17th July - Plitvice National Park (Croatia) to Tolmin (Slovenia)
This morning I enjoyed a basic Croatian hotel breakfast and headed out quickly to see the lower section of the Plitvice Lakes. As expected, after yesterday's scenery, the Lakes were spectacular.
Enjoy the photos please (rest assured there are heaps more photos I could have included):
Lower Plitvice National Park
Plitvice National Park - Boat trip back to the Visitor's Centre near the Hotel
Plitvice National Park - Hotel Plitvice
The day had been fabulous for viewing the Lower Lakes and was shaping up to be a beautiful day for riding too. After loading up the bike I was ready to make my way towards Slovenia.
Once again the roads out of Plitvice National Park towards Slovenia were fabulous. I was happily enjoying the riding immensely until a bend, lightly covered with gravel matching the road surface, reminded me how quickly things can change.
I hit the gravel, while leaned over for the right-hander, and immediately the rear wheel slid without any time or chance for me to respond in any way. On other slides I had instinctively put a foot out to try and stabilise the bike, on this occasion I simply rode it out and let it happen.
Gravel on the road = rear wheel slide
I came out the other end of the corner surprised, and visibly thankful, I had not slid out and ended up on my side. I turned the bike around and went back to see what had caused the sudden and unsettling slide. I looked at the slide through the thin layer of gravel and was surprised at the length of it.
Gravel on the road = rear wheel slide (approx. 3-4m long)
Not having had experience in slides such as this I am not sure if I was lucky, skilled or it if is common to simply slide your way through and out the other side. After the photos of the 'near miss' I headed onwards for Slovenia through more amazing roads and scenery glad to have remained upright and able to continue.
I stopped for a kebab lunch in Ogulin and met a couple of fellow motorcyclists while I was finishing my food. The first rode a Honda and the second a Yamaha Tenere. I spoke to the man on the Yamaha Tenere (Mr A. Wittner) who had bought his bike and all the gear and arranged all the visas he needed to travel through many countries and then…..he met a woman….so he isn't going anywhere.
After lunch I rode off for Slovenia.
Amazing roads and scenery continue in Croatia
Amazing roads and scenery continue in Croatia
Amazing roads and scenery continue in Croatia
Crossing the border into Slovenia (near Brod na Kupi and Petrina) I was delayed by a younger border guard who was clearly making sure he was doing his job correctly while his senior staff were around. When the more senior staff realised I was not at all local he asked where I was going, offered the wonderful suggestion of a brand new road through the mountains that is hardly even used, and hurried me through into Slovenia.
The recommended route was fabulous with quiet local roads sweeping along the Croatian border (Kolpa River), through wonderfully green and lush fields, up and over the mountains from the small settlement of Zgornji Cacic on a brand new road with only 2 or 3 other vehicles, and once again through beautiful open stretches with green grass and forested hills.
Into Croatia and along the Kolpa River
'Interesting' roadside sculpture - Watch Out for Forest Men…?
Along the way I stopped for a refreshing double Sprite on the rocks. As I enjoyed the ice-cold drink and the relief for my rear off the motorbike I spoke briefly with one of the locals.
The local asked if I was bored travelling alone…….through many new and different countries…..I said that I wasn't and that the only boring days are the ones where I am not going somewhere new or seeing something different………..I referred to the different countries, amazing scenery, wonderful roads, fabulous people, and all of the other motorcyclists I pass who share the experience and wave.
I thought over what he had asked and I think what he really meant was lonely. Of course there were times when I was lonely and I imagine all solo travellers are at times.
Wonderful expanses of various shades of green
Most na Soci (Soca River) - World War I monument (Perhaps to Austrians)
WATCH OUT - YOU MIGHT FALL OFF!
After riding the wonderful roads with spectacular scenery of southern Slovenia, and managing to stay upright I arrived in Tolmin. I looked around for somewhere to stay before finding Pension Rutar adjacent to the Town Square. I parked my heavily loaded bike next to two other bikes on a much leaner diet.
After organising my room and reviving myself with a shower and fresh clothes I was ready for some beers and dinner. Whilst I waited for my deer for dinner I met Burkhard and Thomas from Austria who were on a 3-4 day ride. They had both done several rides and recommended too many roads and passes for me to recall or cover on my way through. It was great to get a few ideas from riders who had travelled these parts several times before.
The deer in Slovenia wasn't particularly tender or tasty although the dinner was overall quite good. After a long day sightseeing and riding I was happy for an early night in the quiet township of Tolmin.
18th July - Tolmin (Slovenia) to Lancenigo Villorba (Italy)
While I took it relatively easy enjoying my breakfast Burkhard and Thomas were up and at it nice and early due to their much shorter timeframe. I managed to quickly grab a photo before they departed before I headed back upstairs to pack and ready myself to depart.
Burkhard and Thomas - Austrians on a 3-4 day ride
About leave Pension Rutar (Tolmin, Slovenia)
A short ride down the hill from Tolmin reaches the Soca River. Although running a little cloudy at the time, the river is beautiful and renowned for its emerald green colour.
Soca River, Slovenia
Soca River, Slovenia
Soca River, Slovenia
Soca River, Slovenia
After the brief stop beside the Soca River I was soon to leave Slovenia behind me and arrive in Italy. The border crossing into Italy is a non-event and signified my arrival into the EU and drive-through borders from now on.
Italy border crossing - quick and easy.
I had entered this part of Italy in the hope of meeting some of my parent's friends from Mittagong (Luciano) who spend their summers back home in northern Italy. Their hometown is Cividale and my parent's had given me directions to their street and house. After missing the address on the first pass I decided I might as well see what the centre of town looked like.
As I rode into Cividale I was impressed by the small centre of the village and its historically grand nature. It was obvious that Cividale was a relatively small although a historically important regional centre located over the Natisone River. The old centre of Cividale del Fruili was a wonderful sight, representing my first Italian town centre on the trip.
Once again, as I had become comfortable doing, I parked my bike adjacent to the main church and square, to get my bearings/ask directions.
Centre of Cividale del Fruili - Parrocchia di San Maria Assunta
I couldn't leave the centre without also stopping near the bridge looking back towards the old town.
Cividale del Fruili
Cividale del Fruili
After leaving the centre of town with much clearer directions and understanding of street numbering I found the address I was looking for and……………nobody was home. A neighbour advised that they were away and that their sister lived a couple of houses away and might be able to help.
I was soon introduced to Pina (Josephine) who is Luciano's sister. Pina quickly welcomed me inside her home and apologised for her hair still being partly done and advised that Luciano and his wife were attending the theatre and would not be back until tomorrow.
I was welcomed inside for stovetop (Bialetti) coffee (what else?) and biscuits. Pina talked fondly of her travels and mentioned her trips: Russia 3x, Australia 12x, Africa, not China (too expensive), Europe (of course) and Slovenia (beautiful). Pina obviously loved her travelling and seemed to miss it/long for more.
Although I hadn't met my parents friends from Mittagong I had met their sister and that was wonderful.
Pina - not entirely happy to have her photo taken mid hairstyling.
Luciano's home in Cividale
Although I was welcome to stay longer in Cividale I chose to continue onwards. I rode towards Venice and passed through several villages, towns and cities. As I passed through Pordenone a little bit of architecture caught my eye:
Pordenone architecture
As I continued onwards towards Venice I sought out accommodation. I used the recommendations of the GPS to guide me……….unfortunately not to anything worthwhile. Eventually after riding past several uninspiring accommodation options I found something slightly better. Holiday La Marca was perfectly acceptable, on the road into Venice, comfortable and had food and beverages within their boundary fence (it was essentially a highway industrial location).
Although I had much success with internet along my journey I had now encountered the much more regulated situation of higher tourist environments. I worked on this website in the afternoon over some snacks and beers preparing it for a later upload because there was limited/paid access in common areas and the room only had internet and power while I was there. Prior to heading out for dinner, I left the room key in the room, chocked the door open and I pressed the upload button and hoped for the best………………
I enjoyed some wonderful salmone nero raviole with white wine before returning to confirm the upload of my website……………..it hadn't finished yet.
I left it to take its course and I would see how things were progressing in the morning before leaving for Venice.