High Tantras: The alpine, snow-strewn High Tatras jut out of the valley floor north of Poprad where we got our train to from Bratislava (then a bus for 1.95 to Zdiar, (beware out of season timetable ie there is a 6.25 pm bus but then not til 9.35pm.)Some five million people a year go to the Tantras to walk, climb, cycle or ski. A 600km network of hiking trails, chairlifts and cable cars reach all the alpine valleys and some peaks, with chaty (mountain huts) to stop at along the way. In high summer and winter seasons, trails are densely crowded. You’ll need to climb further than in Slovakia’s other mountains to have some of it to yourself, but the rewards are breathtaking. - Lonley Planet
Accomodation: Ginger Monkey, Zdiar, High Tantras 13 euros includes breakfast. Wicked hostel except powdered milk and cold rooms! Heating comes on at midnight but not before! But they are great at lending out coats and gloves and giving local info. Many people stay longer than planned. Is a bit of a boozy hostel...nights sleep was interupted quite a lot by late night drinkers!
I actually woke up quite early in Bratislava and spent the best part of 2 hours uploading photos to facebook as my camera memory is nearly full. Then it was quite a rush to get some tesco shopping and walk to the train station for 12.10
On the train to Poprad in the north of Slovakia and the gateway to the Tantras were a bunch of drunken and slightly smelly Slovaks so we were glad when they got off! The journey passed uneventfully, but I really enjoyed the gorgeous scenery esp one region where there were foliage of yellow, greens and browns in a whole variety of hues and like Croatia the landscape changed quite quickly within a short distance.
Due to it being out of season, there was no 5.30 bus so in effect we had to wait 1 1/2 hours in rather cold weather and it was dark by the time we got on the bus (platform 5) but fortunately a couple of kiwi guys were also staying at ginger monkey hostel because in the dark it was hard to see the landmark directions / where to get off that I had copied off of the website, and it was all down to me because Rozie was in effect blind due to not having her contacts in!
First impressions of the hostel: very homely, much busier than I imagined at this time of year, I really like the wood flooring and panelling and warmth of the kitchen and definately looking forward to watching one of their many DVDs in the lounge! They made a Thai green (veg) curry in the evening which we decided to chip into as it seemed the more sociable option than using our organised and rather sub standard pasta and sauce which is almost coming out of my ears! The staff mingle with the guests and there is an air of informality which I like a lot.
There's lots of interesting people here including 6 that bought a camper van and are basically sleeping in it most of the time but hook up with hostels to use the facilities or just a comfy bed as a treat. I would like to do this as its cheaper and a different way of travelling.
Money spent: Shopping 13.23 plus 3.23 shared stuff, Train 14.40, bus 2.20, drink 1.10, accom 13, hostel curry meal 3.
Thurs 22nd first full day
It was quite cold last night but had a cozy duvet and nicked 2 extra blankets from the lounge. Had a nice breakfast which is included (but the free 'all day' tea and coffee use bloody powder milk how crap is that!?) and then headed out on a supposed 2 or 4 hour walk depending on whether you came back after the river walk and before the forest walk or not. Boy oh boy, it was snowy! I didn't really expect this, don't get me wrong it was absolutely awesome but I do not have the right footwear!! Connor, Ro, an American girl called Jackie, me and Wally the dog left at about 11.30 am. We walked down to the bus stop and then started following the green trail with medically hyperactive dog in tow, or should I say nearly pulling my arm out of it's socket. The path itself altered between extreme mud and slush and extreme (deep!) fluffy white snow. It seemed we were arctic explorers, er, but without the map or any sensible gear but wading through thick snow trying to ignore the icy feet feeling as we got progressivly more wet, and as we trampled over hidden footpaths and marker trails, ducking under or struggling over the copious branches that had fallen in the way. We ended up losing the trail and having to scramble up a hill to get our bearings. We wernt too far from the ski lifts and walked back along the concrete road to the hostel stopping by the little corner shop on the way back.
Made pasta and sauce for a late lunch upon our return and had our bread for tea. I think my 1 euros red wine is responsible for my head ache ha ha.
Money spent: Shopping 2.33, accom 13.
Friday 23rd Oct - 2nd day High Tantras
Today I was up and out on the 10.50 bus to do a 5 hour walk with American Jackie and another American guy. This time we lined our shoes with plastic bags we looked like fahionistas baby! the serious trekkers must have wondered what had hit them - but I'm glad we did because the combination of slush, mud and various compositions of snow made life difficult enough! It was quite hard to remain vertical and we all had a few near-falls. Because we bombed it (we actually got to the top in 2 hours rather than 3 and back down in 1 1/2 rather than 2) we were all quite hot, and I kinda wished I didnt have so many clothes on me! But on the descent I was glad I did because my feet were like icicles once again where the good old plastic bags had let the snow through in the end. The walk itself was awesome and it felt so good to be out trekking in the genuinley 'fresh' air! Much of the trek followed a stream which was just so pretty with the fallen snow even if the surrounding visability was quite misty.
We ended up getting the 3.55 bus back which meant time for a shower and a film before heading out to the local pizzeria for the hostels traditional pizza night!
Money spent: Accom 13, pizza and beer 3 euros (shared) and bus 2 euros.
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