Lets Run those Rapids

We promised yesterday that we would tell you about our rafting trip. This was the highlight of our day out in Slovakia.

Before we could go rafting though, the raft had to arrive on a lorry, in bits, and be put together. This is because the trip is one way, owing to the fast moving water and stretches of white water.


The raft sections were slid off the top of the lorry along a couple of poles and two men had to catch the sections in mid flight before they crashed into the ground. It was a bit scary and we made sure we didn't get in the way.

Strapping the sections together on the river was a rather more straightforward operation and we were happy to lend a paw with the finishing touch - sprigs of fur to keep splashes from coming in the raft. In reality, as it was a real scorcher of a day, we could have done without these splash guards although they did make the raft look traditional.


As we got under way on our trip through the simply beautiful Dunajec Gorge we discovered that our seating position wasn't really that comfortable and we kept slipping down the gap between the raft sections. You've got to agree we don't look too relaxed in our next picture.


After a chat with our friendly Slovakian polers we soon discovered a better solution. They suggested we make ourselves a comfortable nest at the front of the raft using their traditional waistcoats, which it was too hot to wear, as cushioning. We found this very comfortable and it enabled us to make the most of the breeze and any splashes which came aboard as we were expertly manoeuvred through some fairly exciting stretches of white water.


The only drawback, only a slight one, was that we got to see everything backwards and it was quite hard to keep our eyes open.

Lots of love George & Yorkie xxx

Border Crossings

Our cycling route in Poland took us along the river (with an unpronouncable name) which marks the border between Poland and Slovakia. Naturally we couldn't be that close to a country we'd not visited before and not take the opportunity to put a paw over the border to give us another notch on the belt, so to speak.


Here you see us pausing at the border to get our bearports out. Actually if you cross over this very fine new bridge they're not needed as there were no officials in sight. Sadly this meant we couldn't get a stamp for our collection.

Our guide Jakub told us that since this bridge crossing has been opened lots of Slovakians come across at 7.00 a.m. in the morning and buy up all the Polish sausage in the shops as it is superior to Slovakian sausage. Having thoroughly enjoyed our Bigos we can vouch for how good it is! This bulk buying upsets the local Poles as by the time they get to the shops there is no sausage left. In the return the Poles cross over to buy beer and vodka as the Slovakian varieties are reported to be better. We thought we'd better test out this theory with a pint of Slovakian beer and can confirm it was very different - possibly superior but there again there isn't much beer we don't like!


Before we went on a rafting trip, which we'll tell you about tomorrow, we visited the Red Monastery. Here you see us admiring the buildings which are now empty as the monks have moved out. Can you see us?

The grounds were very good for relaxing and doing a bit of sunbathing while we snoozed off our lunchtime beer. Quite by accident, our photo of us relaxing has managed to capture the three peaks of Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) which are the highest peaks in the Pieniny national park. We have to confess not noticing them at the time but at least having them in the photo we can share them with you now.


Lots of love George & Yorkie xxx