Destination Zagreb

An early breakfast so that we were able to make the 8:15am train from Ljubljana was the first objective of the day.What a sight - the 8 of us with our large suitcases, and several of the group with smaller suitcases as well, walking single file from the hotel to the railway station - a distance of about a kilometre. Fortunately, Ljubljana railway station had a lift to take us down to the lower level so we could get to the appropriate platform. We then had to climb back up the stairs to the correct platform as there was no lift there to transport us. Fortunately, a conveyer belt was running beside the steps so we walked up the steps with one hand on our suitcases as they glided up beside us.

There was some confusion when the train finally arrived. We found carriage 306 and went to board the train. However, everyone was told to wait on the platform. Eventually, we saw maintenance men coming along with a selection of serious looking tools. They climbed under the train and started bashing away. Was our carriage undergoing major repairs before our very eyes? Finally, after much banging and clanging, the engine pulled away taking our allocated carriage with it and leaving the rest of the train behind. A few minutes later, the same engine returned with another carriage marked 306 and we were able to board. The steps up into the carriage were a considerable distance above the level of the platform creating quite a challenge to get all of the suitcases up onto the train. Thank heavens Ron (Liz’s wonderful husband) is tall and strong (and good looking too!) and helped us all get our luggage on board. We should have ‘tipped’ Ron for his assistance, so we told him what he keeps reminding us - ‘be kind to your mother’.

When the train finally departed - some 20 minutes late - all was going well until we came to a stop at the Slovenian/Croatian border. First, the Slovenian police came on board and checked our passports. Dave’s passport created some concern to the officials. One of the officials spoke into his 2-way radio holding Dave’s passport in his hand. Not being able to speak fluent Slovenian, we were unable to decipher what the problem was. Dave was perspiring profusely at this stage - as was Dave’s wife, Marie. A good 10 minutes later, they finally stamped his passport and we all shared Dave’s relief. We have since wondered whether one of the police found him suspicious or attractive! The Croatian police boarded the train at that stage and then went through the same procedure of checking and stamping passports again. No problems with Dave this time!

We have met an interesting, mature lady from New Zealand who will be touring with us. She has attached herself to our happy and lovable group. I think she was unsure of how to take some of our humour.

On disembarking at Zagreb, we negotiated with taxis to drive us to our hotel - 30 euro for the 9 of us - good value! We were glad we chose to do this as we soon came across thousands of students from many different schools marching the streets, blowing whistles, singing, shouting, some with tambourines, some with ratchets, many with large beer bottles, wine bladders and bottles, and various other alcoholic beverages. Dressed in the various colours of their schools, we think they were celebrating the end of their high school education. The police, in large numbers were scattered around various posts. There were also many security guards posted along the streets. Police, security vehicles and ambulances were a common sight. Cars were unable to move and were at a stand still with students completely surrounding them like a sea of humanity. Some drivers had their vehicles rocked by the students. It certainly makes our ‘Muck up’ days mild. Hope this trend never catches on back home!

After checking in to our modern and well provisioned hotel, we headed off for a walk in search of the Regent Hotel. This is a very posh hotel that has just celebrated it’s 85th Anniversary. We were all ‘gobsmacked’ as we entered the foyer! This hotel has had many of the ‘Rich and Famous’ as guests. The hotel was one of the hotels used by guests travelling on the Orient Express. Liz used her ‘I’m a travel agent from Australia and I am wondering if I would be able to inspect one of your rooms’ line. She then asked if her friends would be able to join the inspection. We hit the jackpot with the gentleman - and I mean GENTLEMAN - who kindly agreed to Liz’s request. He was in a senior position in the hotel - either the manager or head concierge - and has worked at the hotel for 35 years. He proudly took us for a tour of not only a standard room but also of the suites used by the well heeled gentry (including Sophia Loren, Satchmo, Princess Anne, Grace Kelly and Cliff Richard), as well as the fitness centre, restaurants etc. After this wonderful tour we chose to stay for a coffee and snack. Expensive, but worth every cent!

Now, we head down to the foyer to meet our travel guide for our Croatian Tour, which starts tomorrow, and to have our first dinner in Croatia.