Slovenia and Hungary

In Ljubljana, I got to know a few of my 'cell' mates and we planned an excursion to the Scojan Caves early the next morning. John, Johnny and I set out, almost missing the train and then realizing we were on a train to Venice. The ticket seller had told us to get on this train without letting us know to change at the first stop. When the first stop came along we were all at the door, ready to go, but it wouldn't open! We thought for sure that we were going to end up in Italy but luckily there was another stop with a train to connect us to our destination. Once we got to town we still had a three mile hike to the cave which was absolutely spectacular. We wandered through giant rooms with stalactites and mites a couple million years old. Then, when we thought it couldn't get more amazing, the last room opened up into a space almost as big as a football stadium. There was rushing water below that we could hardly see because we were so far above it.
The following day, Ryan (another 'cell mate) and I headed North to a town called Bled. Bled is a picturesque mountain town on a lake with a castle on a cliff and an island with a Church in the middle. It was like something from a fairytale; everything except the downpour of rain. Since our first day in town was a bust (all activities were cancelled) we spent the second day hiking mountains. We went to the Julian Alps on what appeared to be a cloudy day but as we took the gondola up the mountain, the clouds remained in the valley and we were left with beautiful weather. We hiked up through the snow to one of the tallest peaks in the area which provided amazing views of the range. We proceeded back down the mountain, walked around the lake below and then went our separate ways. I hiked an hour and a half more up to a mountain hut where I stayed the night. I heard yodeling on the way up and didn't encounter anyone who spoke a word of English; it was exciting to be so removed.
The following day I summited the peak and descended into a valley with dozens of small shepard's huts. It was a long day of hiking and I got back just in time for dinner. Rafting and canyoning had been on my to do list but unfortunately due to all the rain, the canyons were full of water (but luckily the rafting was better than normal). The morning rafting trip was great (although a little tame compared to Maine rivers); it was nice to be on the water surrounded by mountains.
The next morning I caught the early train to Budapest which took all day (I didn't get into my hostel until 6). My roommate and I headed out to dinner and then on a night river cruise on the Danube. The boat ride was great; Budapest is beautiful by night. They have perfected their city lighting so all the landmark buildings and bridges are showcased while the ugly and grafittied are in shadows.
The following day I woke up early to get a parliament tour only to discover that they were not running due to some ceremony. I took a bus tour of town and got off to see the baths, the palace and the history museum. The museum was nearly empty and its bottom was an old castle which was great to explore; pretty quiet and creepy in the dungeon alone. From the tour I headed to the train station to take the overnight to Krakow which I am heading out to explore.