My amazement of such a beautiful country...

Martin and I by his goulash pot!
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Tuesday 30th August

I was so excited to be going to Slovakia!  Martin had already been out there for 3 weeks and so I was really missing him, plus I had never been to Slovakia before.  My expectations weren't that high, unless you have actually been to Eastern Europe I think a lot of people believe that the countries are dirty and backward and not that special - I certainly did anyway.  It was also my first time on a different airline - Sky Europe which left from Luton.  Dad dropped me off and I departed at 10.40am, arriving at 2pm.  Martin was waiting for me at the airport and my gosh was it hot outside!  If the weather stayed like this for the week I was going to be a very happy bunny!  I tried to take in the scenery on the drive to Martin's house but unfortunately I was on the phone with work for a lot of the time :-(  Once at Martin's house I just relaxed and unpacked.

Today was another big day - we were off to the Tatra mountains to climb Mount Rysy.

At the top of Suchy - the first of the three peaks
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Wednesday 31st August

Martin had to go into town today to sort out some bills etc, so I slept in.  The house is so quiet I slept really well and then once up I made myself a bowl of porridge and then sunbathed in the garden until Martin and his parents got back.  We then decided to go and explore Gadenska Dolina, the climbing crag just down the road.  It was all bolted and the first bolt was pretty high up!  We managed to get a few climbs in and then headed back to the house.  That evening Martin made a traditional Slovak dinner - goulash.  It was lovely!

That's where we're going...
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Thursday 1st September

Today was a big day - we were going to do the three peaks walk which took in Suchy, Male Krivan and Velke Krivan. It was a huge walk and it took us 9 hours!  My legs were aching so much by the time we finished.  On the way up Martin got talking to a little Slovakian girl and her mum.  The little girl could speak English and she said she was amazed at how well Martin could speak Slovak - I was too!  It is a very hard language and not one that you could easily pick up - but Martin has!  At Chata Magura we stopped for a Sprite and Coke then carried on.  Most people turn around here but for us it was a mere pit stop.  That evening we eased our aches and pains at Besenova, an outdoor thermal spa.  It was gorgeous - the water was so warm and relaxing but as it was outside we could also enjoy the views of the mountains around us.  After we had spent a few hours there we had dinner at a nearby restaurant and then back home to bed.

And that's where we came from!
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Friday 2nd September

Today we decided to take it easy after yesterday's exploits and so went to Oravice - another outdoor thermal spa but more of a natural, rustic one.  It is also a bit of a drive - practically on the border by Poland so we headed over there early afternoon.  Once there Martin and I decided to have an all-over body massage - for a mere **.  It was amazing although pretty firm!!!

Saturday 3rd September

Today was another big day - we were off to the Tatra mountains to climb Mount Rysy.  In total it took us about 6 or 7 hours - which was quicker than what the guide book advised, we were very pleased!  The views were amazing and then when we reached the top over one side was Poland and where we had just come from was Slovakia...  On the way back down we got caught behind lots of slow people and found the only way we could over take them was if we ran - they'd hear us then and move us out the way!  Unfortunately we started to go just a little bit too fast and I took a spectacular fall.  And helping me up was someone who had only just got out the way of us - the embarrassment of it all!  That evening we went back to Besenova where I soaked my poorly knee :-(

What do you mean there's still one more peak to go!?
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Sunday 4th September

Gadenska Dolina - climbing.

Monday 5th September

Klak - mountain with a view! 3 / 4 hours

At the top of peak number two - Male Krivan
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Tuesday 6th September

Gorge walk - 1 and a half hours