, mountains are so different for me. So climbing up the mountains you could feel the change in temperature/climate and even notice the vegetation changes. Unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries, so I couldn't get many pics, but the views were amazing. We drove around and found this waterfall area. We arrived just after this bus of Czech tourists, so we were kinda stuck behind them. But the hike up the mountain was no easy task. Well it was easy, maybe just a bit unsafe as often we had to strongly grip a rope to have any sort of chance of making it across. Didn't help that m y shoes kept coming undone :( Unforutnately the waterfall was kinda boring, but the hike was somewhat adventurous, so fun. Oh and at that shop I found out that my German is more easily understood than my Australian-accented English. On the way back I HAD to try Hot Horse - which is a burger joint that sells horseburgers. Was really tasty, I got all basically all the sauces, so it was hot. But the patty tasted a lot like beef; though perhaps a little more tender...
-741968.JPG) The AMAZING waterfall at the end | -761282.JPG) Alps |  Slovene toilet entertainment |
Monday - I hit up town and wondered around. Started off walking past an Interspar (supermarket) cafeteria which was absolutely packed. As in a queue almost outside of the complex. Cheap + nasty meals I hear. Then catch the bus into town, and wonder around a bit. Had an amazing lunch (more pork) but with some nice dark beer (pivo) made by a brewery Union. Though I am definitely a Laško boy (the rival brewer is Union - people say you drink Laško and piss Union, or vice-versa depending upon who you ask; though I think they're the same company now). Now my second time in Ljubljana, I started to get a feel for the place - the centre seems quite small. Granted it should, with only a population of 300k. It's still cool though with many cafes, bars and icecream places by the river. Very pretty, but maybe a boring place to live? I met up with Rok's mate Simon for a bit, and we walked around - bumping into many people he knew along the way. I'm guessing Ljubljana is kinda like Perth - with three degrees of separation between everyone in the city. Summertime is great - nice scenery (if you know what I mean :)). We walked past the venue for the concert (Gotan were playing that night) and it had a massive line for tickets. I was so happy Mateja bought ours in advance!
Sepia is sexy
So finally the concert night - we get there perhaps at the perfect time. Too late for the support act but in plenty of time before the main act. You could spot the venue a mile away, as many people were camped outside to hear the concert without going in. Mateja said that was common practice, though the organisers caught on and made the walls higher so people could only hear and not see in. Dodgy Balkans :) We line up for a bit, and just before entering I get told off for using my camera - apparently cameras (inc ultra-compacts) aren't allowed in this gig. Anyway, we go in - smash some Laškos, and after going to the toilet (where security let girls into the guys one because of the line) we push our way into the massive crowd waiting for the act. After finding a position, some guy tells me move cos he can't see (I guess). I just make some 'eh?' face. Once they started playing he says something again and I reply "I don't speak Slovene". He says "Oh ok that's fine" (in English). Weird. ahha. But yeh I was taller than most around me.
 Mateja going crazy | -709800.JPG) Bravo! |
The concert was good - although a little slow. Bajofondo I guess is more of a dancy electro-tango, where as Gotan Project were (arguably) more artistic. It was great music, many musicians and awesome singers - though the prescense/stage show wasn't as good as I had expected. Still an awesome concert, dancing (well, more accurately swaying) to the tunes. Not sure if many Spanish were there (I think I was the only one screaming OTRA OTRA) but apparently there are quite a few Argentines in Ljubljana. Anyway, the concert was great and I am definately glad I went. Although it finsihed a little late, I needed to try Burek - which is an Albanian fast food, but really popular in Slovenia. We walk ages to Nobel Burek (one of the most famous) were I am treated to this amazingly oily snack. Apparently Nobel's are more oily than the general ones. I think that three bites of that burek tripled my cholesterol levels :(
A segment of Epoca
Finally it was time to leave Ljubljana. It was a really hot day, which was easily passed with a lunch of Ćevapčići, Laško and icecream. On teh way to the airport the weather started to turn a little. Mateja promised me she'd keep the weekend sunny + warm for me, and she did; so it was only fitting that it turned grey when I left. I bid adeu and check into the airport. Though our flight is delayed by 1.5 hours. Why? Because just as our EasyJet flight was to arrive, a freak thunderstorm hit (it was humid as fk) and so the people wanting to land were in a holding pattern for 50mins! Nasty. Seems I got out just in time.
 How could I not SMILE (pivo/beer) whilst on holidays |  Though the smile might be bigger had I mad 80's bathers |
Ahhhhhhh I'm SO pleased I decided to go to Slovenia for the concert - for only a bit more $$ I got to see so many tourist sights (thanks Mateja!) in addition to the concert. And not only that - sun on my skin!!!
I took many a pic with my new camera (Sony T100) - check them out!
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