New York/JFK Airport - Terminal One. Lufthansa Boeing 747.
The Strecno Castle (Strecno, Slovakia) dated as far back as 1384.
View from the tallest tower of the Strecno Castle (Strecno, Slovakia): the village of Strecno, the Vah river and the Krivanska Mala Fatra Mountains
The chapel in the Strecno Castle (Slovakia)
A WWII memorial dedicated to the French partisans in Strecno (Slovakia). View from the Strecno Castle.
The Strecno Castle (Entrance Gate)
Early breakfast on the way to the Vratna Valley
Lisa discovering home-made string cheese [photo by Francis].
On the way to the Horne Diery Canyon (Mala Fatra National Park, Slovakia)
Abandoned shepherds' cottages (Mala Fatra National Park, Slovakia)
The hiking trail in the Horne Diery Canyon (Mala Fatra National Park, Slovakia)
Ascending the ladders in the Horne Diery Canyon (Mala Fatra National Park, Slovakia)
The final descent to the valley was quite nasty - the trail was wet from the last night's rain and therefore quite muddy and slippery.
Some fell more frequently than others, but fortunately we suffered no serious injuries [photo by Lisa].
I picked up some mushrooms along the way.
After the hike in Stefanova (Mala Fatra National Park, Slovakia)
The Vratna Dolina Valley - Entrance to the Mala Fatra National Park (Slovakia)
On the way to the abandoned Gold- Antimony ore deposit at Magurka (Nizke Tatry National Park, Slovakia)
Sandstone spheres in a quarry at Cadca - Megonky (Slovakia). This is also an Earthcache (GCZWWW).
Sandstone spheres in a quarry at Cadca - Megonky (Slovakia)
Countryside around Hrcava (Czech Republic)
Countryside around Hrcava (Czech Republic).
Walking the line. Francis is the Czech Republic, I am in Slovakia and Andi could not quite make up her mind [photo by Lisa].
Triple point. Lisa, Francis and Andi in Poland
Triple point (the monument). We are standing in the Czech Republic, accross the yellow handrail is Poland. The bridge and the walkway lead to Slovakia.
Triple point. Andi, Lisa and Francis in the Czech Republic
Triple Point. Border crossing on a hiking trail between the Czech Republic and Poland
A quick lunch break in the village of Korna.
Francis' "trencher"
DOOOOO IIIIIIITTTTTT!!!!!!!
Natural crude oil spring in Korna, Slovakia
Arrival at the campsite in the Pieniny National Park (Slovakia). We are cooking dinner and organizing our stuff on the stage that is used for a Folklore Festival once or twice a year. Picturesque Tri Coruny (Thre Crowns) peaks are in the background.
Traditional rafting on the Dunajec River (Pieniny National Park, Slovakia)
Lisa and Andi at Janosikov Skok, the narrowest spot on the Dunajec River (Pieniny National Park, Slovakia). It is named after Slovakia's national hero - Janosik - who (according to a legend) jumped accross the river into Poland to escape capture.
View of the typical "Klippe" geological structure across the Dunajec River in Poland (Pieniny National Park, Slovakia).
Swimming in the natural Crater Lake in Vysne Ruzbachy, Slovakia.
Crater Lake in Vysne Ruzbachy, Slovakia. In spite of its name (and near perfect round shape), this travertine lake has nothing to do with volcanic activity of any kind.
Waking up in the Pieniny National Park (Slovakia). Cloudy skies and intermittent rain made it very hard to crawl out of warm sleeping bags
Active travertine-forming spring at Siva Brada, Slovakia. The Chapel of the Holy Cross (upper right) was built on top of the hill which formed from springs such as this one.
A crucifix in front of the the Chapel of the Holy Cross at Siva Brada, Slovakia
Chapel of the Holy Cross at Siva Brada, Slovakia was built in 1675
Andi drinking from a highly mineralized (sulfur-rich) natural spring at Siva Brada, Slovakia
The majestic ruins of the Spissky Hrad Castle (UNESCO World Heritage).
The village of Spiske Podhradie as seen from the Spissky Hrad Castle. The Vysoke Tatry (High Tatra) Mountains in the background to the right.
The outer defenses of the Spissky Hrad Castle (UNESCO World Heritage)
Climbing the narrow stairs to the tallest tower of the Spissky Hrad Castle [photo by Francis]
Andi with the Vysoke Tatry (High Tatra) Mountains in the background. Picture taken on top of the tallest tower of the Spisky Hrad Castle.
The four of us on top of the tallest tower of the Spisky Hrad Castle. The Vysoke Tatry (High Tatra) Mountains in the background.
Reconstructed kitchen in the Spisky Hrad Castle (Slovakia)
A panoramic view of the town of Dobsina, Slovakia
Francis is about to start the main course of his three course dinner ...
... a 1.3 kg portion of roasted pig leg with mustard, horseradish and pickled vegetables, because you know - vegetables are healthy [photo by Lisa].
Francis the Carnivore [photo by Lisa].
The Dobsinska Ladova Jaskyna (Dobsina Ice Cave), Dobsina, Slovakia
Andi exploring an old mine near Nizna Boca, Slovakia
The Demanovska Jaskyna Slobody Cave (Demanova, Slovakia)
Views of the Zilina Basin with the Vah River from the road to Klacianska Magura
Brown bear paw print on the road to Klacianska Magura.
Andi and Lisa drinking beer just after sunset at the Klacianska Magura cottage.
Sunset over the river Vah, close to the city of Zilina. Photo taken from the road to Klacianska Magura.
My hometown (Martin, Slovakia) at dusk . Photo taken from the road to Klacianska Magura.
The Bartolomej Adit in the Open-Air Mining Museum (Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia)
Open-Air Mining Museum (Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia)
GeoPark (Exhibit on Slovakia's geology) in the Open-Air Mining Museum (Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia)
Andi and Lisa
Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia
The Holy Trinity Square with the Plague Column in its center (Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia)
Detail of one of the statues at the Plague Column (Holy Trinity Square, Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia)
Banska Stiavnica (Slovakia) - The lower part of the Holy Trinity Square with the New Castle tower in the background.
The Michal (Michael) Adit in the Slovak Mining Museum in Banska Stiavnica (Slovakia)
Banska Stiavnica (Slovakia) - The Holy Trinity Square
Banska Stiavnica (Slovakia). Kalvaria in the background.
Banska Stiavnica (Slovakia)
Earth, Sky ... and Andi.
Francis, Lisa and Andi with Kalvaria in the background (Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia)
Banska Stiavnica - Kalvaria (Slovakia)
Banska Stiavnica (Slovakia). A thunderstorm is creeping over the Stiavnicke Vrchy Mountains.
Sunset over the Lucanska Mala Fatra Mountains (Slovakia). The radio and TV transmitter at Martinske Hole is clearly visible.
Photographing the sunset [photo by Andi].
Sunset over the Lucanska Mala Fatra Mountains (Slovakia)
On the way to the Sutovo Waterfall. Francis was the only one who completed the optional traverse of this fairly unstable rope bridge.
Correspondingly focused and scared ...
Arriving at the Sutovo Waterfall (Slovakia).
The Sutovo Waterfall (Slovakia). The plans for impromptu "showering" were scrapped once Andi realized how cold the water was.
Andi and at the Sutovo Waterfall (Slovakia)
Svaty Jur (Slovakia). Retrieving a geocache hidden high up in a abandoned ski-jumping bridge.
Svaty Jur (Slovakia). Wine tasting in my friend Brano's wine cellar.
Svaty Jur (Slovakia). My friend Brano siphoning off some of his wine for us to take to the US.
Geocaching and exploring the Turiec Region around my hometown of Martin.
Geocaching and exploring the Turiec Region around my hometown of Martin (in the background, to the left)
Geocaching and exploring the Turiec Region around my hometown of Martin. The two peaks in the background are Tlsta (left) and Ostra (right)
Architecture typical of Vlkolinec is preserved as a part of UNESCO World Heritage
Vlkolinec (Slovakia)
Vlkolinec (Slovakia) - Drinking water pump in the center of the village
Andi in Vlkolinec (Slovakia)
All Saint's Church near Ludrova (Slovakia) dating back to the first half of 13th century.
Underground geocaching (GC12TCX) - Andi inside the old (19th century) Dorothea Silver/Gold Mine in Pukanec (Slovakia)
