Slovenia/Croatia or What Shapes your world?
Dear Players,
What Shapes My World?
The title for this post was created even before we left home and resonated even more through the ten days we traveled. Why? It will unfold soon …
We planned this trip a few months ago when we originally planned to travel to Slovenia and Croatia only.
But as the old saying “Man plans, and God laughs”- The plan had to be changed, Less than two weeks before the day of our departure we learned that our flight to Ljubljana was cancelled and there was no alternative flight to get there.
We had two options. One to cancel our trip and get our money back or two -to adjust. The second we made the decision, the title of this trip was created –
What Shapes Your World?
Rigidity or flexibility?
Are you a victim of your circumstances or you can adjust and make the most of the cards you received ?
We knew we didn’t want our money back; we wanted the experience, so we decided to adjust.
It is so easy to complain, but it is always a matter of choice -of knowing what you want.
Luckily, We had a connection through Zurich, so we have decided to turn our trip into a mini-road trip driving from Zurich through Milan, Venice, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Salzburg, Munich, and, of course, visit part of the places of our initial plan that we wanted to see the most.
We had to manage within the squeezed time left after the unplanned driving.
Dolinka zip line
I use the word “luckily,” but as I write it, I am not sure luck is the right word.
There is always a different plan. It is all about the attitude that shapes your world.
Are you open-minded?
What mindset shapes your world?
The mini road trip took us through so many different landscapes and cities.
We drove through tunnels (the longest in Switzerland, 17 Km), mountains, and valleys.
We drove through deep fog and sunny green meadows.
Do you know that when you enter Slovenia and Germany you must buy a sticker for your car in order to use the highways? Otherwise you may get a fine.
In those countries, you need permission to drive on toll roads.
It made me think, what sticker shapes my world?
Do I give myself permission to travel my life on any road I choose?
Lake Zurich
On this trip. we have visited 7 major European cities – Zurich, Milan, Venice, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Salzburg and Munich.
I know it sounds crazy.
We had less than a day in every city.
Basically, we had a “first impression” type of experience, more like a “tasting menu”.
Small, delicious bites. (we visited some of the cities in the past, yet it was many years ago, and I was a different person then😉).
European cities have few similarities: beautiful churches, narrow streets, bridges over a river, castles, you know the drill.
On the surface, they are “more of the same.” Yet, they feel different.
I have tried to understand what makes one city feel like a place you want to live in or at least visit again while the other just feels OK. “check. Let’s move on..”
I believe the soul of a city is its people.
The people transform the energy of the place; they create warmth or distance you.
Since this blog is about Slovenia and Croatia, I must admit I was not particularly impressed with either Ljubljana or Zagreb.
There were not too many people in the streets. They were both just OK. I think you can allow half a day for the visit, including a break for lunch or dinner. it was enough for us
I liked Ljubljana more, maybe because of the “Burek,” a cheese pastry you could die for ..layers of dough with tasty cheese.
We had a calm and blissful time on a 45-minute tour boat on the river almost before sunset (10 euros per person); since we boarded first, we enjoyed the best seats in the front of the boat. If you plan a visit to the Ljubljana Castle, I highly recommend taking the Funicular up the hill. It is steep. (unless you really like hiking).
We also visited the famous Postojna cave which is very impressive karst cave (less than an hour drive from Ljubljana) . https://www.postojnska-jama.eu/en/. The cave is a perfect example to the beautiful result of slow processes and patience. Every drop of water counts. Patience is not my strong suit and sure thing I don’t have eternity to see my stalagmites grow . My world is shaped by mostly ..Chop Chop ,let’s do it and move on to the next thing but as every drop in the cave , I try to make any moment in life be meaningful and fully appreciated.
Although,a visit to the cave can be considered like being in nature, I prefer to be in nature above the ground.
Somewhere on the road…
We wandered in the streets in Zagreb until my son found a park with cool graffiti that I loved.
We had breakfast in a nice place https://www.bonk.hr/hr/ . (thanks to a voucher we got as part of our overnight stay) .
We ended the evening by having a drink in a local bar.
As for the food, I enjoyed the traditional Strukli, a combination of cheese and dough::what can go wrong?
Ljubljana
The visit to Ljubljana and Zagreb has reminded me that when things are just OK (but don’t have the WOW effect that I want..), it can be an opportunity to make lovely memories, slow down, and rest.
Nonetheless, the preferred energy of a place is a very personal thing.
You may find the quiet atmosphere of those cities more to your taste than the crowded, noisy Munich, Venice, or Milan.
Anyway, preferences may change occasionally, so you should be mindful of what your world needs, and plan your visit accordingly.
What is lovely about this area is that a relatively short drive can transform your stay completely. Just get in the car and drive.
Since most of the countries are in the EU, there are no borders or checkpoints.
Imagine your world without borders. Everything is possible…Mmmm.
I thought of my personal “city.”
How are the people who shape my world?
Do they spread positive energy, or do they just check “okay”
We all deserve cities in our lives that are worth “living in.”
Don’t compromise. Move to another “city” if you don’t like the energy.
As much as I was not impressed by the cities, I was awed by the beauty of nature.
My favorite place in Croatia (The real name is Hrvatska) was Plitvice Lakes https://np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/.
We spent almost an entire day there, but if you love to hike, you can spend more time.
There are a variety of trails depending on the time you have and the difficulty level.
There is something suitable for everyone, and you have many options to explore and experience the park’s beauty.
A local shuttle connects three stations, which you can use to explore the park. However, be mindful of the shuttle's time schedule.
When we got there, it was around noon, and the park ranger recommended taking the B trail, which requires between 3-4 hours.
After an hour of following his recommendation and a short orientation on the other options, we decided to make a change and take a different trail.
We found it more interesting and less crowded.
I recommend planning your walking trail ahead of time and buying the entrance ticket online. It will save you time and money.
Our experience in the lake was so much better because we took a different path.
In the beginning, we had no clue where to go, so we followed the directions, but as soon as we were familiar with the environment, we made a change.
What shapes your world?
Do you always follow others' paths, or do you create your own?
Sometimes, starting at the same place as others is excellent and necessary, but I think it is more interesting to follow your unique trail.
Zagreb
As I mentioned previously, due to the change of plans, we had to choose the most desirable places to visit in Slovenia.
After reviewing carefully all the options, we decided to spend three days in the Bled Lake area.
This decision met our expectations fully.
The area provides many options for every taste.
Hiking in the area, ziplining, visiting the Bled castle, walking through Vintgar Gorge,
taking a cable ride to the peak of Vogel Mountain, visit Bohinj Lake.
For the not-so-active types, you can have leisure time at the lake.
The area is gorgeous, but first, let’s talk about a person who didn’t receive proper acknowledgment for his invention.
His name was Istvan Lukacevic.
In 1953, he changed the face of history, and on this trip, he changed dramatically my waist 😉
He was the chef of the Park Hotel in Bled and invented the recipe for the famous Bled Kremshnita, served everywhere in Slovenia.
We ate it at the very place it was born.
My waist proves he did a very, very good job. I will carry his memory forever. :) Literally…
Plitvice Lakes
After thoroughly exploring the Kremshnita invention, we had no choice but to look for more exercise to downsize.
We had plenty of choices.
We went on a beautiful walk through the Vintgar Gorge. (30 minutes drive from the bled lake)
It is an easy walk that takes about 1.5hours,r including numerous stops to take pictures.
While walking through the gorge, which is partly narrow, partly wide, the question “What shapes your world ?” kept badgering my mind.
Is my world shaped by a rock-hard mindset? Narrow limiting beliefs? Or flow and playfulness.
Probably both, but I need to work on the balance.
I think some of the bridges need strengthening. (well, I am grateful , it doesn’t feel like an endless long tunnel in Switzerland)
Bled Lake
I love play and adventure so I always look for cool things to do.
This time it was Ziplining. We found online “dolinka Zipline” that was highly recommended.
Per their advertisement, their zip line is the longest in Europe.
I don’t know if it’s true but it was certainly long and high (the longest part was around 750 meters) and the height above the ground /river was about 80 meters. https://zipline-dolinka.si/
I have to tell you that I have a fear of heights, so Zip-lining is not like “walking in the park” for me, but I believe that our world cannot be shaped or defined by our fears but by what we love, dreams and desire,
so the only way to live is, as Susan Jeffers says, “to feel the fear and do it anyway.”
I had such a great time. It was so beautiful up there, and the adrenaline was amazing.
You are certainly rewarded when you face your fears courageously.
Vintgar Gorge
A mini road trip has one important ingredient. Music.
I usually love listening to local radio stations when we travel to absorb more of the local culture, but since we traveled in the mountains, the reception was terrible.
Fortunately, we have Spotify. I apologize for the promotion, but having all the music available in just one click is great.
My son was in charge of the music, and his choice shaped the trip’s energy.
The song,“The Nights” by Avici, which I didn’t know before, became the anthem of this trip because of its true so powerful lyrics :
When thunder clouds start pouring down
Light a fire they can’t put out
Carve your name into those shinning stars
He said, “Go venture far beyond the shores.
Don’t forsake this life of yours.
I’ll guide you home no matter where you are.”
He said, “One day, you’ll leave this world behind
So live a life you will remember.”
We did not plan this trip, but we enjoyed our new unplanned trip, and my Shape was completely changed by the endless carbs…
Is your world shaped by used patterns, the past, fears, loss, limited beliefs, tunnel vision, fog,
or
by spontaneity, play, joy, flow, mountain-high hopes, green meadows, and dreams?
You decide.
Shape your world to live a life you will remember.
listening to local radio stations when we travel to absorb more of the local culture, but the reception was bad since we traveled in the mountainsPlayfully yours,
Rina 😊
