Slovensky raj/Slovak Paradise

Me and Khan were supposed to leave on Thursday very early morning as to avoid the crowds on the train but Khan felt too tired to wake up so we travelled during the day. 5 hours on the train and then half an hour on the bus until we reached the bottom of Slovensky raj (read raay). So far so good. Since it was about five and we still had time and energy we went to have a look around, we walked up the gap Sucha Bela for about 40 mins and then back. We cooked some dinner and went to bed at 8pm as there was nothing else to do.

The next day I intended to wake up at six but somehow I couldn`t and we only got up 3 hours later to leave at about 11am. We went up the gap Prielom Hornadu until Lanova lavka and from there through a forest straight to Klastorisko where we had lunch. There we realized we still have enough time to go the longer way and went through another gap called Maly Kysel and from there back down to Podlesok to the tent.

I have to explain what these gaps really are. It`s a brook or a small river surronded by rock and forest. Sometimes you walk on a small track road either on stones or the roots of the trees and sometimes you go jumping from stone to stone across the water. If there is no way to cross then there are ladders built. Sometimes it`s a little scary as there is nothing to hold on to and under the ladder is just water and rocks. Nothing can describe the beauty, not even the pictures. I highly recommend anyone traveling to Slovakia to go and see on their own.

The second day we went the other direction. First we walked for about an hour to get to Sokol and from there we went through a gap Velky Sokol (Big Falcon) to reach the top of the hill and have lunch. After which we started going down. It sounds less demanding than the first day but Velky Sokol is actually quite long with lots of ladders.

The plan was to sleep in Podlesok three nights but on Saturday it got suddenly so cold that we were not able to sleep properly, it was only 10-12 degrees during the day and a very cold and strong wind was blowing all night and day. So we decided it would be better if we travel at night. We packed the tent and took a bus from Podlesok to Poprad at 7.30pm. The earliest train was at 23.47 and when we wanted to buy the tickets the lady said that train is special and small and we can only ask if they have free couchettes when the train arrives. So no guarantee that we would get on the train, the next one coming at 1.40. Bus would take very long and Khan wanted to sleep well that night so we went to a hotel. And I watched a movie on the tv after a very long time. I don`t know why but somehow I was in a very good mood. Just like that. Maybe from the sudden unexpected comfort.

I wish I could show you all this beautiful place. Whenever any of my friends comes to visit me to Slovakia I`m gonna drag them there. Beware!