Bratislava, Slovakia. Sun 20th July
A night in Bratislava.
It was either an overnight train from Budapest to Prague, or breaking the trip up with a night in another country.
Yes, we are almost back in Vienna - but the dates worked out better doing it this way.
The 2hr 40 minute train trip was very pleasant in a lovely clean train. The hotel was a 5 minute stroll for the station. We had the cabin of 6 seats to ourselves much of the trip.
Accom - Mercue Bratislava Centrum - Such a nice hotel. As we were checking in there were glasses of cold lemon water and happy smiley staff. Love this hotel.
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. Slovakia, in the10th century was part of the Kingdom of Hungary, which then became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After WW11 the nation of Slovaks and Czechs established their mutual state - Czechoslovakia. Slovakia became an independent state when it broke away from the Czech Republic in 1993.
After arriving here we found out the Slovakia is a "high income, advanced economy". We found this out after paying $30 for a short ride in a taxi.
We walked down to 'Old Town' and looked at heaps of lovely old building, then strolled along the Danube River (again - although nowhere near as pretty as in Budapest). We did see a few more river cruise ships. They are ugly flat beasts - should not be allowed to be called a cruise ship. And therefore saw groups of people following the lady with the sign on sight seeing tours.
But it was a lovely dinner. And lucky we only order one to share as it was huge.
Roast duck in cabbage and fried onion with very heavy dumplings. Sarah's wine came in a bucket and was more than luke warm. Raina's beer was lovely and cold.
There are heaps of dogs everywhere we have
been. And the Europeans are so sensible about dogs. They go on the subway, in
taxis, on planes and to restaurants.
Today we saw some dogs. Sarah recognised one as a Československý Vlčák, (a Czeck Shepard) a breed she has researched. They are very Wolf like, being bred down from German Shepard's and Capathian Wolves in the 1950's.
After walking for a few hours we decided it was time to go back to the hotel. Finding a taxi took over 30 minutes. And when we did get one we had the pleasure of travelling in a taxi with the DRIVER SMOKING!!!
Contrary to our personal beliefs we did not die - but are happy not to do that again!
So we have been to Slovakia - and left much of our money behind in their "high income advanced economy".
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