May 4 - Return to Gemer County

Hotel Rohozna, Brezno

Today we had a beautiful drive through the Czech countryside, then on to the freeway (not so beautiful) to Bratislava and beyond, and finally on to the country roads with which we are so familiar.  We could not resist stopping at Kraskova and a few other places along the way.  It was very difficult to NOT turn off on the road to Rakos, but it was 5pm by then and we still had a ways to go to our hotel in Brezno.
We had selected 8 photos to upload, but so far it has taken 25 minutes and not completed the first photo...... we will try again later.
Happy Birthday, Joanne.

 

Kokava

Very old church at Kraskova

Upstairs to the organ loft

Yes! the organ works!

The pastor in the pulpit

As we were driving away from the church, several boys on bicycles were coming toward us and in the middle of them our friend Paul, who had met us last year with the keys to the church.  So we went back and were able to go inside with Paul.  We photographed (again) the 600 year old frescos and climbed into the organ loft where Paul pumped the organ and Carolyn played a few notes.   And, you even climb up to the pulpit in these old churches.

Rimavska Bana

If you think I messed up putting this sideways, think about the people who painted the roof of this medieval church RED!  (it looks somewhat picturesqe, but in our opinion, it looked better last year)We did not go inside this time, but this church contains some of Slovakia's most treasured frescos.

On the Road Again!

On May 1st we flew from Anchorage to Frankfurt where we picked up our rental car and drove to Ceske Budejovice.  We overnighted at Pension Stilek (we had stayed there last year and thought it was quite nice).   It was about a 5 hour drive from Frankfurt and it was a very nerve-wracking one as it is on the autobahn with cars, vans, buses and trucks all going at least 90 miles an hour!

Today has been very peaceful.... and truly 'on the road again'.

It is definitely Spring here in the Czech Republic at Pension Stilek

These two jeeps were authentically tricked-out US military jeeps.  The people were wearing different, what appeared to be US military uniforms, complete with sidearms and rifles.  Later on, down the road, we saw 4 other similar jeeps.  One of them mounted a 50-caliber machine gun!

The walled city of Trebon

You never know what you will see along the road! 

And, an old kloster on a knoll along the side of the road kind of in the middle of nowhere.

Telc, another walled city.

"Intermission"

The girls have come to visit us, to meet the relatives and to see what this part of the world is all about.  We are having an absolutely wonderful time and are so thankful for this time together!

Budapest was our meeting place and smiles were abundant!

We took a boat ride to view the city lights.  After about 14 hours of travel and a 10 hour time difference it was a little hard to keep their eyes open for the night tour, but they managed.

We took the Hop On Hop Off bus the next day and saw many more city sights.  And a lightening and thunder storm the likes of which we do not see at home!

OF COURSE we went to Rakos.  Every village, town and city has this type of sign.....this one happens to be as we were leaving.....the girls have photos of the sign as we entered.

These two women came to the church to open it so that we could see the inside.  It has been recently refurbished and they were so pleased to be able to show it to us.

It really is a lovely church.  Rakos is (was) a mining town and the crest even appears on the church.

One day we went to Bardejov.  The Lutheran church is in the background.

On that same day we "found" two more wooden churches.

The highlight of the time here has been meeting the family!

Karen and baby Karin (11 mos.)

We had a large dinner meal around 2 o'clock and then it just wouldn't do to have us leave without eating again!

We have seen castles, had a picnic in the rain on the banks of the Danujek River while watching the rafters float by, shopped at Market Day in Poland and have just been having a great time together!
What a great idea Jahna and Karen had to come to Slovakia for a visit!

Storks, Cows, Horses, Sheep and Goats

and even a flock of geese!

Even though we have eaten pork for more than half of our meals here, we have yet to see a pig!