Arcticterntalk.org

The blog of a travelling psychiatrist and football lover. Who happens to be a halfway decent photographer. Takes a cynical view of the world

Archive for the tag “ljubjana”

Ljubljana – the most beautiful city in Europe


Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia and is a city with the river Ljubljanica running through the city centre giving an intense backdrop to the many restaurants and cafes that line the river banks.IMG_0176

The city has a population of around 300,oo and that excludes the many dragons lining bridges and other areas. The dragon is the symbol of Slovenia.

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It is an attractive lattice of cobbled streets, arched alleys and fine cultural monuments, many of which were bequeathed to the city by Jože Plečnik (1872–1957), Slovenia’s most celebrated urban planner including the  brilliantly conceived Triple bridge.

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There are plentiful museums as one might expect from a capital city but the real enjoyment comes from simply walking the streets and seeing this city first-hand. Oddly the castle which gives an almost fairy tale backdrop to the city is about the only average feature of the city . 

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Many of the streets are cobblestone and lined with street art. Small bakers and other artisans sell their wares.

IMG_0188The bars and restaurants are plentiful and provide ample choice, although maybe pizza is the commonest type of cuisine.

IMG_0331Never also forget the amazing street art that is everywhere.

FullSizeRender-3You can sit literally in the river and eat and drink in various bars and restaurants

FullSizeRenderWhen nighttime comes there is often entertainment in Pleseren Square.

Street Art In Ljubljana. An Exciting City


Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and largest city. It’s known for its university population and green spaces, including expansive Tivoli Park. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined by outdoor cafes, divides the city’s old town from its commercial hub. Ljubljana also has many museums, including the National Museum of Slovenia.

What however is less well known is the street art that covers walls in many parts of the city.  Here is a selection of some of the variety you can see, all from the city centre. Some are works of art whilst some border almost on the graffiti border. Would you want a half eaten fox on the wall of your restaurant?

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MLK seems to be wondering which bicycle he might use?

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Cannot make up my mind if this half eaten fox is a good thing to see against the wall of a restaurant? 

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An unusual mixture of street art to observe whilst drinking coffee or beer

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Painted door. I think I like this

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A real mixture of street art

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I suppose this is street art but some might say just graffiti

 

Slovenia. A photographic view with humble I Phone


Slovenian Mental HospitalLjubjanaphoto 4photo 4-9photo 3photo 3-3photo 3-2photo 2-8photo 2-3photo 1-2photo 1-3

Slovenia and Food


Many aspects of Slovenian food are not unlike good quality British or American food.In 2006, the leading Slovenian ethnologists have divided the country into 23 gastronomic regions. Breakfasts tend to be a mixture of fresh fruit, cold meats and cooked eggs. The quality is exceptionally high. The first Slovene-language cookbook was published by Valentin Vodnik in 1799 and I am not planning the second. A few more curious ingredients it seems also, such as Dandelion being popular in salads, and soups it seems are quite a new invention in Slovenia although they now have around 150, enough for most.

There are however a few more unique aspects to their food. For example a very thin crispy pizza served as a starter, with toppings in different lines of pizza being different. Works well as a starter but a temptation to eat rather more than one might want to. Many countries seem to bring their own cultures and influences. The provision of an extra course of cold meats and cheese after a starter with ample bread also suggests not a UK tradition!photo 1-9

There are however some strange traditions here, like giving cups of coffee seemingly only half full even when one asks for a traditional large Americano!photo 4-5 photo 4-8photo 4-3photo 5As Slovenia borders Italy and is not actually a million miles from Venice, there are some Italian influences in addition to pizza and ice cream. Roasted potatoes are simple and ample portions. Pork cordon bleu is almost German in its origin.

Desserts can also be interesting with Tarte Tatin hot with ice cream. Prices are maybe 30-50% below what current UK prices are. photo 5-8 photo 5-9 photo 5-10 photo 5 photo 2-1

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The Best Photos of 2014. Maybe.


This is the time of year that I frantically try and complete a calendar for 2015.  Here is the short list of my photos. It has been a strange photographic year really. Some memorable shots but maybe not as many as in past years so it has been relatively easy to get down to a final set of 22. all help appreciated in helping me choose the final 12.

best_1 Best_2 Best best2_1 best2 best4 best5 DPP_0001 DPP_0035 IMG_0856 IMG_1318zx IMG_1346 IMG_1589_1 IMG_1589 IMG_1617 IMG_6043 IMG_6272 IMG_6789 IMG_7904 IMG_8590 IMG_9754f IMG_75192

Heathrow to Slovenia


For some unfathomable reason I have done little travelling this year such that this mornings early morning visitation to Heathrow reminded me what a shocking place it is. Crowded, with people pushing aimlessly, expensive and generally not a good place. However thanks to Lufthansa and Adria Airways I reached Slovenia mid-afternoon and on time.

I was taken to Lake Bled for lunch which is potentially a tourist spot about 45 km from Ljubjana  and had a nice large schnitzel by the lake. The thing that strikes one immediately about Slovenia is that it is calm and the people seem happy. They also seem remarkably young compared with New Malden.

This evening however is work as I set about distilling 110 slides into a sensible 45 minute talk on Adult ADHD for tomorrow.

The river that runs through Ljubjana

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