Day 6: Buddy Bears and Caramel Swans


I made my peace with not getting to do the hike I wanted (this time at least), and we struck out from the High Tatras to Bratislava, about three and a half hours away. Luckily, the highways in Bratislava are great and everything is well-marked, so we had a peaceful drive with no marital yelling about who can't read maps and who can't drive.

About halfway to Bratislava, we stopped at a small town called Spania Dolia, an old town that used to mine copper, legend has it with the help of elves. However, the townspeople offended the elves by offering them clothing and the elves disappeared back into the earth, never to return. Dobby did NOT want a sock.

A miner painted on the wall of the church.



Just some lovely houses and their gardens in Spania Dolia. Slovakia is so alive in the early summer.



We reached Bratislava in the early afternoon and also per the front desk during a freak heatwave, which rendered most of what I'd packed useless. I really could have managed with a carry on for this trip.

Our hotel was the Grand River Park, and its theme is roses... it smells like roses inside and it even has rose themed treatments at the spa. This is because Maria Theresa, the last Hapsburg ruler, was crowned in Bratislava, and she loved Rose's. (Though really who doesn't?) Below is the lobby, our room, and our view out to the Danube River.






Walking down the leafy streets of the promenade to Old Town (Stare Mesto).


I ate this truffle risotto in a parmesan bowl at Carne Valle and it was excellent. 


I followed it up with a scoop of cookie flavored ice cream in front of the opera house. 


Giant corn husk doll in the Slovakian folk art store in Old Town.

The main square in Old Town.


Because I am a glutton, we went to Kormuth Kondetorei for cake after my ice cream...every wall and ceiling is covered in detail and gilt and wood carvings. Beautiful or gaudy, depending on your taste.


d a caramel cream swan with lavender lemonade, after which I had regrets over all that I'd eaten.

Michael's Gate, the last remaining medieval gate to the city.


Just another picture of a good dog.


Hans Christian Andersen statue in Old Town. Bratislava has any number of excellent and quirky statues.


Like the Bratislava buddy bear, below.


Before ending our night, we went to Grand Cru Wine Bar, a tiny little place down a narrow street in Old Town. The owner, Martin, was super friendly and happy to tell us all about local wines as well as the below mead, which has a strong honey flavor up front and then bitters out to an herbal finish on your tongue. 


Finally, below is Bratislava Castle at night--seen from our walk along the river on the way back to the hotel.


Comments

  1. RachelJune 4, 2018 at 1:48 PM

    Your caramel swan looks amazing, but I felt slightly sick just reading about everything you ate. You are heroic in your efforts to eat all the delicious things.

    My mom sympathizes with you appreciating well-marked highways to prevent marital strife. She has often been accused of an inability to read maps.

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