Ljubljana, Slovenia – 203 km

Motovun

Another glorious sunny day. After the usual buffet breakfast we all met at the designated time for our morning debriefing. The traffic out of Rovinj was easy and it turned out to be a great riding day. We were actually just over 100 km from Ljubljana by freeway but were able to stay away and have a great ride into the mountains, through vineyards and nice curves.




Bean Thresher

Our first stop was as Motovun for coffee. It was a very picturesque stop with a nice view of this medieval walled town. Lots of bikes stopping there for picture ops and just to take a break. There was a strange machine at the stop – a bean thresher. Not long after that we did our last border crossing exit from Croatia and a few yards later into Slovenia. We are getting lots of stamps in our passports with all these crossings but the guards are very good about conserving space.

Predjama Castle

For more photo ops we headed to Predjama Castle. The castle was first mentioned in the year 1274 and was built under a natural rocky arch high in a stone wall to make access to it difficult. The castle became known as the seat of the knight Erazem a renowned robber baron. Erazem was eventually killed by a cannon shot while seated on the toilet after a long siege in the castle. Apparently there are some secret limestone caves leading out on the other side of the mountain where food was brought in.

This was our last stop before heading to the garage where Primoz (P2) was waiting for us with chilled champagne. Such a nice touch to the ending of our tour. We have decided the Slovenians really love their champagne. After that we said goodbye to the black BMW K1600

Our guides: Primoz (P1), Primoz (P2) and Tomaz
 

that has safely and efficiently carried us over 2000km in these foreign lands.

This evening everyone met for our final dinner together, exchanged well wishes and hopes to meet again. Tomorrow we fly to opposite ends of the earth. Seems like sort of a cruel finality to dismiss people that you have depended on for your well being while on the road for the last 18 days. And, in turn we have contributed to theirs. We have been through the rain, narrow roads, illness, and the Bora wind together. And survived. And in the process accumulated many memories to cherish.

To the people of the Balkans: please take good care of your special part of the world.

Goodbye LJ01-TZ!