top of page
This site was designed with the
.com
website builder. Create your website today.Start Now

I Did Not Know That

Interesting facts along the way.  Maybe not worthy of a major section of the website, but notable.  Here are a few we certainly enjoyed!

 

Planica, Slovenia



Never saw a ski jump before this trip.  And I did not expect to see anyone jumping in September (no snow).  Before our tour headed up and over the Julian Alps, we made a quick stop at Planica and watched Olympic hopefuls fly off one of several ski jumps and land gracefully on…..looked like some sort of green PLASTIC!  I held my breath when they ejected from the end of the jump, hanging in the air for the longest time and finally I exhaled when they safely came back to earth.
​
This is the largest ski jump in the world.  The location is within Slovenia borders but a short walking distance to Italy and Austria.  Another wow.  (Photos courtesy of Russ Ruda.  One of many great guys on our tour.)

Slovenia's Taste of Honey


We stopped in our tour guide’s small village near Lake Bled to view an ancient beehive and give some locally produced honey a taste test.  The art of beekeeping was perfected in the mid-1700’s by a Slovenian farmer and Slovenia has been known for their honey ever since.
​
The beehives look similar to a post office wall of post boxes, but made of wood painted with different colorful medieval style art on each “box”.  Each painted panel helps distinguish each hive.  Honey samples included a floral and a pine base.  Wow.  Extreme flavor in a good way.  Reproductions of the beehive panel art are sold in Lake Bled and Ljubljana, but like a fool I forgot to purchase.  Arggh! 

Russian Monument


Our first stop in the Julian Alps was at turn #8, included a quick hike up to a little Russian chapel.  A memorial to 10,000 Russian POWs who died building this mountain pass during World War I.  Not killed by gunfire, but rather the elements (cold and avalanche) and illness.  The chapel was built where the final casualty was found.  The wood of the chapel looks like copper.  It had that glow in the lowlight of the forest.  I had to touch it to be sure it was wood.  Beautiful and lovingly maintained.

bottom of page