Highlights

🍳 7:00 am – Breakfast and coffee

There’s something lovely about that final-day buzz. Everyone turns up to breakfast a little earlier, a little
more awake, and with that familiar mix of tired legs and excited chatter. Strong coffee, eggs, pastries… we
fuel up like the adventurers we now officially are.

🚌 8:30 am – The “noddy bus” soundtrack of dreams

We pile onto our trusty little bus, still half expecting it to complain about hauling us around again. Instead,
the Slovakian version of Smooth Radio crackles to life and, of all the songs in the world, Waterloo
bursts out.

Within seconds the whole bus is in full ABBA karaoke mode. It’s impossible not to smile, that kind of silly,
joyful moment that knits a group together without trying.

☕️ 9:00 am – The great split

Eight of the group hop off for a gentler adventure: rolling meadows, cafés, wooden walkways and scenic
viewpoints. Their day sounds dreamy, more pastries than pain, more giggling and laughing than climbing, and the perfect
contrast to what awaits us.

🥾 9:20 am – The Big Gorge Challenge

Our route starts innocently enough… then the gorge walls rise, the river roars, and the real fun begins.

There are no ladders today, but the universe clearly decided that we were ready for a new
flavour of fear. Narrow metal platforms cling to the cliff, bolted straight into the rockface, suspended above
churning water. The spray hangs in the air, cool on your skin, while the metal beneath your boots feels just
slick enough to keep you alert.

Chains run along the rock wall, our trusty lifeline, and we grab them without a second thought. Within minutes
our hands are covered in rust and grime. (You know me… I hate getting dirty, but even I had to surrender
to it!)

The gorge echoes with every step, every nervous laugh, every deep breath.

There’s no room for hesitation here. You slip into a rhythm: step, grip, breathe, move. Time
becomes strangely stretchy, both fast and slow, and everyone finds their focus.

Then, like some kind of mountain fairy, Peter calls back, “Choose the best tree root!” The chains disappear for
sections, leaving us clutching at smooth bark and twisted roots like improvised handrails. And somehow, yes…
it makes perfect sense.

The Climb

Just when we think we’ve earned a gentle stroll, the forest presents us with a steep, lung-testing scramble. The
path rises sharply, tangled with roots and loose soil, and the trees form natural ladders around us. It’s
hands-on, committed, heart-pounding hiking, the kind that reminds you you’re very much alive.

My legs burn, my lungs protest, and I absolutely love it.

The Viewpoint Reward

Breaking out of the trees feels like surfacing from underwater. Suddenly we’re standing on a rocky outcrop,
sunlight hitting us full force, the gorge now a dramatic ribbon far below.

We take photos. Then more photos. Then we film ridiculous videos.

Peter, ever the realist, reminds us: “Do not go too close to the edge. Otherwise you will die!” Delivered in his
perfectly blunt Slovakian way. We laugh, but we also take a giant step backwards.

From Drama to Daydream

From there, everything softens. The path spills into wide meadows, glowing green against the blue sky.
Wildflowers line the trail; distant peaks frame the horizon. Spotting mountain goats feels like a bonus level in
a video game.

It’s peaceful, uplifting, the sort of scenery that settles something inside you.

Soon we reconnect with the rest of the group. They’re glowing with café-fuelled joy and tales of waterfalls and
viewpoints. We compare photos, swap stories, and it’s lovely to come together again.

And just like that… the walking is done. Our Slovakia adventure has reached its final chapter.

The Journey Back

A relaxed lunch stop breaks up the long drive, and then reality serves us a slice of motorway misery. Accidents,
roadworks, diversions… you name it. Peter works minor miracles trying to dodge the worst of it, but some jams
are simply unavoidable.

Still, spirits stay high. There’s something cosy about that post-adventure tiredness, the shared snacks, the
gentle conversations drifting up and down the bus.

We reach the airport with time to spare, no drama, no panic, just that familiar bittersweet feeling of a trip
drawing to its end.

Final Thoughts

Slovakia has surprised me in all the best ways. It’s wild and raw, yet peaceful and grounding. Lakes that shine
like mirrors, forests that feel ancient, mountains that make you stop mid-sentence because words just aren’t
enough.

But more than the scenery, it’s the people I’ll remember. This group… wow. You sang, climbed, clung, scrambled,
laughed, swore quietly (or not-so-quietly), and supported each other every single step of the way. Some faced
genuine fears, heights, exposure, slippery metal platforms above loud rivers!  and still kept going. One brave
step at a time.

That’s adventure. Not the distance, not the stats, but the courage to surprise yourself.

Thank you for following along with our journey. I hope these little stories have given you a taste of this
beautiful country. For me, it’s been unforgettable. And as we ease back into “normal life,” I know a little
piece of Slovakia, its cliffs, its rivers, its mischievous roots and fearless spirit — will stay with me.

Until the next adventure.