High Tatras Day - Popradske Pleso

Day 4: The tram station is just a stone throw away from our hotel. So, we took the tram from Strbske Pleso to Popradske Pleso, which is just one stop away. Then we hiked what seemed like forever to Popradske Pleso. the road was asphalted, but was winding and steep on most parts. We reached our destination just in time for lunch. It was very tiring but the view was really stunning. The kids had a little time to "rest" in the small playground. The hike down was much better and luckily caught the tram back to the hotel.

High Tatras - Skalnate Pleso

Day 3: Rode the cable car up to Skalnate Pleso. Sadly, we didn't get tickets for the cable car to Lomnicky Stit. Took a walk around the lake, which again, Karol didn't care much for. The kids, enjoyed the playground after lunch. The biglets, myself and Lola took the ski lifts to Lomnicke Sedlo. It was quite cold and windy at the top. And just as we were about to start hiking, the rain started. So we decided to go back down instead.

High Tatras - Mala Studena Dolina

Day 2: We took the funicular cable car from Stary Smokovec to Hrebienok. Then from there, we followed the trail to the small water falls. Kids walked by themselves, except for Andy of course. :D It's the second time that Alex walked this trail. Karol was here before on a back carrier 2 years ago. He didn't care much for walking this time. But we made it with just a bit of crying in the river. Walked back and had lunch in Hrebienok, and back to Stary Smokovec via cable car. Finished off the trip with a cake and coffee (chocolate for me) at the local cake shop.

High Tatras - Strbske Pleso

Day 1: Arrived mid-afternoon just in time to check-in to our hotel. Dropped our bags, unpacked and went straight to go boating in Strbske Pleso.

it's just the beginning...

to buy or not to buy a house/land?
kittsee or bratislava?
to renovate or build a new house?
to sell the apartment or get a mortgage?

these were just a few questions we've been trying to answer. after a long time of waiting and decision making, we finally found and bought a house in kittsee. the house is very old but the land is quite big. in less than two hours after viewing it, we decided to buy it. luckily our loan was approved, and after a couple of months or so we got the keys to our future home.

we've visited the site several times, but only to show it to family and friends. the house needs a lot of work. today was the first time we actually started working on it. we planned to clean it up a bit and have the experts have a look.

the idea is to first make it livable as a summer house with a little bit of re-painting here and there, and some... then slowly start the renovations in 5 or 10 years from now, depending on the budget. :D it's a long time to go, but we, and by that i mean i, could already picture our dream home.

in the morning we started cleaning. mostly, it involved throwing out the things the previous owner left behind plus a little bit of sweeping and dusting. it was at least a start and it felt good.

in the evening, we met with hubby's uncle who is actually a contractor. i was really excited with this meeting. we wanted him to have a look at the place and give us ideas as to what we can or cannot do with the place. being the expert that he is, he had lots of ideas and suggestions, but sadly, not the kind that we've expected. he told us that it's just his initial assessment and it's just brainstorming. in spite of this, i know that what he told is also realistic. so realistic in fact that i felt like my dream house suddenly collapsed. :(

sigh! what a tiring day! we will be meeting again in two days. i don't know if anything will change. but for now, we'll first focus on our short term goal and clean up the place, try to make it homey for the summer months, and let the kids enjoy the enormous lawn.

bus 66

in the morning, i was driving the biglets to kindergarten. we were waiting for the traffic lights to turn green when i saw bus 66 pulling away from the stop ahead of us. seeing the back of the bus instantly brought back fond memories from 2004.

the hotel we used to stay in is just two bus stops away. it's the very same bus we used to ride to go to work. most often than not, we have to run just to catch the bus. otherwise, we'll all be late if we wait for the next one.

one time, just as we were turning from the corner, we saw our bus pulling away. then everyone (imagine ten, if not more, asians) started running and flailing their arms like crazy to call on to the driver. it must have been a sight for these slovaks who are not so used to seeing asians, much more a flock of them. anyways, surprisingly, the driver stopped to let us in.

everyone was scrambling to get in when i suddenly got a phone call. it was matej! turned out he was driving by on his way to work. he saw us and told me he could give me a ride. i was already halfway up the bus but he insisted i stay, so i did. i could still see the look of surprise on my friends' faces when the bus finally pulled away. yes, the open-mouthed kind of look! :))

the car arrived just a few moments before the bus. i didn't have time to explain to anyone but when everyone saw us HHWW to office, everyone understood. i couldn't see them behind me, but i felt like all eyes were on us and could feel the blood rushing to my face. we just started dating back then, and some of my colleagues didn't even know it until then.

i don't know why i suddenly got so nostalgic. could have been the corrs singing, or that hubby is away for a week. but one thing i'm sure about, that was one kilig moment i will not forget. :)