Koper, Slovenia – August 7

Overcast, but still hot…32 degrees, 58% humidity

Part one of today’s activities is a visit

caves

to Škocjan Caves – a system of caves including one of the world’s largest underground chambers, waterfalls and a massive river canyon. We

post cave hike beer

drove about 30 minutes to the caves.

post cave beer

Once the tour started we walked through a dense forest down a significant decline but still not in the caves. Once the group of us (about 50) got to the mouth of the cave we entered with a guide who gave us minimal information along the 90 minute walk

daylight again

through the massive caves system. The ship described this tour as ‘3 person’ – meaning ‘strenuous’ and it was. Most of the walking surface was solid, but there were mostly stairs up or down or a significant incline or decline. The Fitbit said 39 floors by the time we were done. We were also told to wear closed toed shoes and that it would be cool…12 degrees and to maybe bring a sweater. We wore sneakers…good idea, but thought 12 degrees wouldn’t be took cold for us…we were right, it was

could have stayed here all day!

cool, but comfortable.

This place was pretty awesome. It was very well developed for tourists as far as good pathways, stairs and handrails, but that was about it. At one point on our visit we met up with the raging river that carved this cave. We really couldn’t see much of it, but we certainly heard it! It was awesome…the sound or rushing water was terrific. Once we were out of the caves, we had to make our way back to

waterfall

the busses. This meant either a hike or hike/funicular ride. Our guide recommended the hike/funicular. We did that and had time for a beer. We were the first

hmmm...more beer

to arrive at the little café…the guide said we beat the record. There are salamanders that live in these caves apparently called human fish they live in the caves all their lives in darkness and have no eyes.

It was nice that we were up before everyone else because we had time for a ‘homemade’ beer. It was delicious after the caves and

Slovenian cider

hike…3.5 euros about 5.50/6.00.

The second part of the tour was a stop at a private home nearby to sample Slovenian wines and snacks – this place was lovely. It was very simple, but lovely. There was wine,

buying salt

meats, cheeses, olive oil, tomatoes and more. The atmosphere was calm and shaded. This shade, in addition to the clouds and wine and snacks was glorious. It wasn’t all magical…in one room of the winery there was a naked lady calendar! Can’t say we see that each time we visit a winery!

funny

This family also made their own salt, which we bought a sack of.

caves!!

 

Visiting Slovenia was a bit of a switch for us, it felt a bit different. Today, I didn’t feel that I was putting people

out when I wasn’t able to speak their language, the place wasn’t thronging with tourists and there seemed to be what more actual locals than tourists – it was refreshing. Obviously I’m a tourist and I do mainly ‘touristy’ things and expect places to be full of tourists – I even did

touristy things today, there was just a different feeling – there was a bit of a small town feeling today. I don’t necessarily prefer one over the other, but it was different.