Today was our second trip on a guided tour with Damjan our resort rep. When the minibus arrived to pick us up we found that in addition to resort rep and tour guide Damjan was also our driver for the day. On our journey to Postojna Cave Damjan took us on a scenic detour through the Slovenian countryside taking in the wine, olive and fig growing areas. The Scenery was stunning and beautiful!
On arrival at Postojna Cave there was a strong (unexpected) military presence which transpired to be soldiers that had been taking part in a military exercise in the local area during the previous few days. Whilst we waited for our guided tour around the caves Damjan explained a bit of the history of the caves. At the time we were sheltering from the heat in a cave entrance where he pointed out the blackening of the rock where the partisans had set fire to aircraft fuel that had been stored in the cave by the occupying German forces in WWII.
A train took us into the tunnel and to the start of our guided walking tour of the caves. The growing formations of stalactites and stalagmites are quite breathtaking and I found them to be even more spectacular than I remembered from my previous visit in the late 1980s. After the walk in the caves it was time to embark on the train to take us back to the cave entrance just in time for lunch. I chose an unusual looking layer cake which I found to be savoury rather than sweet. When I looked it up in the guide book later on I was pleased to find out that it is one of the local dishes, Prekmurska gibanica. I was however, surprised that I had been able to identified all the ingredients; filo pastry, cheese, poppy seeds, walnuts and spiced apple.
After lunch we returned to the minibus for Damjan to take us on the short journey to Predjama Castle which is perched high up in a cliff. The castle and its history are interesting and we were left wondering how the castle remained attached to the cliffs that it nestles within… When we had finished our visit to Predjama, we made the return journey to the hotel where we stopped for one last drink outside the hotel until it was time to return to our room to get ready for dinner and to pack our bags ready for our stay in Ljubljana.
Our last meal in the hotel was a little chaotic… The waiter that had been serving all week had returned home for the weekend and the waitress that had taken his place was not quite as organised as he had been. Our glass of wine arrived half way through the meal. We didn’t order another glass so that we could sit an linger a while after dinner because the heat in the dining room was unbearable (it was 86o outside). Instead we enjoyed a leisurely drink looking over the coast with a fellow traveler, for one last time before transferring to Ljubljana.
When we returned to our room for the night I opened the shutters to enjoy Tartini Square one last time before we left Piran. In addition to the lovely view and the atmosphere of the square I was treated to the delightful sight of bats flying around above the square 
Oh, what a great pic inside the cave! That could not have been an easy shot to take? They won’t let us take photos inside Mammoth Cave anymore, but I’m sure it would be very difficult with limited lighting – you’ve done a beautiful job:)
Interesting the various uses they have found for caves throughout history – Mammoth Cave, here, was also used for military storage. (It was also tried out as tuberculosis hospital treatment and even used for church revivals!)
Nothing quite as grand and regal as a castle on the cliffs nearby was ever tried, though. (Sadly, America was never fond of building castles.) Truly amazing
Photos are allowed without flash. Light caused algae to grow and spoil the biosphere of the cave. The cave system is immense and we only saw a small part that is open to visitors.
One of the caves is named the concert hall and yes concerts are held in it. At Christmas time nativity scenes are displayed around the tunnels of the cave.
What an exciting day Cherie i love the photo inside the cave… and the others are good as well:)
….peter:)
It was a great day
The castle is quite amazing!
That’s an incredible shot . And you’re so brave to go into a cave. I freaked out in the tunnels of Henry Vlll’s castle in Portsmouth! I could never go into a cave! When in Penzance, I was supposed to go swimming/exploring underwater caves,but there was no freaking way!
Not that I am a coward or anything…..lol….(but you are so brave!)
The tunnels are enourmous and not at all claustrophobic. I don’t thinks you would panic in them. Some of the caves are so large that concerts can be held in them. The acoustics are amazing!!
They are not at all like our small English caves which can feel rather suffocating.
Beautiful pictures. I remember as a child I LOVE caves… LOVE all the shapes of the stone. Such beauty. The castle looks well protected by the mountain and what a view to end the vacation…. have a great week.
We have caves in England but not on such a grand scale. Perhaps on your next visit to England you can seek one out. I different experience of England
I’m loving your Slovenia posts, especially all the food you ate. I love the sound of the Prekmurska gibanica. I really enjoy the food in that part of the world. I think I’d enjoy those caves and definitely the castle. This is my favourite day so far.
I hope you get the chance to visit, I am sure you would love it