Sept 21 2024 Saturday

Travel to Ljubljana, Slovenia

A very long day. We left Egarterhof at 8:15 am and had four trains to catch before reaching Ljubljana train station at 8:34 pm. Trains were crowded since it is a weekend. Our route backtracks through Italy to Brenner Pass, then crosses into Austria, then Germany, and finally into Slovenia.

Not impressive stats: less than a mile of walking. Lots of sitting and shlepping luggage.

Click for Richard’s Relive video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vQvxQNWdM9O

It would be good to have one last look at the mountains but where are they this morning?
Lilly is keeping track of the comings and goings, as usual.
A farmer’s work is never done. Off to get a bale of hay.
Ready for the suitcases and our ride down the mountain to the train station.
San Candido station.
One last view from the train up to the three peaks.
Train pictures. Always a church spire among the homes.
Walkers, like these two holding hands, are out enjoying the morning.
More train views admiring the elevated highway.
Near Brenner Pass.
Mountains above Innsbruck.
We have been hearing of flooding after the storms of the last two weeks. Although not flooding here, we can see evidence of raging rivers.
Sheep are enjoying grazing. How do they ever balance on that steep hill?
As the trains continue to descend, the valleys continue to be green and sunset is hidden by the mountains.
Another last look at snow.
Often the train would speed past a castle before I could catch a snapshot. Finally I got one!
New friends Luis Alfredo and Arturo (l-r) made the final train two-hour trip to Ljubljana fly by. They are from Lima, Peru, on a vacation to celebrate their 30th birthdays. Arturo just celebrated in Vienna with sachet torte, and they will be joined by another Peruvian friend and will celebrate Luis Alfredo’s birthday on Santorini next week.
Our train has finally arrived in Ljubljana. Goodbye to new friends and off to our accommodation.

10 Responses

    1. We have been keeping an eye on the weather but it looks okay. Arturo and Luis Alfredo just left Vienna yesterday and they said it was fine although they heard that the week before had been bad. The Danube in Budapest has been very high but is supposed to start dropping tomorrow and we don’t get there until late in the week. We have already adjusted for weather and will do so again if necessary for safety.

  2. Sounded like a busy day of travel. Sort of nice you got to take in the sights / memories from the earlier walks. So glad everything has gone so well up to now.

  3. It was definitely busy and a bit more stressful managing luggage with weekend travelers. It’s all the more special when you meet new friends with whom to pass the time, and that’s just another of the surprising joys of travel.

  4. You’re bringing us fond memories (especially of Ljubljana tomorrow -LOL)
    Have questions for Rich upon your return, one particularly of his use of Relive, using the app for hours without
    running out of juice. When I use Relive on my bike it soaks up juice on my phone quickly…there must be
    a solution that Rich is privy to 😉 Thank you for all your photos.

    1. (From Richard). I’m using an Apple Watch with Relive on my iphone. I just do an activity on my watch while on a hike/train ride and whenever we stop for a break, top off the watch battery if necessary. My new watch will go about 10 hours without topping off while doing an activity. When we return to our hotel room, I run Relive on my iPhone and import the activity automatically to make the video. Let’s have coffee or a meal together when I get home and we can share tips and experiences.

  5. I just took an train ride-ride with you often with amazing views of the Alps reigning in the background. They as as spectacular as the towns are quaint and full of history. I wonder if the churches are as well attended as the markets. Both seem to be in good repair. and quite beautiful. I’m looking forward to visiting Budapest. Apparently the hiking is behind you. One hundred year old Dorothy has arranged for Ceila and me to come to her house for a hymn sing tomorrow. Better go vocalize.

    1. You raise a good question about church attendance compared to market shopping. We have not attended a mass but when we discover one being celebrated, we know there are folks attending but we do not enter. I suspect that they have similar problems as the US—there are loyal attendees but not much growth in numbers. Many churches are in good repair but they often have campaigns for some maintenance. We were disappointed that the St. James Church in Ljubljana, on the Camino way, was both in disrepair and was only open for a short time before the daily mass.
      Our all-day walks have ended as our trek over the pass between Sölden Austria and Merano Italy was cancelled for the early snow. We do still walk nearly everywhere so if the city is spread out, we have some walking to do. Ljubljana was a particularly wonderful pedestrian-friendly city with most sights close together in the old town. Budapest is much more spread out so there is more walking and dodging traffic.
      I am very happy to hear you mention Dorothy—please give both Celia and Dorothy our regards (also Ruth Marie!)

  6. I just took an train ride-ride with you often with amazing views of the Alps reigning in the background. They as as spectacular as the towns are quaint and full of history. I wonder if the churches are as well attended as the markets. Both seem to be in good repair. and quite beautiful. I’m looking forward to visiting Budapest. Apparently the hiking is behind you. One hundred year old Dorothy has arranged for Ceila and me to come to her house for a hymn sing tomorrow. Better go vocalize.

  7. Sorry, I see we need to sign our notes to you, though you probably have fun figuing ot who is reaching out to you…a far reach.

    Dave