Typical!!! For the first time in a week the sun has come out and we can see the High Tatras from Dana and Tibor's house!!! And today we have to begin the long drive back to France! Bother, bother and double bother!!
Originally the plan was to go skiing with all the Hmoradka family and stay the night in their ski resort on our way home, but Mischa awoke with a high temperature and Tomi was feeling a little worse for wear. Dana was very disappointed as she loves to ski and was really looking forward to a day out. Sadly, Plan B, was a walk around their village, Stola.
The village is a lot bigger than expected. Bisected by the main road to the High Tatras National Park, the main street is littered with abandoned and crumbling soviet style buildings. First impressions are not good. But two streets back, the village is full of quaint wooden holiday chalets. With the bad weather and our action-packed programme, we had not had time to go for a wander earlier.
Many of the beautifully restored chalets are owned by Slovakians living in Bratislava or overseas. Unfortunately this means that, like Wanaka, out of the summer tourist season, the village is very quiet. It is also hard for Mischa and Tomi as there are very few children of their age living in the village. All their friends are at school.
We have had such a wonderful time with Dana & Tibor we are sad to say goodbye! But hopefully it will be "Au revoir" and not good-bye.
They should be very proud of their children and all that they have achieved with their business. The High Tatras is truly a special part of the world and we feel privileged to have visited the mountains and forest with such a pair of wonderful guides.
With a last hug, we're back in the car heading west to Vienna.
1 comment:
You know - I have decided that following blogs like yours is like being on holiday ALL THE TIME. Slovakia sounded amazing! Safe travels 'home' to France - let's see if you can do it without getting lost this time? xx
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