Waking up on the coast of Croatia hits different. The campsite was big with quite a few folks, but peaceful and still. The water here is inviting but also seemed vast and ripe for the both casual diver and the more seasoned. If I only had more time!!

I waited until I packed up to decide if I’d stay in Croatia or head to Slovenia, but as soon as I was loading up I was sweating profusely. It’s all it took for me to change my mind. I needed cooler weather and so as I looked at the map heading into Slovenia it showed some elevation. That was enough for me to decide to move on, but also my travel A.D.D was kicking in and the only cure was a new country.

I’ve got a 2 hour ride into the mountains to the border…..

As I ascended up and away from the coast the weather got cooler, the green got greener and I was transported to a Montana of sorts.

Its been a while since I’ve seen this much green…..

There was no clear moment that I crossed the border. It wasn’t apparent on the map or significant border crossing, but there was this sign….

Little did I know, until I could smell it, another mishap was right behind me! Yep…. I burned a small hole in my travel bag again! (Insert Face Palm)

You can’t quite see it but it burned the nostrels! NOTE TO SELF BUNGY IT FORWARD!!!!!!

As I continued in self pity and shame, the ride itself was blissful, beautifully sunny, but a cooler 80 degrees. I lost myself for a while until I looked down and realize I truly did cross the border as this was the line on the map….Hello SLOVENIA!!!

I’m heading to the captitol Ljubljana! Can you pronounce it for me because I’m still at a loss. Either way so far this country has been a pleasant surprise.

As I made my through some cool twisty roads and descended from the what felt like a piece of heaven, mainly for its lack of people and vehicles, but also for the scenery, I looked down at my speedometer and saw that I hit an even 30000 miles on the Camel.

I’ve only accounted for 20500 mile of that since I left Petaluma, California, but somehow it felt right to take a picture. I’m not a mile counter by any means, I’d rather count my experiences, but there have been many of those and I stopped for a second just to be appreciative of the opportunities I’ve been given. I know it’s a littel sappy, but it’s how I felt.

As I continued I got even sappier stopping in little towns like this one into the mountains of Slovenia…..

Predgrad (pronounced [ˈpɾéːdɡɾat]; German: Vornschloß^[2] or Pölland^[3]) is a settlement in the Municipality of Kočevje in southern Slovenia. The area is part of the traditional region of Lower Carniola and is now included in the Southeast Slovenia Statistical Region.

The local church is dedicated to Saints Fabian and Sebastian and belongs to the Parish of Stari Trg ob Kolpi. It is a mid-18th-century Baroque building that replaced an earlier church on the site.

The settlement contains the scant ruins of a 13th-century castle that was destroyed in 1809 by Napoleon’s forces.

Before the breakup of Yugoslavia, Saint Anne‘s Day was celebrated in Predgrad by residents from both sides of the Kolpa River.

There wasn’t much in Predgrad but it didn’t matter! My mind wanders into the history of small town like this. The people, the struggles, the celebrations. Who first settled here?

As I continued to ride into Ljubljana the small towns had plenty of greenery and cool looking houses and my excitement to see the capitol turned into restlseness. Slovenia to me was a complete unknown. I’ve heard nothing about it and that curiosity only intrigued me more.

I rolled into town sweating, even though the weather was cooler than Croatia, with my boots off and regular shoes on. I only do this peridically but I couldnt stand it anymore. As I arrived into the city center to the small but metropolitan feel of Ljubljana, I decided to splurge and stay at the Grand Hotel Union. The location was right and I’ve been camping since the ferry ride from Italy. I go by feels in each location and it just felt right. 🙂

Turns out this hotel, built between 1903 and 1905, is the first modern hotel and for a time was the largest building in Ljubljana.

As I checked in and rested, showered and had some day light I toured the city center……

I was impressed by the 3 to 4 story buildings as each one had its own character.

It was a beautiful day so of course I stopped to have a beer at a local. Which continued into having a beer at another local, followed by a couple beers at another local. I was also craving something that would be considered American. A good burger!!!!

Slovenia with all its beauty being at the base of the alps I was starting to notice a theme that was making me feel at home. Although there were some local options that would of helped me understand it’s cuisine, I opted for the Murica type food. Sometimes you crave home, even though I normally try to chat people up, I went into observing mode and I was getting old 80’s rocker vibes. Leather clothing, denim, leg warmers, some neon colors. Rock n roll hair dues and I think I even saw someone with shoulder pads. Although I may have been seeing things. It felt like I traveled back in time. At least in certain parts of town.

I thought it would be a late night but as with each beer I ended up feeling the sluggish feeling you get when saturated with hops and Co2. That expensive night in the Grand hotel Bed was calling!

The next morning was like any new country. What purpose do I have here? What sites should I see? History is generally on the list. What was the town like before? What old structures could I learn about?

On a big green hill in the middle of the city, behind ancient walls is the Ljubljana Castle.

Not a bad view here from the jail cell…..

Ljubljana Castle (Slovene: Ljubljanski grad, German: Laibacher Schloss) is a castle complex standing on Castle Hill above downtown Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It is a key landmark of the town. Originally a medieval fortress, it was probably constructed in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 12th century. It acquired its present outline with an almost complete overhaul in the 15th century, whereas the majority of the buildings date to the 16th and 17th centuries. Initially a defense structure and since the first half of the 14th century the seat of the lords of Carniola, it was since the early 19th century used for various other purposes and today is used as a major cultural venue.

When I finished with the castle I had only a couple more hours in town so I grabbed some breakfast and packed up my bike. That day I only had a 30 minute ride to my next campsite. So I wasn’t in a hurry, but one and done in the big city was enough. I was getting a little antsy and homesick being on the road. Part of me was ready to get home. It wasn’t strong enough for me to do it, but it was just feeling. The explorer part of me though said stop being a “………..!” You fill in the word!

So I headed to the next spot with mild content, Lake Bled! A very famous picturesque lake. You’ll see!!!!

The campsite I chose was near lake bled and looked like a proper village more then a campsite. But first some road pictures on the way.

It goes without saying Slovenia was stunning and the roads had some hidden gems. In my opinion. As I was riding I spotted these old ruins. Which I was told were homes in the medieval times.

And this insane asylum….

Im into old abandon buildings and this one had some creepiness to it. As I continued on I admired the clean look of the houses….

and the even though there are old churches everywhere, they still stop me in my tracks…..

The road to Lake Bled wasn’t anything specatacular but it didnt have to be. Slovenia is easy on the eyes and the smell of trees and cool air made this a different kind of Moto Mecca. But arriving and riding around Lake Bled was icing on the cake.

I stopped at small beach on the south side of the lake to have a beer and maybe a swim…..Since I’m right near my campsite it’s seemed fitting to enjoy a nice Pils!

The swim didnt happen, but these views were fantastic…..

I rode to my campsite CAMPING SOBEC just out of the town of Bled and was amazed by how big it was and cheap.

I camped right on the river for $16 euros.

I took a cold bath as it was absolutely freezing. The snow was still melting off the mountains and I felt fortunate to have my cold training on point, as most people didn’t seem to last a minute in this water.

Followed by a dinner and enterainment…

This place had alot of people and entertainment. It was very family oriented. It actually made me miss being home. The friends, family and people I’m closest to. Everyone was there enjoying their time with the people closest to them. It actually had me questioning what i’m actually doing!!!? I’m at an age that some would say I should be settled down by now. It hasn’t quite worked out for me in that way so at the moment I’m living my dream. Traveling on your own makes you question everything. The one thing I’ve learned though is when you have these feelings sadness, lonlieness, or whatever emotions you feel. The best thing you can do is accept it, ackowledge it, question it and move on. Getting in touch with your intuition and really ask yourself the right questions I think will help prioritze your priorities.

I’ll tell you this, I never felt lonely when there is no one around, it’s usually in crowded place like this campsite where it hits the hardest. I found the best solution in these cases is to get out of my comfort zone and start connecting with those around me. One good conversation could be all I need to snap out of it!

If your ever in the area check the place out: CAMPING SOBEC https://www.sobec.si/en/camping.html

I spent one night and it rained slightly but it was a really nice sleep. That morning I started to look at the map and realize how close I was getting to Brno, Czechia. I had one more country to hit, Austria! Stunning and pictruesque Austria. I have been multiple times now but what was really cool is I realized I’d be passing by one of my favorite hotels that I found in 2019. In the ski town of Marizell. HOTEL DREI HASEN. I had a great stay there, so much so I decided to do what I don’t normally do. Ride there once again!!!

A 3 hour ride that I knew would make any biker jealous.

After stopping to get gas, I stopped by a memorial for those who spent time in Natzy camps just before ascending up the mountain……

As you can see in the background the mountains I’m about to ride into are going to be epic!

It took only about 20 minutes into the ride for me to hit the border. This time I was surprised there was a check point. Most of Europe you ride right through.

The guy made me get off the bike and they checked everything with a keen eye while not saying a word. Until he saw my license plate and said you came all the way here from California!? Without going into detail , I said, “Yes Sir!” He high fived me and said thats freakin awesome man!!!! Go ahead welcome to Austria!! WHEEEW!!! I thought I was in trouble. I keep thinking my bike has been in Europe for too long. This border was right at the top of the mountain. It was a beautiful border actually!

I descended down the mountain with a euphoric feeling and was excited to be back in Austria. I’m familiar with the area and the roads are epic.

I purposely withheld eating in the morning so I could gorge in another country. I stopped at this roadside restaurant and found a gem of a meal……

A Paprika chicken and Spatzle!!! Spätzle, also spelled spaetzle, are small, irregular, egg dumplings or noodles common in German, Austrian, Swiss, Czech, and Hungarian cuisine.

With only 2 1/2 hours to go along the most scenic roads you could imagine the only picture I took was a snap shot from my go pro, as I simply enjoyed the clean air and pretty as a picture mountain tops.

I finally arrived to a familiar hotel……

Ive been here before as this was my first photo I took in 2019 of the owner and an employee…..

When I arrived the hotel was closed and I called the number. Mr Kroneis, on the right, answered the phone and said they had not been busy and I was the only guest in the hotel. I reminded him that I rode there before in 2016 and he remembered, my afinity for saunas. He arrived by bicycle to open the doors, gave me the exact same room I had before, with this incredible view……

It instantly brought back all the memories from 6 years ago! My first time riding in europe and by this time I had already been on the road for a month and half.

His kindness and willingness to help accomadate me did not go unoticed as he gave me the key to the entire hotel. He said, just make sure you lock it up when you leave. Ummmmm talk about trust!!!! Having this old place to myself I have to say was quite creepy! And I liked it 🙂

The ammenities with the sauna were second to none, while maintaining its neo-gothic classical look, as this hotel has been in his family for 6 generations! Thats over 160 years…https://www.dreihasen.at/

The town of Mariazell is a destination for hikers, travelers, and skiers. Its town deserved someone with keen picture taking eye , because its as story book as it gets. Here’s some that I took, but I’ll let you make your way here to see it for yourself.

The next morning I woke up had a pastry, coffee and packed the bike up. It’s back to Vienna for me and in a coincedence of timing, my cousin Issa from the states is in Vienna for work. So the goal is to meet up for lunch.

Coming down off the Austrian Mountains the climate gets hotter and the terrain gets flatter. There really are no big mountains until you get into slovakia. So it’s pretty much farmland from Vienna east.

I arrived in Vienna and met my cousin for lunch….

Issa is from my fathers side of my family and has been an intrigual part of me growing up. I’ve traveled through most of the middle east with him and he’s provided me many opportunities that without him I would have never experienced. He’s a big reason why I travel today.

He told me he was going to palestine in a few days and asked me if I wanted to go. So I dont’ say no to much and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. I worked out cutting this trip short and traveling to Palestine with him, his wife and kids.

So the goal is to get the bike to Brno, Czech and come back to Vienna so we can fly out to together. I haven’t been to Palestine in 20 years! After a quick lunch and meet up I set off to Brno….

As I said the roads and scenery were mostly farm land on the way to Brno…

I arrived into the city center at a hotel I’ve been to before, Avion. It’s the right price in the center of town….

I spent the night and planned to meet up with my friends from Petaluma. Ingrid and Mario have traveled back and forth from to Brno because it’s Ingrids hometown. She’s has been able to help facilitate my bike being here multiple times. This time is no different.

The next day I met up with Ingrid and Mario at a gas station to bring the Camel to Ingrids dad shop …..

Her dads shop is about 20 minutes out of town. There is something really cool about meeting up with friends in different countries. So after we dropped off the Camel…

Loading into through the smallest of doors and hallway…. It was time for a beer at there local!

Followed by more beers at more local spots in the city center….

and more, because why not……..

The next day was my last day in Brno before taking the train to Vienna and we spent most of it touring the city center. Ever seen a church full of bones?

Its one of my favorite gothic churches….(kostel sv jakuba brno)

Next to one of my favorite breweries, as I’ve stated before in past trips where you can drink outside right next to the church….https://vycepnastojaka.cz/

This was on my own and then I met with ingrid and mario again for a tour of some other venues.

Including a spot with which the czechs think this is the center of the world…..

Brno isn’t literally the center of the world, but it has been referred to as a “business meeting point between East and West” and a “hub for technological innovation and trade” since the mid-20th century. Of course you have to have a beer at the center of the world. Brown bagging it!

This journey from Portugal to Czech has taught me many things just like all of the trips I do. It’s hard to describe in words what it’s like to be vagabonding it. I think everyone should have this type of experience. It stretches you until you feel like you can’t be stretched any further. There is beauty in the struggle. But how many of us really want to struggle. I keep signing up, and i’m not sure I see an end yet!

I high tailed back to Vienna to meet up with my cousin. Taking the train and then renting a e-scooter through vienna. Which by the way I highly recommend in most cities. One of the best ways to tour a city!

I got to where Issa was having lunch with all his co-workers for their conference…..

We stayed one night in Vienna and got to the airport where I would begin a whole new adventure back to my fathers homeland. Which would prove to be eye opening and little did I know how eye opening it would! See you in Palestine!