Getting all the ducks in a row …

Planning ahead as another weekend approaches.  Plitvice Lakes stay without the bikes … sad but true, it’s too difficult to take the bikes on this journey.  So we are now settled with plan C for Plitvice and moving forward to Ljubljana, Slovenia by train.

Meanwhile, its 34C, the ho(s)tel is called Swanky and that it is, very quirky, the buffet breakfast was in the Swanky Monkey Garden terrace, a beautiful tropical, open decked area full of creepers hanging all around.  Not to mention the pool up, another flight of steps and more garden areas to relax with a drink or meal from the Asian Fusion restaurant next door. 

Curiosity got the better of me, what was this place in it’s heyday? Our room has a treadle sewing machine as a table, the walls are decorated with drawings of sewing pattern pieces … my mind wanders to the days that Mum and I used to buy German Burda books and trace the patterns to make our clothes. 

Back on track … a few web browsers and I found that this was a Dry Cleaning/textile-dye factory.

After our busy day of planning, a visit to the bus station, and a little sightseeing, the pool looks inviting not overly big but refreshing all the same, a drink in the beer garden, better change out of the bathers, then back to have a meal.  Meanwhile the music changes to a bit of jazz, before we know it, the party lights are glowing as dusk approaches and all the tables around and on the other three levels are filled.  What a great day. What a great find for this ho(s)tel, John.