It's been a long time coming

We're back! I see that almost 2 years have flown by since I wrote an entry - has anyone noticed that time moves more quickly once you turn 30?! Anywhooo. I won't bore you with the in between bits, but I thought I would get back on the horse for the last year of our European adventure, yayyyyy.

We begin our story in the land of deer and wolves and bears (oh my?), Slovakia. 

Off we set with our high quality Chinese made, ebay bought fishing rods shoved into a backpack (so that we didn't have to pay Ryan Air for extra baggage, obviously). Ryan air supplied its usual selection of gourmet non - vegetarian food for our early morning flight to Krakow, Poland. My piece of panini with the remnants of melted cheese (which all came off with the transference of ham to Brad) was simply to die for.

Beautiful Slovakia

We had flown into Krakow as there was a direct flight there from Gran Canaria and our fishing adventure was to begin only a short 2 hour drive over the border into Slovakia. You could say that I was a little overwhelmed by Polish driving habits, and that was before we had even exited the car park at the airport. Brad conveniently "forgot" his International Driver's permit and was therefore unable to help a brother out. Never mind, peak hour traffic in Krakow really is not that bad...... *ahem*. With the dawning of free roaming in the EU, we were at least able to stream the eagles' elimination final which got me through... 

SHHUUEEYYYYYYYY!!!!



WELL, you should have SEEN the place that Brad hooked us up with in Ruzomberok in northern Slovakia. It was a gorgeous little wooden hut in the middle of a pine forest, with a fire place and no internet (#nowifirealconnection #igotbored #butdonttellbrad). There was a mouse running around all night keeping me awake, but geez was he bloody cute, so that was okay with me. We settled in for some red wine in front of the fire and prepared mentally for the next day's fishing adventure. 

Mountain cottage on point!

We drove to the meeting point we had agreed on with our guide and were waiting patiently, when we saw this huge bus arrive, filled with people wearing camouflage, with all the fishing gear you could ever dream of. Brad and I looked at each other - me in hiking pants and runners and Brad in jeans and bright green beanie. What had we signed up for??? We had under estimated how seriously they take their fishing in Slovakia, clearly! Luckily, it turned out the world fly fishing championships were on that very day and we would be nowhere near these people... 

(Note: camouflage in the background, us in jeans)

The guide was adamant that untangling knots in a fishing line is practising patience. Let's just say that Brad did a lot of practising patience that day... The rivers were full of fish (mainly brown trout, rainbow trout and grayling) and we have never caught so many in our lives.

They were only little ones because it was reaching the end of the season and all the big boys had been taken already. That's what we tell ourselves anyway. Of course, Brad was an absolute pro by the end of the trip. Too bad we hadn't signed up for those world championships afterall... A few days later, on another river with another guide, we had some really good fun with a dry fly - the fish were jumping out of the water in front of us and we spent hours changing flies and casting in one pool! 

Yes, the fishing was fun. But let's face it, the most entertaining part for me were the over sized waders supplied by the guides! Exhibit A:

That night, we heard...... A BEAR! *pause for dramatic effect*............... 

Okay, that information is completely unconfirmed but I am telling you, I you tubed it later and it was absolutely a brown bear. Right near our cottage! Brad still doesn't believe me, but I know the truth.

I was even given permission to light the fire that night, but soon regretted even asking as Brad (the pyro) sat on the couch giving me "helpful" tips. Gotta love those back seat fire lighters. 

Evidence of bear, according to our fishing guide

Of course we explored more of the country than just the two rivers we fished on near Ruzomberok. The castles in Slovakia are epic and so are the UNESCO heritage listed villages like the ones pictured below. What a beautiful country and so cheap! We also found a Liam Hemsworth lookalike (see below)...

Mmmmm delicious... the food looks alright, too.

Bryndzové halusky - dumplings in sour cream topped with bacon

Vlkolínec

Spis Castle

Luckily, the food on the flight home was a bit better...