A Serene Escape in Slovenia

The enchantment of Lake Bled.

-  Devayani Medhekar

The prettiest and the most serene sight that caught our eyes in northwestern Slovenia was that of Lake Bled during our Eastern Europe bus tour. The Lake Bled Lake lies in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region of northwestern Slovenia. As we entered the campus of the Hotel KOMPAS, we were asked to put our bags in the rooms and walk down for a boat ride at the nearby lake.

We walked through a narrow path with cobbled stones and bushes on the side. A 10-minute walk brought us to the point of Lake Bled where we were to ride on the traditional 'Pletna' – (Pletna is a flat-bottomed wooden boat shaped like a gondola with a canopy) that ferries people from Lake Bled to Lake Bled Island. The lake surrounds the island.

The 'Pletna' has a pointed bow, its stern widened and has a step so passengers can enter. The 'Pletna' is said to date back to the end of the 16th century, and the tradition of oarsmen continues to this day. The story goes, said our guide, that back in 1740, Empress Maria Theresa granted exclusive rights of ferrying religious pilgrims to worship on Bled Island to 22 local families, and that many of the present-day oarsmen are descendants of these original 22 families.

While we waited in groups of tens and fifteens for the 'Pletna' (as it accommodates only 20 passengers at a time) to arrive, what we saw in front of us was a most spectacular sight - lying amidst the picturesque backdrop of the majestic mountains and green forests, was a calm and beautiful deep blue lake and its soft shimmering waves surrounding the captivating Bled Island! The chattering of the group suddenly stopped as we all just stood there, taking in the spectacular view of the only natural island of Slovenia. What a view it was - time stood still!