4.06.2010

Exploring a Slovenian Island

The sun shone down hot and glistening as we explored Bled Island, a jewel of a spot set in a turquoise lake in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. We had wandered through medieval Bled Castle, been rowed across beautiful Lake Bled, and now, after seeing the ancient church and other buildings, we had time to wander the paths that wended along the island shore.

First we took a breather on some shady stone steps, enjoying the cool breezes that swept up from the water.


My brother Ryan and I took this beguiling pathway, utterly charmed by the lamp posts. :-)


Around a bend in the path we were thrilled to see these turquoise waters, teeming with fish, the sun shining just right to make the water seem to glow from within.


We loved these boats, and had fun making up stories of the smugglers who most certainly owned them, imagining them rowing silently to the island under cover of darkness to engage in nefarious business dealings. :-)


As we rounded the island we sighed in delight at this amazing view of the castle, church and mountains we'd explored earlier that day. All our preconceived notions of Slovenia had been obliterated by the beauty and serenity of this wonderful place.


All too soon it was time to clamber aboard our boat and be rowed back to shore. Our regrets at leaving this beautiful island were assuaged as we bobbed our way across the lake, reveling in the stunning views. Much to our delight, we discovered an open air market on the other side, brimming with handmade jewelry, woodwork and other crafts. We spent a happy time there talking with the artists in a nonsensical hodgepodge of English and Russian, and found the most lovely treasures to commemorate our trip to Lake Bled. 

Then it was time to load up our 9 passenger van and begin the drive to Ljubljana. I'll take you there next time. :-)

22 comments:

  1. You have a wonderful sense of composition Krista. Gorgeous pics as always. I would have loved to have seen what you found at the little market. But I look forward to seeing your Ljubljana pics.

    p.s. your Mom's lemon recipe might end up going head to head with Kenza's lemon mousse recipe at my house!

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  2. Oh, thank you, Paradis! :-) That means a lot to me coming from you! I was actually going to post a pic of my little treasure but I was SO tired I just didn't get to it. I will add to the beginning of the Ljubljana post. :-) I hope you like the mousse!!! It's SO good! :-)

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  3. The blue of that water is amazing. As are your photos. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. So gorgeous. The lamposts and the boats especially make me think of Narnia. It truly looks like an enchanted land!

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  5. Isn't it lovely, Mary? :-) I AM having a wonderful day, thank you. :-)

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  6. Me too, Lauryl!!! :-) That's why I loved it so much - it felt magical. :-)

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  7. This island is beautiful! From the pictures I feel as if you two are the only ones there, wandering around in a fairyland!

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  8. Your photographs are amazing! They make me want to pack my suitcase and just go somewhere new!

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  9. Beautiful. Just looking at those photos makes me feel relaxed and at peace.

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  10. That water is incredible Krista! :O Such a stunning turquoise color! And thankyou for taking us with you to countries that I've never visited before! :D

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  11. Isn't it wondrous, Joanne! :-) We really were the only ones for much of our jaunt, and it was amazing. :-)

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  12. Thank you, Kathleen! :-) I hope you get to go some adventurous very soon. :-)

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  13. I'm so glad, Valerie. :-) They do the same for me.

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  14. Isn't it glorious, Lorraine?!! I was absolutely mesmerized. :-) You are SO welcome! I love every moment of it. :-)

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  15. Absolutely gorgeous, it's great you only give us half a dozen of these images at a time so we can savour them and really enjoy them.

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  16. simply breathtaking! tom is there this week on a workshop and to check out places to live as his project there will start in June! so who knows I might be writing to you for a few tips!

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  17. Thank you, Sarah. :-) I agree completely. The fewer the images, the more I can linger and remember. :-)

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  18. Thank you, Meeta! Ohhh, that will be amazing! :-) Slovenia is so stunningly beautiful I couldn't tear my eyes away. I'm so excited to see it again through your eyes in a few months. :-)

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  19. Lovely photos! What a wonderful little trip!

    http://www.invasionista.com

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  20. Thank you, Teresa! :-) It was so lovely :-)

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  21. What beautiful photos, you're making me add to my list of places I have to visit. Naughty you. ;)

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  22. Thank you, Hilda! LOL :-) If that's naughty, I hope I am never good. :-)

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