Day 64 SLOVAKIA Stary Smokvec

Dobsinska ice cave is UNESCO listed. To get to the ice cave we had to hike a steep incline for 25 minutes to the entrance of the cave. The cave is set in the territory of the Slovak Paradise National Park. Discovered in 1871, and in 1882 electricity was installed, the first in the world. It comprised of three main features Ruffini's Corridor named after the discoverer, the Great Hall and a Small Hall.
The Cave was used by the local youths for ice skating and 'ice festivals' since 1893.

We had langos again from Poprad after the ice caves because it was so delicious the first time. I even got a complimentary cup of expresso for our second visit.

We then headed to a thermal bath in Vrbov to soak our aching bodies and limbs. We observed that we were one of the youngest there. (Maybe it was seniors concession day.)
We met fellow hikers visiting from the UK, one from Bratislava originally, her husband and their 2 friends. We met them yesterday when we were trying to get our refunds for the broken down furnicular, and told them about the baths and the langos. She gave us a tip to try bryndza halušky, a traditional Slovakian dish made from sheep cheese, pasta and bacon at a Koliba (restaurant). We had that for dinner with pirohy (dumpling) and pickled cabbage with pasta and beef cheeks. It was delicious. Glad we weren't eating that daily because it was rich, creamy and full of bacon fat.Read more