A Slovenian campsite with three heads

 

In search of mysterious cave salamanders

Here's a little test. In which country is Postojna? There was a time you could always answer “Yugoslavia”. These times have gone, for things have now changed. The right answer is: Postojna is in Slovenia, and in search for a campsite in Slovenia I end up in the Postojna caves looking for a mysterious salamander.

Slovenian campsites are popular again, but from the remains of the old Yougoslavia this country is less known. A bit unfair, for with popular neighbours like Austria, Italy and Croatia it is hard to show yourself as a holiday destination. Add to this that most campsites in Slovenia are situated on a tiny piece of Adriatic coast. Between the Italian border near Trieste and Istria which is Croatia is only 45 kilometres left for Slovenia. But Slovenian people don't mind as long as they have Slovenian campsites on their own soil. Or better, their porous stone soil called 'karst'. In this land are thousands of cave systems. There are about 7000 discovered, of which those in Postojna Jama is best known, with a cave system of over 23 kilometres. When looking for a campsite in Slovenia , this is the place to be.

Indiana Jones

 

Fans of Indiana Jones must visit a Slovenian campsite near Postojna, because the trip with little train wagons through the caves as this is where some of the 'Temple of Doom' scenes were filmed. You cross between the stalactites and stalagmites as if you are on a roller coaster in a fun park. There has been rails in these caves since the end of the 19th century. The lorries with the first tourists were pushed by labourers who also lighted the area with torches. Like on Slovenian campsites things are now much more modern. The trip ends in a huge cave of some 3000 m2 and 40 metres high. Here, every year a traditional dancing party is organized with over 10,000 participants.

 

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Mysterious olm

The most interesting thing about these caves is the presence of the olm, the mysterious cave salamander. This creature can survive long periods with no food. We know a cached animal did not eat for twelve years. Usually the olm eats small organisms in the water, but will not eat or drink. But look, after these twelve years he became a bit hungry. Besides, they can get to the age of a hundred years which is almost the same age as the manager of our Slovenian campsite . Usually the olms have a white to pink colour as their skin has no pigment. Olms are blind and live permanent in the dark. However, fifteen years ago during our stay on a campsite in Slovenia a dark skinned olm was discovered. This was a great surprise to the biologists, because his tiny blue eyes showed that he had his trips outside the cave and probably could see more than we think. Since this discovery, only one species was caught. He immediately went on a hunger strike which came as no surprise.

 

Three heads

So that soil under the Slovenian campsite is not a simple soil. Who knows how many undiscovered salamanders are yet to be discovered. This same soil is also responsible for the over 7500 fresh water wells. Many of them produce mineral water of good quality and can be found on many terraces on a campsite in Slovenia . The country is proud of its soil – just look at the picture on the national flag: mount Triglav (three heads) with its 2864 the highest Slovenian mountain waves proud on all flag masts. At the campsites in Slovenia , near the caves and also at that tiny piece of coast.

 

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