Episode 22.
You know you’re getting old when you prioritize mowing grass before finishing up the newsletter episode on a Monday evening… Thirty-five soon; time flies. Besides finding excuses, I’m at least ageing consistently.
Turning this week’s episode upside down, let’s start with food. Took a couple of days off, and spent them around Lake Bohinj. Went for a run, walked knee deep in the cold water, hung out with the ducks, read a book – this time a physical one and listened to some great music. I love how I can use my past episodes as a bookmark and idea for an album. But the main point? Food.
Started at Restavracija Majer’ca, Thursday evening – no reservation. We got a table for two under the condition to finish up before 19:30 – sure. 4-course menu, pick your dishes by yourself. One glass of sparkling, one glass of white wine.
The ambience, the service and the food reflected the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recommendation. The asparagus cold starter blew me away, and the watermelon gazpacho was something unexpected. For the main dish, we followed Sven’s recommendation and went with Chicken and Duck. Both deserve high praise. Service level declined a little bit with the restaurant crowding up, and the price was fair; my only complaint was the dessert. Didn’t scratch an itch – but the final sip of the wine did. 9/10.
Quick mention of the Privillage Stare accommodation’s breakfast. The quality and the selection were above expectations; the only thing I missed was my espresso machine. I really need to get an AeroPress…
Second dinner/lunch at Restavracija Ukanc – a bit expensive at first glance, but the gnocchi with beef slices and green pepper, feta salad & cottage cheese dumplings with porcini mushrooms were above and beyond my expectations. A glass of Guerila Retro Red was perfect. Two minor complaints – overly salted porcini and so-so tiramisu (yes, I’m really hard on desserts), but the end price was more than fair. Again, 9/10.
Last day, the loooooong trip back home and a mid-storm stop in Bohinjska Bistrica at Ugrizni Bohinj, more precisely at Divja Jaga, the highlight of the trip in my book – their chicken burger. Perfection, 10/10. So good, we ordered an extra burger for dessert.
ALPI Štručka story
When we’re on the topic of food, most of you probably know what ALPI Štručka is and the legend behind it, but for those new to the topic of a perfect dish, I published a story about how it came to be.
Radenska PSA
Did you know you can buy two different editions of Radenska in Slovenia? You have the popular, well-known Kraljevi vrelec option, but there is also Petanjski vrelec, which is a less sour and more mixable version.
TNP PSA
Triglavski narodni park (TNP) is a national treasure, which comes with its own set of rules. A no-drone rule was among those, which I didn’t prepare for. A bit sad. Even sadder when you see countless dog owners and cyclists breaking those rules. Despite temptations, I have no drone photos of Lake Bohinj.
Q&A
A few episodes ago, I promised a Q&A session that went ignored over the last 2 episodes, but I think it’s time now. A few questions answered below.
Do you use AI and in what capacity?
I’m actively using most AI models available on the market today. My go-to is Claude for coding, website maintenance, analysis, etc. I’m using Gemini in my Google Workspace ecosystem, and I’m slowly drifting away from ChatGPT, which was my main model for the past year. Besides that, I’m testing OpenClaw and Hermes and how best to use available technology in my daily life as best as possible. On the other hand, this newsletter is handwritten on my gorgeous mechanical keyboard. I’m not letting that go.
Could you work as a full-time concert photographer in Slovenia?
In my experience, no. Financially, there’s maybe 2-3 months per year where it could be done, but the rest not so much. You have to shoot other stuff too to stay afloat.
Favourite tiramisu (place)?
Treviso, Italy. A little less than 3h from Ljubljana, the city of Treviso might just be my favourite place on earth – I probably mentioned this a couple times now. Not the Tiramisu World Championship, not the Tiramisu Run that’s happening this year, but the city itself and the people who live there. My favourite spot for tiramisu – Taste Coffee & More.
How are you? Best thing this week?
I’m doing fine – thinking about riding my bike after I finish up this newsletter. You? Best thing this week was Harry Talbot’s announcement about his 2026 book. Really looking forward to that one. Also started to think about making my own a bit more…
Also, this past Sunday, I got the opportunity for an epic ride-along in a Hawk Lancia HF3000 Gr 4/5 Stratos with iconic Marlboro livery. What an experience.
It was like seeing boobs for the first time. It also made me dream about what my three-car garage would look like – a whole new post, also one of the excuses why this episode is a bit late.
Still curious? Ask away.
Story time
Enough for this episode, or should I keep going? I have one more rant and some music queued up. I promise I’ll be quick – what he said.
For context: as a seasoned music photographer for 10+ years and a member of the crew of the biggest Slovenian rock band, I enjoy the privilege of extra access. Not taking it for granted by any chance, I’m still there to do my job. But early in my career, there were countless rejections, denied accreditations and passes, and the rule of three songs still haunts me. I occasionally still challenge myself with it, but to do an artist justice and deliver a gallery to be proud of, a photographer needs more than the first three songs. Not necessarily in the pit, but to show the energy and tell the story, we usually get the best material in the show’s final third. To get back on track with a rant I slept on for over a dozen nights and have to share. I have and had my share of opinions on volunteer photographers and events; here’s another story.
Siddharta usually has a three-song pit rule for media passes, which is there to honour the fans who waited for hours to be in the front row. Sometimes a song more, sometimes less if there are pyrotechnics present. For those three songs, I usually lose myself in the crowd or find an obscure location far from the stage and the pit, to give other photographers and media precious space, which, as privileged as I am, I can take advantage of later in the show.
So, as a member of the band/crew, wearing my VIP/Artist bracelet from the festival, proudly showing the band’s AAA pass and a “SIDDHARTA PHOTO” t-shirt, I take the usual tactics and skip the pit at the beginning of the show. For song 5, B Mashina, it’s finally time to visit the pit, but the security had their own instructions. “No!” was the short answer. “No. Only the official festival photographer can be in the pit,” was the long one.
Despite having the accreditation and passes, despite approaching security respectfully, with a smile and providing all proof I was supposed to be there, the answer was still a hard no. Usually, I’d be a bit mad, but since the same thing happened about 2 years ago, I just found it funny.
The band was finishing up the song; I missed two important photos I had planned, but security was standing firm. Good trait, but my expectations that I’d be able to convince him and do my job weren’t falling on fertile ground. I smiled for the last time, decided to take another route, and despite my preference to spend as little time as possible on stage, that day was an exception. If I can’t shoot from the pit, I’ll be doing it onstage.
Duši, head of Siddharta crew, sorted out the access a bit later, and I got my job done – but I still find it funny and sad that after all this time, such situations still happen. I just hope nobody records a vlog about it. IYKYK.
Playlist update
Finally, Bedroom Sand by Radkey was released. I’m a fan, and Falling Out of Grace is currently one of my favourites. You should check them out.
I also discovered Vended. Anyone up for a trip to Zagreb next week?
No new galleries this past week. Soon.
That’s episode 22.