Chilling in Slovakia

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Not much to say in this entry since I did a lot of relaxing and exploring of Eastern Slovakia with its many small cities and villages. Basically, I went from Hungary north into Slovakia's second largest city (but still small) called Kosice. From there I checked out Slovansky Raj National Park and a heritage town called Levoce. Did some hiking in the national park and checked out some musuems. Then, I spent a couple days in the High Tatras and small resort towns called Stary Smokevec and Horny Smokevec....and some more hiking. The scenery and mountain air were great, check the photos!

The food has been great here with lots of knedle (small dough dumplings), garlic soup, sausages, and pork cutlets...all washed down with realy good and cheap Slovak beer.

On my way to the Czech Republic this evening and lookign forward to spending several days in Prague, which I hear from everyone is very good.

Dovidenia, for now!

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Photos

Spisky Nova Ves
Communist style buildings contrasting the pleasant countryside next to Slavensky Raj National Park.

Metalic Sculptures
From the Technical Musuem in Kosice featuring exhibits on the history of some modern technologies.

Cathedral and Chapel
In the main square of the old town centre of Kosice.

Spissky Hrad
Old rock castle on the way to Levoce.

Levoce Centre
Town Hall and Museum in the nicely restored old town centre.

Cage of Shame
Where the bad people went so that the towns people could laugh and mock them...good thing GF never had one of these!!

Last Supper
Icons and sculptures found in a museum in Levoce. The museum lady also showed a film on the history of the town.

Sketchy Hiking Platforms
Metal platforms loosely secured to the rocks above the river in Slovensky Raj NP.

Stone Bridge
Slovensky Raj National Park

Slovakian Countryside
View from Slovensky Raj NP looking at some of the adjacent villages.

Slovensky Raj NP
Another view in the park where I spent several hours hiking around all sorts of trails.

Joanna and Jan
Friendly Polish people that I met while hiking in the High Tatras. The Chalet in the background is one of the oldest in Europe.

High Tatras
The weather wasn't perfect but the fresh mountain air was great and the small resort towns fun to explore.