Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia

view of homes, mountains outside our Hotel Ribno, Bled, Slovenia

Bled
We departed Austria and approached the border control to Slovenia, which was through an 8-kilometer-long tunnel on the other side of a majestic mountain range — a grand entrance into a picturesque country that was part of the former Yugoslavia. Our tour bus winded through the peaceful countryside, pristine lakes, and breathtaking mountainous scenery.

We stayed overnight at Hotel Ribno in Bled, situated in a scenic, wooded area and complete with tennis courts and a restaurant with balcony seating. After dinner there, we took a walk down the paved roads and gravel paths through a nearby neighborhood. The homes were simpler than the ones in Germany but had the similar dark wood trim and rectangular flower pots hanging from every window sill. In the air was the intoxicating aroma of what smelled like lavender and tea leaves. The sun set on the rolling hills and our magical evening.

view of Ljubljana from Ljubljanski Grad, Slovenia

Ljubljana
The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is a sea of orange rooftops and mostly uniform architecture. We took a cable car (known there as a funicular) up to the top of a hill where the castle Ljubljanski Grad sits, providing an overhead view of the city skyline. Down below are several elegant bridges, including the Dragon Bridge and Triple Bridge (three bridges side by side). In the area is a mix of historic buildings and statues as well as modern retail establishments, like H&M.

Postojna
I’ve been to plenty of caves, including the longest and largest ones in the U.S. and other countries. I thought the Postojnska Jama Cave in Postojna was the most impressive one. We took a long train ride deep into the cave and then took a walking tour. The cave has beautiful lighting that enhances the stalactite and stalagmite formations. Human fish (fish with human-like skin) reside in the cave. At the end of the tour is the cave’s “concert hall,” which is a large, open space with good acoustics for singing.

Julie at Triple Bridge, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Image via Wikipedia

For an amazing day trip from Alghero‘s Old Town, visit the spectacular sea-caves  of Neptune’s Grotto located at the promontory of Capo Caccia.  The geological wonder is located directly under the lighthouse at sea-level. This fascinating natural jewel in Sardinia‘s Mediterranean basin attracts over 150,000 visitors per year.

These marine caves are located to the west of the town of Alghero and can be reached by boat or by a steep set of stairs. The scenic boat trip on the way to the caves  includes the tranquil blue bay of Porto Conte and the spectacular vertical cliffs at Capo Caccia. The cave was once a habitat for the Mediterranean Monk Seal, which has become extinct in the area.

The caves are accessible from the sea with the “Linea Grotto” boat tour that leaves the Port of Alghero every day (weather permitting). The other option is on foot via the “Escala del Cabirol” (Billy Goat Stairs). This dramatic set of about 660 steps is cut into the side of the cliff. I have personally traveled both ways and believe me,  I definitely prefer the boat trip from the harbor of Alghero!  

 This enchanting fairy-tale underworld sea-level cave complex was discovered by fishermen in the 18th century. Dramatic lighting enhances the magical stalactites (on the ceiling) and stalagmites.

These dramatic formations create impressive shapes that resemble organ pipes and cathedral columns.

The tour begins at the great room holding the transparent waters of the Lago Lamarmora (Lake Lamarmora). This is one of the largest saltwater lakes in all of Europe.

 Admire the Acquasantiera (The Baptismal Font). This monumental stalagmite collects rain-water and serves as a vessel for birds that nest in the Capo Caccia region.

 The tour moves into the Sala delle Rovine (Room of Ruins) and then proceeds to the Majestic Reggia with impressive columns.

One of the distinctive stalagmite formations is known as the Albero di Natale (Christmas Tree). You can view the Spiaggia dei Ciottolini (Pebble Beach) and then travel to the Sala Smith (Smith Room). In this room, the Grande Organo (Great Organ) has the largest column in the entire grotto. This room was named after the English captain who  was one of the first people to explore the grotto in the early 1800′s. 

Beyond the “Great Organ” explore the columns that adorn the Sala delle Trine e dei Merletti (The Lace Room). The tour ends in the Tribuna della Musica (The Music Gallery) with a nice view of Lamarmora Lake

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

Herbal/Oil/Incense Associations:
Pea, vervain, wheat, turnip, primrose, sagebrush, alfalfa, oleander, rye, mugwort, tulip, beet, oats, fern, corn, cotton.

Stone Associations:
Turquoise, green and moss agate, black and green tourmaline, alum, stalagmite, stalactite, green calcite, salt, cat’s eye, peridot, chrysophase, olivine, coal, malachite, brown and green jasper, kunzite, jet.

Elemental Beings:
Gnomes, trolls, dwarfs, beings who live within the earth and rule over precious gems, minerals and the entirety of the Earth herself.

Animals:
Cow, bull, snakes, stags, bison, mouse.

Tarot:
The suite of Pentacles or Coins (for quite obvious reasons). The Empress, the Hierophant, the Hermit, the Devil, the World.

Gods:
Adonis, Athos, Arawn, Ceres, Cernunnos, Demeter, Dionysus, Mah, Marduk, Nephthys, Pan, Persephone, Prithivi, Rhea, Rhiannon, Tammuz.

Magical Workings:
Finances, wealth, riches, prosperity, employment, business, work, promotions, material possessions empathy, fertility, life/death, stability, success, growth, creation, agriculture, gardening, ecology, construction, buildings, food, progress.

2011 May – Phong Nha Cave, originally uploaded by anthonli.

Phong Nha Cave is situated in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
The name of the cave literally translates into room of teeth, which describes the various caverns of stalactites and stalagmites.
There are almost 300 caves scattered around the National Park, which stretches to the Laos border, but only this cave is open to public.
It’s touted as the most beautiful cave among the various complexes, but in my opinion, the beauty is marred by the artificial neon coloured lights. Personally, I’d prefer a more natural coloured light to bring out the shape and texture of the caverns and structures.

Related articles

• Travel Thursday – Lake Cave (anthonli.wordpress.com)

Perth & WA: Lake Cave, originally uploaded by anthonli.

My photos are taking an extended break from Vietnam, and what to do, I have some 200 selected photos from my trip to Perth.
Here is the beautiful Lake Cave at Margaret River, WA.
On the right is one of the only 2 known suspended tables in the world, and the only one that is available for public viewing. A suspended table is when a stalagmite meets a stalactite, and the resulting column supports a piece of the cave floor even after the rest had been eroded away. The column is currently supporting a table that is 5 ton in weight. This shows the impressive strength of limestone and really highlights how amazing our world is.

Related Articles

• Visiting the Cellar Doors in Margaret River – Margaret River, Australia (travelpod.com)

No, not the foreground… that’s the Old Maiden Aunt ‘Midnight Owl’ that I used to such great effect in my recent ‘Chipmunk’ adventure. No, not that (although it would of course make a lovely pair of socks!). I’m talking about the other skein of green perfection that is the Wollmeise! Purchased last year at Knit Nation it’s been calling out regularly and has been considered for all manner of cowls, shawls, scarves and other 1 skein projects that would show off it’s wonderful shade of slightly limey, mossy green which is labelled ‘Pistazie’ (Pistachio). But hey, why not go completely wild and use sock yarn to knit… socks!?

It’s wound… and the 2.5mm Nova dpns are poised…

It even coordinates perfectly with the book cover

Let the battle commence!

(I hoping for something like this…)

Inside Meramec Caverns.  Stanton, Missouri.  August, 2003.

28 June:
I’m pretty sure Emma and I got up this day… and did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!
Yeah we’re pretty awesome like that. I met Em’s friend Laura. We all sat around in our “pajammies” and ate more junk food and watched movies.
I saw Hide and Seek for the first time.

29 June:

Part of the "Three Sisters"

Shed on a "car sick" stop

We went to the Raspberry farm land had lunch there I went before last time. I had an open burger which proved to be in a Sarah way, more difficult than planned

Raspberry Farm Cafe

Back of the Rasberry Farm

We also finally reached our destination: The Old Tudor Inn it was very 70′s. Then we went to see my Great Grandpa, Pa Tom and had tea/coffee with him. Then took him out to see some people.

Glenara Lakes, Pa Tom's home

Pa Tom's Door

Our Beloved Pa Tom

A photo of Nan and Pa Tom that I have ALWAYS LOVED. You can see how much they loved eachotehr

Unfortunately that didn’t work out. So we took Pa Tom out to eat at another Bistro.
I got to see a few family members. Bill and Pat, David and Ros… and a couple of others.
We went the casino Again I’ve been there last time. I also got some cards from graduation.
Ros gave me a hand painted silk scarf and a good-luck-stone. I heart her.
There was another gallery in the casino, and Dad, Briony and I looked at it. Dad was Dad.

The Casino in Punchbowl

Photo of the Family

30 June:

Random Dog looking out in launceston

Dad tells me that'

Another visiting day
We ate lunch at another Bistro. It was just off of the shore, so I got to take more photos.

Harbor in Launceston outside of the Bistro

Harbor Photo, For Sale

The Bistro we ate at, Dear Donny infront

I took it 'casue I couldn't bring it back to add to my collection back home

We went to see family again, this time a cousin of my Grandma, Betty, and her husband Ray. They were really funny
She fed the birds outside her house a huge chunk of bread and I got to take photos of the birdies! I love birds.

The Birds eating:)

This photo always makes me think of my best friends

The family at Betty and Ray's

W e had Tea with a friend of my mum’s and I drew her husband as a gift… didn’t take a photo of it sorry :\

01 July:

The started off heading to Ben Loman (SP?) which is a mountain by the way. It was super pretty, and there was a lot more snow than I planned on.
So as it ends up I wasn’t dressed for it at all. We ate up there at the top of the very cold and icy mountain.
We had brought Pa Tom with us… I was really impressed that even at 93 (or so) he is doing just fine with walking and stuff.

We took dear Pa Tom home after that, and back to our room.
We went out for Chinese for dinner… it wasn’t the same as home, but still good

Unfortunately it made me really sad, for reasons of my own. I really don’t like getting like that and I’m really trying hard not to do it… :\
When we went back to the room I got really quiet and just watched the game that was on (Australian Rules Footy [football]). Mum’s team won.
I ended up taking two sleeping Dietary Supplement pills to help me sleep since I’ve had trouble sleeping again…. I hate nights like that. I hate feeling like I’m lying and keeping secrets.
I don’t like living like that.
I wish it were socially acceptable to just say what I think or feel.

So yeah, I’m beginning to question how removed I really have to be.
How terribly wrong could things go if I just said what I was thinking, did what I wanted to?
Do I have to act a certain way because society expects it of me? Because people expect it of me?
Or am I allowed to be brutally honest with the way things are?
Am I allowed to say that even though I am in my favorite place in the world… it no longer is the home it once was?
Am I allowed to say that I’m miserable deep down? Is it okay to say that I don’t really want to go back to where I live… I want to move away and not go back.
Or maybe I should just continue to put on a face and smile when people talk about it and pretend I’m okay with it… maybe I’ve gone and said too much… But everyone seems to have it all wrong anyway.

^(Edit: I might be bipolar )

02 July:

We left the room at about 10, and went to see more family (Jennette and Ken). They own an alpaca farm, so we went to their shop at this craft place.
I tried on a nice hat, but unfortunately didn’t get it.

Then we went to a café, it was delicious. I had a Guinness beef meat pie, ham Quiche, and an ice coffee

On the way back we went to a beef shop (Swift) to the people we visited on our second night.

Then we stopped at John Temple’s Gallery (for my second time).
We also went to a chocolate factory (Anvers) to get some chocolate truffles (I’m thinking of you Manda!).

We also stopped at this Aboriginal place, while my Grandma was at an appointment. (I saw an old hospital that I loved across the street, but anyway). I took loads of photos there, and decided I would sell my photos to help raise funds for my next international trip

We went back for Grandma, and went home to Burnie.
I was going to go out to a club with Loren, but it didn’t work out… so I’m back with Emma at her house
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels always makes me think of Sammi, and it is exactly what we watched

Update:
Had a dream again.
One of those that are really awesome and then you wake to remember it was just a dream and that reality isn’t fair. “Life’s not fair” I know it, we hear it, but sometimes I wonder why can’t we help make it something close to fair?

03 July:
It’s not what I wanted it to be.

Woke up and got ready to go for the day.
I was super tired… and got quiet again. Emma was concerned about me. She asked, and really it was mostly that I was really tired… but we all know that there’s more to it than just that. And she knows it more than most.
I love my Emmamama
We went to Leven Canyon and I got to see some really pretty things, that always makes me happy.

We had lunch there. I was feeling really ill before we left there so I slept in the car on the way to Gunns Plains Caves, and felt better once I woke up.
The caves were real cool. The Don got into trouble Our toured guide had a sense of humor all of her own. Brody thought she was weird. I didn’t notice

Then back to Grandma and Poppy’s for tea and had chicken and chips
We decided to have a girls night at Loren’s so we all (Loren, Emma, and Briony) stayed at Loren’s, and it was just us
We played Uno, watched Over the Hedge and ate yummy food. (Loren and I made a run to Woolworth’s to get “biccies” and I stocked up on chocolate and “lollies”).
It was a very late night for dear sister… and we had to be up and around by ten for dear Uncle Andrew to come pick ups up for our next day trip.

04 June:
We got around just fine, and we left for Grandma and Poppy’s and we went to “the nut” to neat tea.
I’ve been there before nine years ago! But the shop we were wanting to get fish and chips from wasn’t open, so we went to the Stanly Hotel Bistro. Mmm. I enjoyed my food, as I always do.

Then we stopped a few places for photos.

We went to Grandma and Poppy’s while Auntie Debby cooked tea at her house.
I met Mum’s cousin Sean who was visiting along with his wife and kids…
Again at Em’s for tea and staying the night.
Movies again… the junk food will have to wait. I have a food baby.

We have ended up having fun and putting on face masks (yeah those green goopy kind) and took funny photos and stuff
We’re beautiful

Farwell for now my dears. I will write again soon as I can

There are no rocks, no hills, no greenery, no nothing! Absolute barren stretches all along. All of the long road, for the next 3 kms is visible right from here, and there is no sign of life. As the cab travels along the totally nondescript, long and straight road, bordered with nothing, you can’t help but doze off into dreams of wandering in lonely deserts in search of food and water, with strange lizards and cruel cacti looking on. The sun glares at your face, and you wonder what brought you here, of all places.

That will be how you can describe the journey in most parts of the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The journey to Belum caves was nothing different either. Approximately 275 kms from Bangalore, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh lie the longest caves in the plains of India – the Belum caves.

In no man’s land, these caves pop up suddenly out of nowhere. Actually, they don’t even pop up. They are completely underground. Even when you purchase the entry ticket for this natural wonder, you would just be wondering where the caves are. Then as you enter the caves and move further, you realize slowly, they were right beneath your feet!

The caves are a natural formation of limestone deposits that cause interesting structures over the passage of time – a process that takes millions of years. Stalactite and Stalagmite formations can be found here. A completely underground passage way, large chambers and wonderful rock formations have been formed here, which is the reason for the tourist attraction.

These caves are the second longest in India (the longest ones measuring about 22 kms are Krem Liat Prah in the Jaintia hills of Meghalaya). As there is a lot of information about these caves on the net, I will just give you some travel tips.

• The caves are totally worth the visit. If you are somewhere around the region in Andhra, definitely make it a point to visit here.

• The total walk inside the caves is around 2 kms. It is hot (Outside air is pumped inside using compressors. Still you feel the heat). You will sweat like hell. Carry a towel to wipe yourself out. It is absolutely necessary.

• It is not advisable to drive here. Because, you might doze off as I had already mentioned. There is absolutely nothing scenic on the highway. You can see the road as far as your eyes can reach, and you can see nothing! Take a cab!

• Guides are available at the entrance. They take Rs.10. Hire one of them. One, they carry a torch to show you the way. Two, they tell you a lot of stories about the caves.

• Some places in the caves need some acrobatics to reach. Sometime you might have to crawl. Not too frightening. It might be difficult for the aged.

• There is no accommodation near the caves. You have to stay at Anantapur or Kurnool. Nandyal is also a nice place to stay. The caves are about 75 kms from Nandyal. Food is served in a small restaurant near the caves. Don’t expect too much – simple, tasty Andhra meals are served.

Now, over to the pics…

Entrance to the caves

Vinoth, Rahul and Karthik

A game of hands

Rahul, the devil

Near a man-made fountain

Details on the ceiling

Vinoth looking on

A secret passage

Details on the ceiling

Karthik posing

An underground chamber

Buddha statue outside on the plains

Karthik falling in

Enjoy maadi…!

6:00 AM. Wake up call. We have a very busy day ahead of us. We have to explore the wonders of Sagada. There are so many sites, but we have only a day.

We need the help of a guide. We met a tour group, who came one day ahead of us, and a member also was quite a fan of Sagada, who has come back to Sagada thrice already. We joined them in their destination for the day, which was the Big Falls, or Bomod-ok Falls.

Call time was 8:00 and we had to hurry our preparation. We ate our breakfast and went to the Municipal Information Center to fetch our guide. We were told that there was a ritual going on at the falls and we cannot visit that site, instead we will go to the small falls only. We were saddened by the turnout of event for we cannot see the big falls, which was a popular tour site in Sagada. Later, a news came that the ritual was already finished and we can now go to the Big Falls. Whew … we thought that we cannot see the view. We waited for a jeep, but we were told that the jeep will still have to be filled before it will leave the terminal. Since we only have limited time, we cannot wait long, so the tour group decided to ride our motorcycles. There were eleven of us, with only four motorcycles, meaning three of us will have two backrides and the fourth, one. We left the town center and headed to the drop-off point for the falls. We parked our motorcycles and secured them before leaving. We started our trek down to the falls.

At the beginning, we were very jolly following our tour guide, Kuya Fred. But, after several minutes of walk, we constantly asked the annoying question of Donkey of Shrek, “are we there yet?” We reached the town below and we had ourselves registered.

Then we continued our walk to the falls. After more than an hour of walk, we had the glimpse of the very beautiful view of the Big Falls. The awesome picture of Mother Nature, at its best.

We hopped through several big rocks before reaching the water. We took several pictures of the falls and enjoyed the awesome view. We took a dip, the water was very cold. Brrrrr. At

10:30 AM, we prepared and started to trek back to the drop off point. If the trek down took us an hour, the trek up an hour and a half. The heat of the sun, and the walk exhausted us. We went back to the center and ate our lunch. After lunch, we went back to our inn and rested for an hour. After the rest, we called our guide and prepared for the next tour, the Sumaging Cave.

We met our tour guide and headed for the cave. Before the cave, we passed through the burial site and took pictures of the hanging coffins and the regular small coffins at the Lumiang Burial Site.

After that, we went to the Sumaging Cave. Our guide prepared the gas lamp and we started our descent to the cave. We were very excited because we saw several pictures of the cave and we want to experience ourselves spelunking in the cave.

The rocks inside are slippery because of the filthy bat feces and we had to take caution in going down. It took us some time before seeing the rock formations inside. Again, we were amazed by the beauty of Mother Nature.

Imagine the rocks inside the cave, carved by water flowing through it, crafting every stalactite and stalagmite hanging on the ceiling, wall and ground of the cave. Very awesome view. We took several pictures of the rock formations and we were very satisfied with our day’s tour.

The King’s Crown

Cave Wonder

Lending a Hand

Tug of War

Saint Ehrbie

Stalactites and Stalagmites

The Boy Band

Here we Come

Making it Through

Slipping Through

Crevices

The Boy Band / Cavemen

Going Down

Foggy Chilling Waters

Protecting My Bone

Clear Waters

The Tunnel

We were out of the cave at around 7:30 and started heading home again for a quick shower. We took our dinner and went back to our room. We packed our things and prepared for the day’s rest. We were very tired, and we need to wake up early for the trip home. Whew … more tiring Day 2

It sorta reminds me of jenolan caves where it was once so beautiful, but because of human disturbance, and unthoughtful, and careless handling resulted in the degradation of the stalagmites and stalactites.

Now I feel like visiting jenolan caves again, though I want to visit the undisturbed caves. Funny with that though, cause they can only be undisturbed until you enter the cave. Maybe I should consider getting a divers license and visit the under water caves? Disturb how you may, but there is no oxygen or carbon dioxide to degrade there color rendering of there formations.

If something was to happen, I would be glad to finish off my days in the calm and peaceful enclosure surrounded by these beautiful undisturbed formations, and hopefully stay as undisturbed as them where my existence slowly diminish and distinguished like the end of a burning candle.

Yes gum and these formations have nothing in common, but that shows to what extent my thinking takes me. On a journey of endlessness.

ViPmE© – Where Imagination Begins to Take Place™®

The one thing I am blown away with is that, as huge as this man-woman is, whenever they walk through the store, no one, at all, ever sees them. It can be ten seconds later, and I ask, “Did you see a giant, giant fat drag-queen just walk by with two other giant fat women?” “No.” It is utter insanity that these shoplifters are such masters of illusion that they are totally invisible to the naked eye, because to me, they stand out like a beached whale at a sushi-bar. Or, perhaps my coworkers are chosen for the fact they see about as well in bright-daylight as bats, whom only use sonar and would consider these shoplifters just gigantic stalagmites in their way, similar to pillars. Since they are such skillful ninjas, they often just steal entire tables worth of clothing, and then disappear, without a single person seeing them–other than I. Seriously?

One day, we had a major project, and nearly the entire staff was working. I’m talking about one person every ten-feet. The shoplifters chose a really bad day to come in. I greet them as usual, and they, as usual, decide to split up and walk away from me–I can’t follow them all, right? I laugh, pulling out my walkie-talkie. Each and every one of my blind-as-moles coworkers received a very loud, “Hey, turn to the left!” I call out their name. They look up and find a giant drag-queen or a fat woman, whom jumps in surprise, and starts to bounce away like a pinball. I continue doing this for a little while more, then call out to them, “Bad day to come in, the entire staff is here and they all know what you look like now. Congratulations!” I went on to announce the presence of our most infamous shoplifters, whom have stolen hundreds of work-hours worth of clothing from my coworkers bank-accounts to pay for rent, food, and survive. They all turn to look at the drag-queen and his cohorts as they quickly leave, scowling at me.

“Thanks for coming, please come again!” I tell them as they leave. “At least they know what you look like now.”

Nature creates wonderful sculptures like this Ice Princess.

This picture is one of many more taken at a cave in Bavaria/Germany. Water created many, many more stalagmites made of ice, creating various different shapes of sculptures. This is one of my most favorite.

The Ice Princess first appeared Olaf Bathke’s Blog.
It’s in German, but just go and have a look by yourself. The simple question is what do you see in the photos? Would be happy to hear what you think!