July 10: Blessed in Bled
I don’t know if it’s possible to be more deliriously happy than I am now. My Slovenian lodging in an old church parish on the banks of a stunning blue lake has homemade ice cream on the front porch and is in walking distance to a store with my favorite snack as well as an outstanding restaurant with fresh local food.
I probably lingered longer than I should have at breakfast. But it was so relaxing and restful to sit on the terrace of the Ambra Hotel right on the edge of Lake Iseo, reading a book by one of my top authors, looking at the sailboats bobbing on the edge of the bank, and eating perfectly cooked eggs and bacon. This establishment is the only one located within the city’s pedestrian zone and allows motorcyclists to park out front. What a find!
In planning my route east, I had elected to take the fastest route to Slovenia, allowing me to reach my lodging there in time to enjoy the quaint village on the banks of Lake Bled and avoid the cost of another night in Italy during high tourist season.
Traveling several hours through northern Italy in smoggy, humid, and hot weather was made more bearable with my cooler vest. Stopping every hour and a half at an air-conditioned gas station to refresh the vest with cold water also made the journey much more manageable. The views of vineyards, corn fields, and other crops surrounding white and tan buildings with tiled roofs were quite pleasant.
I think I fell in love with Slovenia immediately when I entered the country. I could feel the air was fresher and cooler, and I noticed the rolling foothills of the Julian Alps all around me covered with lush green vegetation. Little villages clustered on the sides of the mountains all sported church spires, standing tall above the collections of charming older buildings. How inspiring!
Arriving at my destination for the night, I worked my way through the quaint narrow winding streets past local eateries to The Old Parish, a hotel located right above the banks of Lake Bled and situated next to the Church of St. Martin. Parking the bike, I could see a glimpse of the bright aquamarine colored glacial fed body of water through the surrounding trees.
After unpacking, I snacked on a cup of hotel’s homemade ice cream created from local milk, walnuts, and pumpkin oil while walking through the enchanting village. I was delighted to discover that the small grocery store near my lodging carried low fat skyr, a dairy delight similar to yogurt that originated in Iceland. This product along with fresh fruit is my favorite late-night snack and breakfast treat while on the road.
Once situated, I explored along the lake and then treated myself to a delicious dinner of local Slovenian food at Restaurant and Wine Bar Murka. After carefully prying away the fresh meat on my lamb shank with a fork and knife, I decided I couldn’t resist grabbing the bone with my hand and biting the remaining bits off with my teeth. What a day!
