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| Zdiar in the High Tatras Mountains, Slovakia |
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| Our Hostel (Ginger Monkey) - Zdiar, Slovakia |
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| River Walk in the High Tatras - Zdiar, Slovakia |
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| Wayne 'Hanging' Out at the Ginger Monkey - Zdiar, Slovak |
High Tatras (Zdiar), Slovakia (5/25-26/2011) – What a wonderful break from the big cities!
After several rides on a train and buses we landed at the little village of Zdiar in the beautiful Bela Valley of the Tatra Mountains that divide Slovakia and Poland.
Zdiar is so small we missed the bus stop and were dropped off a mile up the road. Fortunately it was downhill to roll our bags to get back.
Zdiar in the High Tatras was founded at the beginning of the 17th century. Most of the population was farmers, shepherds, and miners. Today, with only 1,307 inhabitants, Zdiar is attractive for skiing and beautiful hiking.
After several rides on a train and buses we landed at the little village of Zdiar in the beautiful Bela Valley of the Tatra Mountains that divide Slovakia and Poland.
Zdiar is so small we missed the bus stop and were dropped off a mile up the road. Fortunately it was downhill to roll our bags to get back.
Zdiar in the High Tatras was founded at the beginning of the 17th century. Most of the population was farmers, shepherds, and miners. Today, with only 1,307 inhabitants, Zdiar is attractive for skiing and beautiful hiking.
We relaxed at our very laid back hostel, the Ginger Monkey, that is an original goral (mountain people) house (see photo). These houses are characterized by painted ornamentation, especially around the windows. We went on the 2-hour river walk along a pretty river, across the local ski resort, and back through the village of Zdiar. The small homes and pensions are very charming! - see photos.
Some history… Since 10th century, Slovakia became a part of the Kingdom of Hungary, which, after 1867, formed a union with the Austrian Empire and became the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. After WWI, in 1918, the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia.
Following WWII, Czechoslovakia became a communist country. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully in 1993, known as Velvet Divorce, and Slovakia became an independent country. Slovakia experienced more difficulty in developing a modern market economy and remains one of the poorer countries in Europe but now it boasts one of the fastest growing economies in Europe.
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| Skiing - Zdiar-Strednica, Slovakia |
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