Ljubljana

Dragon on one of the bridges in Ljubjana

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia with a population of 280 000 people. It is a small, friendly city on the Ljubljana River. Slovenia was formally a part of the old Yugoslavia. It has borders with Austria, Italy, Croatia and Hungary. It was the first country to declare its independence in 1991.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

I had wanted to go to Dubrovnik for a very long time. However I was concerned that it would disappoint as did Carcassonne and Sorrento. When I visited both these cities I felt that I had come 30 years too late. Too crowded, too many in your face tourist shops. Where was the real community?

Dubrovnik town wall

Dubrovnik was certainly crowded but somehow it was different. I stayed outside the old town, 10 minutes away by bus in a resort hotel on the sea. This was chosen as I thought after 4 weeks of train travel I would need a rest. I was able to swim and just gaze at the sea.

But I visited the old town on 5 occasions and of course walked around the wall and attended a concert as part of the Summer Festival.

Mostar

Bridge at Mostar

Rebuilt Old Bridge Mostar

Stari Most (English: Old Bridge) is the enduring image of Mostar in Bosnia Herzegovina. The 16th-century Ottoman bridge crossed the river Neretva and connected two parts of the city until it was destroyed in the war in November 1993. This is the reconstructed bridge opened in 2004.

A Day in Sarajevo

What did I know about Sarajevo? I knew about that event in 1914 which set in motion the First World War. I knew about the Winter Olympics in the 1980s and I knew a bit about the siege of Sarajevo 1992-1995. But only a bit.

Mosque

I had no idea that Sarajevo was a cross roads between East and West for centuries. The Ghazi Husrev-Bey’s Mosque was built in 1531 at the same time the Orthodox Church was being built and the Catholic Cathedral renovated. Things seem to have gone badly wrong since.

Budapest

Giant wheel newly put in a park in the middle of Budapest

I visited Budapest for 1 day in 2012 and wanted to spend more time in this lovely city.
I met up with Gery an exchange student who lived with us in 1997 and his parents, who took me on this wheel so I could see their city.

One of the 15 indoor pools.

Temperature of indoor pools from 32 to 38 degrees. C

Szechenyi Medicinal Bath

Foyer

One of the 3 outdoor pools.

I spent a delightful morning  with Madgi experiencing the famous Szechenyi Medicinal Bath. I tried 4 indoor pools, the sauna and 2 outdoor pools as well as the coffee and cake.

Brasov

Bran Castle known as Dracula’s Castle

I had no inclination to visit Romania. But I was to end my tour in Istanbul and I wanted to go to Budapest by train so why not stop in Romania.
I am so glad I did. I had very positive experiences.

Train Travel Romania

Memorial to 1989 Revolution

I like travelling by train, I like the fact that trains are on the ground, you can see what you are what you are passing, you can move around, the seats have leg room , you don’t need to go through the hoops of airport security where your toothpaste or water can be tossed in the bin and trains go very often from the centre of cities.
I have had enjoyable, generally comfortable and interesting trips by train in Europe.

Bosphorus Express

Istanbul Station

I am now on part 2 of my trip, DIY Orient Express, Istanbul to Vienna.

Orient Express Restaurant Istanbul Station

Dress code is not what it used to be.

We left Istanbul at 10 pm by bus due to track work to the border. We reached the border at 2 am and then had 2 hours at border re passports etc. Then I and about 15 others board train which left at 4 pm. I had booked a 2nd class sleeper which was to have 3 female occupants however I was the only one in my compartment. Train is 3 carriages including one sleeper with me and about 7 others and person who kept announcing ‘ I am shaffer conductor.’ He was wearing shorts, loose shirt and sandals. Compartment had 3 beds with white sheets, doona and pillow.