Slovakia with a Guide!

We arrived at Martin's house at quarter to six on a sunny Sunday evening. He was waiting by the brightly marked in yellow house on the edge of Puchov. And already Martin was full with places to take us and things to tell us. Without him all would have just been a passing picture through the windows of the van; another factory, a big lake, some hills cut away.

The first stop was up the mountains behind his house - 1200m at its highest - slightly chilly but no snow now. We tried the border speciality, a sweet kind of dumpling/doughnut stuffed with blueberries and covered in butter, sugar and yoghurt. This was only the start of our Slovakian culinary experience. We were still to try: soup (cabbage and sausage or homemade vegetable), traditional breads with cheese and meat for breakfast, schnitzel, local sausages, not to mention countless shots to wash it all down. It has to be noted that we were very well looked after.

For our following two days Martin drove us in search of the attractions that he claimed were few and far between. Monday was a thermal water park with not just 38°C heated water but countless slides and a fantastic sauna area below. Turned out to be quite tiring! The next big trip was to Bonjnice Castle. A tour discovered the circular citadel with views in all directions across the valley, a bed chamber, a knight's dressing room and the hidden natural caves underneath it all.

After a storm we parted, us both with a sinking heart but Martin with his own adventures ahead. We have some souvenirs though... plenty of Slovakian chocolates, some hefty alcohol and even a birthday cake and earrings from his kind parents!!