Bled

Slovenia is a tiny country which used to be the most northern province of Yugoslavia.  They were the first to secede from Yugoslavia in 1991 after a 10 day war, and they fortunately missed most of the brutality of the Balkan Wars that followed as Yugoslavia fell apart.  Bled is a tourist resort town for Slovenians - with a beautiful lake and island surrounded by the Julian Alps, it is starting to attract more tourists from outside it's own borders.  We always have a great time here with our excellent guide Robert.

My Pletna partners.

On the way to the Otok (island).  The only one in Slovenia.

I got to sit beside Janus, the local priest in Bled.  He is holding a large wooden crucifix on his lap, and is hitching a ride on our pletna in order to hold mass in the little church on the island.  This is something that typically only happens 3 times a year (though Janus, the young new priest in Bled has made it his goal to have mass on the island 10 times a year - his regular chapel is on the "mainland").

Climbing the 99 steep steps to the top of the island.  Slovenian grooms must carry their brides up these steps to make their marriages official.  Probably a difficult task for many.

Posing in front of a pletna. 

This and the next several pictures are people ringing the "wishing bell" in the church. 

Magdalena beside a statue of Magdalena.

James and Rens discuss red coat philosophy at the top of the island.

Not really sure what to say here.

Our great group on the steps.  What a positive bunch of kids and parents!

On the pletnas back to the mainland.

This group had the youngest pletna rower - a real hot shot - always beating the other pletnas across the lake.

Rens has driving skills.

Robert and I outside of the museum in the Bled Grad (castle).

Robert explains a bit of Slovenia history.

Kim and Monica make a new Slovenian friend.

Andrew, why didn't you close the door?

Chris shakes hands with this very devout Slovenian monk.

Magdalena enjoys her time working for the monk.

Emma does as the monk says (but notice she needs to use two hands - according the the monk, she must not play hockey).


With the printmaster, who runs the Gutenberg printing press in one of the the castle rooms.