Bled

Another beautiful day in Europe - this time we spent the day in the part of the former communist state of Yugoslavia - Slovenia.  Lake Bled is a beautiful resort village located in the Julian Alps in the north of this tiny country.  We had the great fortune to have Robert Wilfan, a local guide and pletna captain, escort us for the day. 

Anze Kopitar and the Stanley Cup heading out on Lake Bled.  Robert got to take him out there.  He said Kopitar ate a kind of local porridge out of the cup while it was in his possession back in 2012. 

Getting ready for our journey across the lake.

We needed three full pletnas to transport all of us.

It was a beautiful day!

Lunch on Slovenia's only island.

Magdalena and her bell tower.

Usually Kasmira is taller than Magdalena.

Robert demonstrates the "wishing bell" in the island church.

The church is small but beautiful.

An interesting fresco depicting the circumcision of the Jewish infant Jesus.

At the castle overlooking the lake.

You shoot me, I shoot you.

The proud Slovenian flag, with a picture of Slovenia's highest peak - Mount Triglav on it.  We could see Triglav from the castle.

Myself and my friend Robert.

Lots of photos taken up here.

Robert explains more of the history of the region inside the castle museum.

The pressman demonstrates the use of the Gutenberg printing press and lets the kids have a try at it.

Kasmira likes the jokes the wine-crazed monk makes in the the castles wine cellar.

He shows her the process for bottling the wine.  Here she is corking the bottle.

On our afternoon walk around the entire lake.

The Slovenians have a proud history of rowing championships, including Olympic medals.  They train here on Lake Bled.

I just really like this guy's name.  Plus, cool mustache!