Slovenia, Austria: Part 4 - Day 5: Postojna Cave

Here is a summary of what is spent on Day 5.

27/7 Day 5: Postojna Cave

Costs
(1) Ticket for Postojna Cave - EUR29,90 per person

(2) Return train ticket to Postojna station - EUR12,40 per person

(3) Train ticket to Ljubljana station - EUR1,50 per person (took the wrong type of train which does not accept our return train ticket)

Food
(1) Breakfast at Gourmet Kodila cafe - cheese sandwich and coffee EUR8,50
(2) Croissant at Postojna town EUR1,20

(3) Radler beer at Bar Pod Smreko in Postojna town - EUR2,50

(4) Lunch at Baščaršija (Maribor Poštna), a Bosnian restaurant - Grilled sausages with bread EUR8,90

(5) Gostilna Sokol restaurant - Gibanica dessert, a multi-layered Slovenian cake - EUR7,90 and Cappucino EUR2,70

(6) Trgovina Deli - Kremna rezina cake EUR6

(7) Beer at Sax pub outside of Ljubljana center - EUR3,30

The Story

27072024 : Today, we woke up early as we are visiting Postojna Cave! When we researched this place in January, there were direct buses to the cave and when I wanted to purchase the tickets a month before our trip, I found out that the direct buses were cancelled. Instead, we have to take the train which requires an additional 25-minute walk from the train station to the cave. I had not accounted for this when I booked the tickets to the cave for the 10am tour. Fortunately, there was an early train that we could take at 7.59am! Which required us to wake up at 6.30am so that we can have our breakfast. Lucky for us that there are cafes opened for breakfast at 7am!

We bought the train tickets at the train station. It was not smart of us to buy return train tickets because when we returned, we took another type of train and we had to pay extra! The train departed at 8.09am and the journey took us 1 hour 4 minutes. I was worried that we will arrive late when the train had not departed at 7.59am as scheduled. Thankfully, the train arrived at Postojna station at 9.11am and we hurried to the cave.

With Google Maps, we did not have any problem finding our way to the cave. There were signboards so we knew that we were in the right direction. It was not very hot yet so it was a nice walk.

We reached the entrance to the cave at 9.35am. Had time to use the toilet which is free. Then, we stood in the growing queue. We had a booked time at 10am so there are no worries for us. The queue is long because there are tours in different languages. 

I read in the website that the temperature is low in the caves. It was hard for us to imagine that when it was scorching hot outside. I brought my jacket but my travel companions did not. They are Swedes so they can manage the temperature, according to them. I thought it was 15 degress but when we approached the front, it stated 10 degrees and my travel companions began to have second thoughts. One can rent rain jackets. Finally, my travel companions decided to give it a go. Since they were mentally prepared, they did not freeze. In fact, their hands were warm to the touch. Maybe they have lots of hair on the skin so they are well-insulated. 

We entered into a room where there is a short train waiting for us. We took the train for the first 2km into the cave. Then, the train stopped and we walked for the remaining 1.5km. We stopped at several points where the guide explained to us the significance of the cave. 

At the final section, we saw the cave's worm where they were discovered a few years back. The worm can grow up to 30cm and live up to 100 years. The worms live in water and we saw them in a large aquarium. We were not allowed to take photos but some tourists did, regardless o being told not too. Idiots.. At the end of the tour, there was a gift shop to buy souvenirs. We did not buy anything as everything is expensive. We took the train back to the surface. 

It was so hot when we stepped out from the entrance. We wanted to get back inside. We walked towards the train station and along the way, we stopped to buy some buns and got the cheapest beer ever. EUR2,50 for my 500ml radler. It was a small pub and payment in cash only. At the train station, we boarded the wrong type of train. It was the fast train but gosh, it was full and there was no air-conditioner. The corridors were filled with standing passengers. The windows were rolled down but it was so stuffy. The air was hot so it was a dreadful one hour in the train. 

When we got back, we had lunch at a Bosnian restaurant. It was Balkan food. Sausages, bread and raw onions. I know red onions can be eaten raw but I did not realise that yellow onions can be eaten raw too. The grilled sausages were very yummy! 

After lunch, we decided to go back to our Airbnb to rest. On our way, we stopped at Ljubljana's Town Hall. The walking tour guide that we did yesterday informed that the Roman interior design was worth checking. It is free entry. 

After the rest, we looked for the Slovenian desserts - multi-layered cake and cream cake. Not all restaurants have these cakes. We passed by restaurants and asked if they sell the cakes. Found a restaurant that served traditional dishes. I had the multi-layered cake and unfortunately, I did not enjoy the taste. I was sad. I looked forward to the cake and I did not like it. 

We looked for the next cake and found a bakery that has it. Cream cake. I prefer this cake! It was difficult to cut through the top and I don't think one is suppose to do that either.

I was too full after eating two slices of cakes. We skipped dinner and walked around town. Drank from the tap water. Took many photos with all the bridges in Ljubljana.

Dragon bridge in Ljubljana. This was the first bridge that caught my eyes when we came into Ljubljana town. I thought that this must be a town with myths. But it is not. The bridge was dedicated to Franz Joseph I of the Habsburg Dynasty to commemorate forty years of his rule from 1848 to 1888. 

We walked out of the town center and found a street with restaurants and pubs. Looks like a place that the locals go to. We chose a random pub and hung out there until we decided to go back.