Monday 30 November 2015

Slovakia: Wysoke Tatry (High Tatras)

After days of driving which felt as if we were never going to reach Slovakia, we finally arrived at our destination! Wysoke Tatry (High Tatras) have emerged!

The main town in the area: Poprad
 

An early afternoon walk which ended in a restaurant where we had some lovely food.

At the restaurant

The usual dishes we order whenever they are on the menu: potato cakes (placki ziemniaczane) and a type of big ravioli with a variety of fillings (pierogi).

On the way to the village where we were staying 

And that's the village: Stara Lesna

In Tatranska Lomnica from where we were going to take a cable car to the highest peak in Slovakia. Unfortunately, the price for this attraction was atrocious and we gave up. There was plenty to see around there without paying anything.

On the way to Strbske Pleso. I don't know how anyone can pronounce that! It's even hard for me!

Strbske Pleso (Pleso means lake)

Waiting for a cog train to take us from Stary Smokovec up to some waterfalls. None arrived though and as we learnt the station was closed for annual maintenance!

I said to the kids the station was closed to which Micky responded with a very sad face: 'Oh' and a moment later her face lit up: 'We need a key!'
 

Wysoke Tatry (High Tatras)

On the way to Poland

27 - 30 October 2015

Sunday 15 November 2015

Greece: Corfu & Ioannina

No matter how organised one wants to be there is always going to be a surprise or two when you travel. The plan to take a ferry to Corfu from Sarande didn't work out last minute. And it was literally last minute. We were about to board a ferry when we learnt that the car with the roof rack on was too tall for the boat. We were allowed to board but the roof bag and the rack would have to be taken off which we found to be far too much of hassle for such a short journey that we decided to travel to the port of Igoumenitsa in Greece. The ferry crossing was slightly longer from there but it was cheaper as there was an abundance of ferry companies serving the route to Corfu and the drive to Igoumenitsa was quite pleasant. 

On the way to Igoumenitsa

At the villa Valentino, Corfu

Another perfect fit!


Views from our bedroom, there were two windows, one overlooking the pool and bar, the other - the back yard

The back yard with the mountain view

Aaron enjoyed the peace and quiet in the bar whilst working on his off roading videos.

Tikki touring around the North part of Corfu

Checking the temperature of the sea. Not bad.

Pyrgi - the village where the villa was located, 11km from Corfu town

Corfu town
 

 Bling, bling!
 

The Old Fortress in the background

Views from the top of the Old Fortress hill

The new fortress

All excited about to enter a lovely patisserie

Choosing their treats
 

On a ferry leaving Corfu

Corfu Town seen from the sea

The new fortress seen from the sea

The old fortress seen from the sea

Ioannina - a short stop on the way North
 
 

 

Here comes the frog! 

A night in Thessaloniki before crossing the border into Bulgaria

On the way to Bulgaria - a very quick lunch stop

I must admit that despite a very bad impression that Bulgaria made on me last year it was quite interesting to drive through it this year. It didn't seem as bad as last time and I'd gladly go back to explore it more. 

Going through Bulgaria wasn't our first choice of route North, however, due to the closure of the  Hungarian southern border we didn't have much choice. And whilst going through Bulgaria was rather smooth, driving through Romania was painfully slow. Mainly due to lots of roadworks. We spent three nights in Romania as we were only able to cover 200-250km a day despite spending whole days in the car. We were relieved when we finally left Romania and drove into Hungary.

A very lazy day in Sophia, Bulgaria, basically catching up on cuddling, lying in and watching TV. The day was miserable: rainy and cold so there was no incentive for us to leave the apartment.

About to leave Bulgaria. Romania is on the other side of the river.

A complete change of weather in Romania: sunny and warm. Enjoying our usual lunch.

What an eyesore!

View from the pension in Romania where we spent the night.

A railway station somewhere in Romania

A short stop for a quick car fix

And a few minutes later - another one.

12 - 25 October 2015

Morocco: Western Sahara: Tan Tan - Alsa

Our next route was taking us from Tan Tan (the end of first route) across the Western Sahara to a town called Alsa which Chris Scotts whose...