Europe 2011 # 2

FROM VIENNA TO LAKE BLED:  We were sorry to leave Vienna as I felt a real affinity for the people.  After all each person seemed to (1) drive a Mercedes; (2) speak English: and (3) eat at least 3 cones of ice cream per day.

SLOVENIA:  We left early yesterday morning to drive through the Alps to the village of Lake Bled.  Slovenia (not to be confused with Slovakia) is a spectacularly beautiful country.  It only has a population of about 2 million, yet fiercely maintains its own language.  After arrival at our lakeside hotel we first climbed to the castle.  As it was Saturday there was a wedding taking place and it was interesting to see the Castle Master opening bottles of champagne with his sword.  We then visited the castle wine cellar and made some purchases.  Next we crossed the lake to visit the church on a small island.  As powerboats are not allowed on the lake we were rowed across.  There were 23 passengers and only one boatswain doing the rowing. 

To get to the church one had to climb the 99 steps.  A Slovenian custom is that a groom must carry his bride up the 99 steps.  We did see a Japanese tourist complete this feat.  On the other hand I fear that if I were a Slovenian I would still be a bachelor.

This morning we took a cable car up to near the mountain top and then we visited a couple of small farming villages. The scenery is much like that of Switzerland but perhaps even more spectacular.

WINE:  The wine in Slovenian is mostly merlot and much superior to that of Austria.  In fact it is more like new world wine and if I were tasting blind I would think it was from Chile or Argentina.

FOOD:  We are skipping this afternoon's tour in favor of a liesurely lunch and a walk around the lake.  We ate at a lakeside restaurant and had trout fresh caught from the lake itself.  On the other hand, many of our meals are included in the tour.  Unfortunately, they seem to be too frequently buffets.  I think of buffets as something for the gastromically challenged.  While watching people last night I was reminded of the neighbourhood cats coming to my compost pile.  We feel great nostalgia for the meals on the cruiseships.

HUMOR:  Slovenians have a very dry sense of humor.  At the wine cellar yesterday I asked to see the master's best red.  His comment was "Not after what Canada did to Slovenia in hockey".  At lunch today, Betty asked our waiter "what comes with the trout?"  His deadpan response was "a plate."

LEAVING SLOVENIA:  Tomorrow we go to Croatia but we will be very sorry to leave this fantastic country.  When paying the bill at lunch today the waiter asked us where we were from.  When I said "Canada" he said "then we must have a drink together, come with me."  We walked into the restaraunt from our patio table.  He walked behind the bar and poured 3 glasses of some local liquor.  After quickly downing the liquid, he returned to his work and we walked back to the hotel.