Tanya's Daily Scoop |
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Finding the front entrance and then walking in was almost no better...
I think you can go inside and there are artifacts on display, but the ticket booth wasn't open and it just wasn't very clear as to what the story was.
Oh well. It was getting hot and we didn't really care all that much.
We then made a stop at the nearby souvenir shop and made a few purchases (in efforts to make our luggage even heavier)!
Oh well. It was getting hot and we didn't really care all that much.
We then made a stop at the nearby souvenir shop and made a few purchases (in efforts to make our luggage even heavier)!
Once we were finished up on the hill, we made our way down and headed to the bus stop, where we would catch the #29 to Devin Castle.
While waiting for the bus to arrive, I spotted a cute little birds nest and kept myself busy watching the adorable little winged ones peek in and out of their nest as the parent bird would fly off and return with food for the wee ones. So darn cute!
The bus arrived, were boarded, and guess what...
No A/C - gimme a freakin' break!
It was nearly 100 degrees and the buses have no A/C?! What gives?
After melting on board for around 25 minutes, we then arrived to the grounds beneath Devin Castle or Hrad Devlin.
No A/C - gimme a freakin' break!
It was nearly 100 degrees and the buses have no A/C?! What gives?
After melting on board for around 25 minutes, we then arrived to the grounds beneath Devin Castle or Hrad Devlin.
Devin Castle
It was hot. Boy was it hot!
And there was a bit of a climb to the top.
Which on an ordinary day would be no big deal, but taking into consideration that it was hot, very hot made this walk quite unappealing.
And so Elisa and I walked uphill to the ticket booth, and as we were doing so, Elisa was contemplating staying behind. So that is what she did.
And I continued on up the hill and onto the grounds of Devlin Castle, which at the time was holding some sort of Renaissance Festival.
There were period actors and tons of fun activities throughout the grounds.
It was quite festive, and although I wasn't participating in any of the activities, I know that if Dominic or Cosette were there with me that (aside from the awful heat) they would've had a blast!
And there was a bit of a climb to the top.
Which on an ordinary day would be no big deal, but taking into consideration that it was hot, very hot made this walk quite unappealing.
And so Elisa and I walked uphill to the ticket booth, and as we were doing so, Elisa was contemplating staying behind. So that is what she did.
And I continued on up the hill and onto the grounds of Devlin Castle, which at the time was holding some sort of Renaissance Festival.
There were period actors and tons of fun activities throughout the grounds.
It was quite festive, and although I wasn't participating in any of the activities, I know that if Dominic or Cosette were there with me that (aside from the awful heat) they would've had a blast!
The views were gorgeous in ever direction and I hadn't even got to the Ruins quite yet!
In fact, I had arrived just in the nic-of-time to catch a performance! YAY!
But of course I couldn't understand a word and didn't realize that this was a performance for children! DUH
So I quietly got up and got back to walking uphill to see some ruins!
In fact, I had arrived just in the nic-of-time to catch a performance! YAY!
But of course I couldn't understand a word and didn't realize that this was a performance for children! DUH
So I quietly got up and got back to walking uphill to see some ruins!
It was hot, and I was hot. All I could think about was how miserable Elisa would've been had she came with me.
I arrived at the first set of ruins and viewpoint of the countryside and of the Danube. It was very pretty.
I arrived at the first set of ruins and viewpoint of the countryside and of the Danube. It was very pretty.
Danube River
And so I continued, and had to go downhill before going back up again - I just hate that!
But once I had followed the path it led me to the glorious ruins - I thought that they were just fantastic!
And as hot as I was, it was so worth my efforts to come and see this 864 – 15th century castle ruins!
SEE ELISA'S SIDE for history and information about the Devin Castle.
But once I had followed the path it led me to the glorious ruins - I thought that they were just fantastic!
And as hot as I was, it was so worth my efforts to come and see this 864 – 15th century castle ruins!
SEE ELISA'S SIDE for history and information about the Devin Castle.
I wandered about and thoroughly enjoyed my visit. But alas it was time to head down, find Elisa, and cool off!
On my way down, I had to make way for the parade that was coming through.
Wow 3 parardes in 2 days - score!
On my way down, I had to make way for the parade that was coming through.
Wow 3 parardes in 2 days - score!
Next was finding Elisa, who was relaxing and texting (no surprise) in the lobby of a nearby hotel. I plopped down across from her and had a tall glass of ice water.
We then needed to catch the next bus back to Bratislava.
Once back in Bratislava, we stopped in the "square" for Elisa to have some lunch, and I sipped away enjoying my home-made lemonade.
We then needed to catch the next bus back to Bratislava.
Once back in Bratislava, we stopped in the "square" for Elisa to have some lunch, and I sipped away enjoying my home-made lemonade.
That was about it!
We were in dire need of some good strong A/C, and so back to our hotel we went.
Elisa is now napping, and we will eventually head back out to stroll and to find some dinner.
I do hope that you are enjoying your weekend and staying cool!
After a half day here in Bratislava again tomorrow, we'll be heading to Vienna for 4 of our last 5 days here on this Travelin' Cousins European Rail Trip.
So, I'll catch ya next from Vienna!
Toodles,
-T
We were in dire need of some good strong A/C, and so back to our hotel we went.
Elisa is now napping, and we will eventually head back out to stroll and to find some dinner.
I do hope that you are enjoying your weekend and staying cool!
After a half day here in Bratislava again tomorrow, we'll be heading to Vienna for 4 of our last 5 days here on this Travelin' Cousins European Rail Trip.
So, I'll catch ya next from Vienna!
Toodles,
-T
Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: BRATISLAVA
Hot, Hot, Hot in BRATislava
Dobrý deň! (Good Day in Slovak)
Waking up in Bratislava was a joy this morning. After the day we had yesterday, a comfy bed and air conditioning, what else could a girl want!!
Waking up in Bratislava was a joy this morning. After the day we had yesterday, a comfy bed and air conditioning, what else could a girl want!!
Of course, with these crazy hot temperatures, we wanted to make sure we were out and about early before the mid-day killer rays hit.
There were two main sites on our agenda today:
Bratislava Castle
and
Devin Castle
At this point, how about a little history...
Bratislava has been a city of many names. There was the German name (Pressburg), Hungarian (Pozsony), an older Slovakian name (Presporok), and an old Greek name.
What was the old Greek name?
Istropolis. All of the above are older names of Bratislava, but just 'Istropolis' is the old Greek one. Istropolis means 'City on the Danube River'.
There were two main sites on our agenda today:
Bratislava Castle
and
Devin Castle
At this point, how about a little history...
Bratislava has been a city of many names. There was the German name (Pressburg), Hungarian (Pozsony), an older Slovakian name (Presporok), and an old Greek name.
What was the old Greek name?
Istropolis. All of the above are older names of Bratislava, but just 'Istropolis' is the old Greek one. Istropolis means 'City on the Danube River'.
We took a lovely stroll starting at 9am (after a kick-ass breakfast spread at our hotel - included with our stay, just sayin') towards Bratislava Castle.
So, many great photo ops along the way. Here is a little gallery of pictures I nabbed while taking this walk up the steps to the top of the hill to the castle:
So, many great photo ops along the way. Here is a little gallery of pictures I nabbed while taking this walk up the steps to the top of the hill to the castle:
BRATISLAVA CASTLE
Also called BRATISLAVSKÝ HRAD dominates the city of Bratislava. It features in the first written reference to the city, which appears in the Annals of Salzburg of 907, in association with a battle between Bavarians and Hungarians.
Also called BRATISLAVSKÝ HRAD dominates the city of Bratislava. It features in the first written reference to the city, which appears in the Annals of Salzburg of 907, in association with a battle between Bavarians and Hungarians.
It was so hot at the top of the hill. I had my trusty umbrella to shield me from the rays, but it was terrible.
There was a cute little souvenir shop across from the castle courtyard, which Tanya and I went into.
What I was most excited about was the fan in the store, that was oscillating, facing the wall mostly (WTH?), so I stood in front of it for a while.
After I made my purchases, I headed outside because I had to sit down while Tanya was still lamenting over what to buy.
So, I found a cozy little spot on the ground outside the shop. What I was pleasantly surprised about was that when I leaned back against the stones, they were remarkably cool and refreshing!
There was a cute little souvenir shop across from the castle courtyard, which Tanya and I went into.
What I was most excited about was the fan in the store, that was oscillating, facing the wall mostly (WTH?), so I stood in front of it for a while.
After I made my purchases, I headed outside because I had to sit down while Tanya was still lamenting over what to buy.
So, I found a cozy little spot on the ground outside the shop. What I was pleasantly surprised about was that when I leaned back against the stones, they were remarkably cool and refreshing!
DEVIN CASTLE
Went to Devin Castle which is located about 25 minutes from the town square
Tanya and I took a bus (which was not air conditioned much to our chagrin. In any case, I was so sweaty and hot and I literally turn into a different person when I'm subject to extreme temperatures.
Once on the Devin grounds, I walked Tanya to to the ticket booth and that is where I bid my adieu. I may be one of the travelin' cousins but I'm so not the "climbing cousin in Africa-like heat cousin"
Tanya has me beat in the heat department. So instead I will tell you all about Devin Castle...
Went to Devin Castle which is located about 25 minutes from the town square
Tanya and I took a bus (which was not air conditioned much to our chagrin. In any case, I was so sweaty and hot and I literally turn into a different person when I'm subject to extreme temperatures.
Once on the Devin grounds, I walked Tanya to to the ticket booth and that is where I bid my adieu. I may be one of the travelin' cousins but I'm so not the "climbing cousin in Africa-like heat cousin"
Tanya has me beat in the heat department. So instead I will tell you all about Devin Castle...
Devin Castle - full of old ruins and medieval shows and activities
Dating bad to the 5th Century B.C., Devin Castle is the oldest traces of a settlement here in Slovakia - more than 400 years before Celts populated this area!
The history of the Castle during medieval times started out as a boundary fortress, military station and a trade centre.
According to the website, Slovakia.com:
Devin Castle remembers our favorite brotherly duo, patron saints Cyril and Methodius, who started their mission here in 863. They developed the first alphabet to be used for Slavonic manuscripts, translated the Bible and wrote the first Slavic Civil Code, which was used in Great Moravia.
The ancient name of this castle (Dowina) comes from the Slavic word deva (girl). The watchtower, most photographed piece of the castle known now as the Maiden Tower, serves as a basis for legends about beautiful virgins, imprisoned in the tower, eventually jumping for their deaths.
Now, unfortunately, in 1809, the castle was ordered to be destroyed by Napoleon, which really upset both Tanya and I - needless destruction of such an historic site!
The history of the Castle during medieval times started out as a boundary fortress, military station and a trade centre.
According to the website, Slovakia.com:
Devin Castle remembers our favorite brotherly duo, patron saints Cyril and Methodius, who started their mission here in 863. They developed the first alphabet to be used for Slavonic manuscripts, translated the Bible and wrote the first Slavic Civil Code, which was used in Great Moravia.
The ancient name of this castle (Dowina) comes from the Slavic word deva (girl). The watchtower, most photographed piece of the castle known now as the Maiden Tower, serves as a basis for legends about beautiful virgins, imprisoned in the tower, eventually jumping for their deaths.
Now, unfortunately, in 1809, the castle was ordered to be destroyed by Napoleon, which really upset both Tanya and I - needless destruction of such an historic site!
 Wine tasting - tested about 4 different ones. |  first wine I tasted - very tasty |
Nothing like a selfie at the wine tasting booth
There was no real relief from the heat outdoors. I tried to be a trooper and walk around. I even stopped at some of the wine tasting booths and indulged in tasting 4 of them.
They were very tasty, by the way!! Especially the black current ones, for which I tried two!!
They were very tasty, by the way!! Especially the black current ones, for which I tried two!!
Hotel Hradná Brâna - where I relaxed and sipped lemonade while Tanya was trekking the ruins of Devin Castle
 vendor booths near Devin Castle  |  wilted but grateful to be indoors in air conditioning  My tall, icy lemonade |
On the bus leaving Devin Castle - no air conditioning on the bus
This girl knew she had to find some coolness. "This girl is on fyyrrre." So, I ducked into the Hotel Hradná Brâna right there at the base of Devin Castle.
I settled into a comfy chair, ordered a nice, tall lemonade and signed in to the hotel's wifi. I thought, "who's better than me."
Well, certainly not Tanya, schlepping up the hill, sweating like a farm animal.
Of course, she had a travel experience I didn't, but these are the things you sacrifice when you can't stand the heat!
When she returned, the poor dear was all wilted and hot. We got her some ice water and hung out until the next bus showed up to take us back into Bratislava Old Town area.
(PLEASE READ TANYA'S SIDE FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON THE FUN SHE ENCOUNTERED ONCE AT THE TOP OF DEVIN CASTLE!)
Once again, on the bus, it was oppressively hot - ugh!!! We took one selfie for good measure and just allowed ourselves to get stuck to the vinyl seats from sweating profusely, until we arrived at our bus stop. It was probably close to 100 degrees by this point.
I settled into a comfy chair, ordered a nice, tall lemonade and signed in to the hotel's wifi. I thought, "who's better than me."
Well, certainly not Tanya, schlepping up the hill, sweating like a farm animal.
Of course, she had a travel experience I didn't, but these are the things you sacrifice when you can't stand the heat!
When she returned, the poor dear was all wilted and hot. We got her some ice water and hung out until the next bus showed up to take us back into Bratislava Old Town area.
(PLEASE READ TANYA'S SIDE FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON THE FUN SHE ENCOUNTERED ONCE AT THE TOP OF DEVIN CASTLE!)
Once again, on the bus, it was oppressively hot - ugh!!! We took one selfie for good measure and just allowed ourselves to get stuck to the vinyl seats from sweating profusely, until we arrived at our bus stop. It was probably close to 100 degrees by this point.
CarneValle Restaurant in Old Town Square for lunch today
 Quinoa Salad |  Lemon Tiramisu (yummers!) |
LUNCH...
We had to walk through the square and decided to stop at a cute little restaurant for lunch- CarneValle, where I had a fabulous quinoa salad and a most delicious Lemon Tiramisu!!! (of course, there was no a/c so we opted to sit outside, which was no cooler - even in the shade.
Last but not least... the inappropriate picture of the day... As we were walking through the Old Town Square, I spotted a man standing in the center island which has a water feature - and he was shirtless and shaving!!
We had to walk through the square and decided to stop at a cute little restaurant for lunch- CarneValle, where I had a fabulous quinoa salad and a most delicious Lemon Tiramisu!!! (of course, there was no a/c so we opted to sit outside, which was no cooler - even in the shade.
Last but not least... the inappropriate picture of the day... As we were walking through the Old Town Square, I spotted a man standing in the center island which has a water feature - and he was shirtless and shaving!!
Inappropriate picture of the day - a mangy man giving himself a shave in the middle of Town Square - love the back sweater
And so ends another Daily Scoop! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday on this July 4th weekend.
Just to wrap things up - I'm going to put links from the past week's features:
Tanya's Throwback Thursday Prudish in Mexico
Elisa's Foodie Friday Lunch at The Farm in Prague
15 Facts About Prague
15 Fun Facts About Krakow
Top 15 Facts About Budapest
See ya back here tomorrow, when Tanya and I head (by train once again) to Vienna!! Our fifth and final city on our European Rail Trip!
-E
xoxo
Just to wrap things up - I'm going to put links from the past week's features:
Tanya's Throwback Thursday Prudish in Mexico
Elisa's Foodie Friday Lunch at The Farm in Prague
15 Facts About Prague
15 Fun Facts About Krakow
Top 15 Facts About Budapest
See ya back here tomorrow, when Tanya and I head (by train once again) to Vienna!! Our fifth and final city on our European Rail Trip!
-E
xoxo
