Hey guys!!

We were in Bled couple of days ago, (now in Croatia by the way) finally a chance to update you all with our news of our travels so far.

Bled in Slovenia which was beeeeaaaauuutttiiifffuuulll! Upon our arrival at Bled train station, we were stranded, not knowing the way to the centre and to our hostel!! We kept asking around to virtual strangers on how to get to our hostel with no success until Laura pings a light bulb that she call the owner of the hostel, and he then came and picked us up!!WE like went d'uh we should did that like half hour ago!!! Yippee free transport!!

That night after checking in the hostel, dhownstairs there was pub called George Best (Bush- as Philla kept saying?!) To our delight, our plan is to catch up with all these times lost no drinking since Portugal!

Before that evil plan, we head off to explore the infamous lake and the castle of Bled in the dark! Before you say- d'uh! it was really beautifuil in the night with all the twilight, and we went stargazing. The mountain in the far distance and the lumimated castle above us with the stars dancing make a breathtaking view.

When we got back to the hostel cum bar, to our joy, the barman gave us shots on the house- blueberry something with literally real fruit inside, Slovenian style! These shots went straight to our head, and after long period of no drinking, we began to get giddy and laughed off our heads most of the night, fulfilled the sterotype of English people!

The next day-Sunday, we had proper chance to exploring the beauty of Bled by hiring a bike to cycle around the lake in record time of 45mins! Erika surprisely did very well despite shaky start as it was her 1st time in many many many years!! Leonie- be proud of your daughter! She actually lead the group at one time of the whole cycle!! *applause* *Erika bowing*

After stopping for ice cream, we rest for a while, catching the sun rays by the lake, a virtual stranger male squirted water from his water gun at us randomly for not apparent reason!! *gasps* we think he was trying to get attention from us. Us vain?!?

In the afternoon, we (Philla, Erika and Aliya) went off to do white water rafting, a easy level one, Shame on us! It was good fun and experience but it wasnt what we kinda of expected as the river and rapids were not that demanding and exciting, but shocking the only time Philla slipped in the boat, to Aliya' and Erika's unbelivable joy- Phlla actually falls off something sporty and Erika nd Ali managed to held on. Erika and Ali, Sporty? Never heard! Shame on ya, Philla!

(Philla- I have my excuse!!!!!!!!!!!!)

(Erika and Ali- Stop making excuses! ACCEPT!!!!!)

Whilst our adventure on the wildly timid river, Laura continued to show off her pro cycling and photography skills, took photos around the Lake Bled. After returning from our afternoon activity, we reunited with Laura and went swimming in the Lake Bled til the sun sets. We dived off the floats and springboards. Pushed off one and another, competing who can walk to furtherest on the floating pipe- Philla the record holder to date with 5 steps(!) Imagine how many steps the rest of the girls has(!!) In summary, we behaved like silly ten years old but we have fanastic time!

Straight to our dinner in our wet clothes and hairs as we were starving! In a delicious pizza restaurant where we choose 6 toppings for only 7 euros. Erik-of course had only vegetable free topping- ALL MEAT MEAT, even without tomato puree base, the food was so filling, we had to unbutton our shorts and trousers by the end of the meal!!

More drinks back at the hostel/pub! *winks*

On Monday, we departed from Bled to the captial of Slovenia, Ljubljana, where we waited for 2 hours to get another train to Croatia. During our two hours waiting in MacDonalds!!! (Appalling!) Phils stayed behind to look after the bags whilst the rest has a look around the pretty part of the city. After their retuirn, Phils went out for her turn. When the clock hand strike ten to three, we realised, with horror, the train departs in five, FIVE, mins with no sights of Philla or Laura. Erika and Aliya ran carrying their backpack AND other two girls's f***ing heavy backpacks. They found laura easily, but no sight of Philla still! Erika was buckling under with two backpack, (inform Phils bag was 13 kilo! Imagine Erika carrying that plus her own 11 kg bag!) We, to our further horror, discover, the train was on platform 8 which is the most furthest platform from the station. Finally we found Philla, and together, we ran across the railway tracks, praying that no trains would hit us! On the last railway track we cross, there was no pathway, only deep pit, only way is to go back and go via subway-NO TIME FOR THAT! Philla took the plunge and push us all onto the deep tracks and hurdled our way over the line to other side! Understandbly, Erika, still carrying two backpacks (no time to pass the bag to Philla! which would do super job carrying two bags better than Erika, in hindsight!) fell due to her flip flop slip off ( Leonie, Mum- you're right, I know I should wear proper shoes!) AND the heavy weight of the backpacks. We thought we would die, but Philla pulled up Erika off the track. Phew! Now to catch That bloody train. AS we climbed up the train, Laura, the first one into, she was falling back, threating to push us all off the train. Philla, beginning a kinda action girl, pushed us into the train. As Philla shuts the door, the train departs with only two secs to spare! Through all that drama, Aliya was separated from us, and she ran via subway, a sensible idea, luckily, despite her poor record of sprinting, she managed to get on the train at other side at the same time as us!

With all that drama over, we were sweating, our hearts beating really hard, we were panting louder than a dog and we then collasped!

With that last dramatic note, we bid farewell until next time!

xxxxx