Almaty International School Excursion to Slovenia: May 2005

An amazing shot of the Kaminske Planine at the end of Logarska Dolina. I took this shot from the hunter's cabin we rent in the valley. They have one of the best views of the mountains. We climb the mountain pictured to a small cabin where we sit and enjoy the view with a hot cup of tea.

Kids in front of the mountains at the end of the valley. They are called the Karavanke. This group is the year one.

Joo Young, John, Alexander, Max, Young Woo and myself after our shower. A crowd of Slovenian students watched us go under the falls. A little background on why we jumped into the falls: I told the students that a friend of mine, Dave Kushner, started a tradition at the Rinka falls in Logarska with our first Slovenian School trip from Cleveland. He and I jumped into the falls in our swimming shorts. The water is glacier melt. I have never felt such cold water in my life. The first time I did it, it took my breath away. He and I were joined by a larger group the second time we went back to Slovenia with the Slovenian School from St. Mary's church in Cleveland. I did it the first year I took my students from QSI Almaty International School. Unfortunately, I could not continue the tradition on the second trip. There was a devastating avalanche that has reshaped the end of the valley. We could not get near falls since its base was hidden by tons of snow.

The glacier waters are rather cold this time of year; however, the kids participated in a tradition my friend Dave Kushner and I started years ago. A dip in Slap Rinka. Was it chilly.

Our group after our climb on Thursday. The valley is U-shaped, meaning it was created by a glacier. In 92 and 93 it flooded. The first flood happened after a large volume of water broke from a limestone chamber in the moutain.

Magzhan, Alexander and John on the climb in Logarska Dolina. These are year one excursion students.

I believe Wendy Lechner took this shot. It's just great. I had to put it on the site. It's a scene that is so indicative of Eastern Europe, let alone Slovenia.

A picture of the island in Bled. Can you see the castle on the cliff in the distance?

Cycling in Bohinj was fantastic and amazingly fun even after a three hour hike down the mountain.

I received more shots from earlier in the day on Tuesday. This is lake Bohinj.

A boat ride back from the island to finish Tuesday.

On the island with castle Bled set behind.

We took a small boat to the island.

Along lake Bled is a castle on top of a cliff.

Here is the picture of the lowest glacier lake in Slovenia. It is lake Bled. There is a small island in the center with a church.

Not tired enough, we went on a bike ride near lake Bohinj after our descent from the mountain.

Our scouts resting after the hike down. Polona Vreca on the far left gave the kids a geology lesson the night we were at the cabin. On the right of Polona and starting counterclockwise we have Marko, Janvit, Tine, Andrej and Ziga.

Lake Bohinj on the way down on Tuesday.

Scouts debating their trail. Gregor Muri in back was the chemist who accompanied our trek.

The scouts took this picture of one of the alpine lakes. Unfortunately, the path was too wet and snowy for our kids to take with packs. We opted for a safer trail up an old mule path.

A far shot of the cabin taken by some of the scouts who went up another direction. They went through an area with two meters of snow. It was a late winter this year.

Joo Yuong in one of the cabin rooms.

Tired from the hike.

Our mountain cabin in Triglav park. It is called pri Bogatinov, since Mount Bogatin lies behind it to the left. If you look carefully in front you will see a depression, it is a sinkhole. Slovenia is full of limstone, which makes it prone to sinkholes and caves.

Janvit and his sister Lucija. They are making Planinski chai for the students. They were amazing help along with the scouts.

Janvit.

Almaty International School Excursion to Slovenia

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Sunday, May 22, 2005

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