Bratislava Cats

 

My last trip before this 'new era' was a short bus adventure through central Europe, and in each city I visited I went to a Cat Cafe - Vienna, Bratislava, Warsaw, Krakow and Prague. The last time I visited Vienna and Prague was 12 years prior to, and the remaining three were my 1st time, yay :) The Mackafe in Bratislava was the real deal, and there is merchandise sold to support it, which surprisingly isn't that common for a cat cafe...I think its a great way to additionally support such places. I mean, like this cute postcard :)

I post this in relation to my day...as I got quite a scare today. I have two cats, sisters Pixie & Suri, who were found in a dumpster by my friend, together with other three siblings. They were teeny weeny things not yet able to open their eyes...but my friend is fierce and she helped them all grow strong and independent. That was almost 12 years ago...Suri is a placid cat but Pixie is a bit naughty...I didn't see her all day, which was very unusual for her, and as the night was falling and she wasn't showing up to get fed I got really worried, walked around the block calling her. As I came back home there she was, and my mum told me she was in a box in the storage room and she couldn't get out. But she didn't make a sound the whole day as we were calling her. Cats are weird! lol I was just so relieved, and she was extra cuddly. Right after she had some food of course! Ah, all's well that ends well. A huge stone fell off my heart, as we would say. And here is a kittie from Mackafe:

UNESCO - Historic Town Of Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia

Over the centuries, the town of Banská Štiavnica was visited by many outstanding engineers and scientists who contributed to its fame. The old medieval mining centre grew into a town with Renaissance palaces, 16th-century churches, elegant squares and castles. The urban centre blends into the surrounding landscape, which contains vital relics of the mining and metallurgical activities of the past.

Many thanks to Vladka for this wonderfully huge card, who also wrote that the Slovaks say The Adriatic Sea is their sea - because in Slovakia more than half of people going on a holiday choose to come and visit Croatia. You are welcome :))

Now this is the 2nd idea for a short trip! Though a week would probably not be enough to explore the yet uncovered beauties of Slovakia, seeing Bratislava and the High Tatras would probably do enough for recovering my soul :) There isn't a direct transport link I believe, which makes it a bit of a bother, but Vienna is really close. Now lets do some research :)

UNESCO - Bardejov Town Conservation Reserve, Slovakia

A perfect Unesco card from a wonderful postcrosser - thank you Mirka, receiving mail from you is a delight!

Bardejov is a small but exceptionally complete and well-preserved example of a fortified medieval town, which typifies the urbanisation in this region. Among other remarkable features, it also contains a small Jewish quarter around a fine 18th-century synagogue.

The town’s surviving urban plan, with a regular division of streets around a spacious market square, is an indication of European civilization from the 13th to 14th centuries.

 

Tatra Chamois, Slovakia

The chamois is a goat-antelope species native to mountains in Europe, and has also been introduced to the South Island of New Zealand. Some subspecies of chamois are strictly protected in the EU under the European Habitats Directive - one of them being the Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica), living in the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia and Poland and, unknown to many, the Low Tatras in Slovakia, where it was artificially introduced because of concerns of survivability in its native range. 

Another precious animal threatened by mankind, but much is being done to sustain it. Thanks Lubo :)

UNESCO - Vlkolínec, Slovakia

A very nice surprise from dear Tina who went on a trip to Slovakia recently, hvala mucho ;)

Vlkolínec is a picturesque village in Slovakia, one of ten Slovak villages that have been given the status of a folk architecture reservations. This status was granted because the village is an untouched and complex example of folk countryside architecture of the region of the Northern Carpathians.

 

Strážov Mountains, Slovakia

Strážov Mountains are one of the largest mountain ranges in the Fatra-Tatra Area of Slovakia in the country's north. The postcard shows the Kostolecká tiesňava (Kostolcka narrow). Loving the panoramic view...and the 2012 Europa stamp, thank you Lubeno :))

 

Nitra Castle, Slovakia

Nitra Castle or Nitriansky Hrad was built in the 11th century on the place of an earlier fort and dominates the city skyline. Its core is the St. Emmeram's Cathedral, whose bell tower can be seen on this postcard. This is easily my favourite postcard received from Slovakia, and with the lovely Europa forest stamp. Thank you Radim :)

UNESCO - Spišský Hrad, Slovakia

As far as Europe is concerned, Slovakian postcards are a bit harder to get than most. And then especially Unesco. But there are good fairies of postcrossing who surprise you out of the blue...thanks so much Michaela for my first Slovakian Unesco!! :))

Spiš Castle is one of the largest castle sites in Europe, situated in eastern Slovakia above the town of Spišské Podhradie. It was built in the 12th century and was a centre of the Szepes County of the Kingdom of Hungary. In 1780 the castle burned down, and has been in ruins ever since; it was partly reconstructed in the second half of the 20th century.

Bratislava, Slovakia

For the vacation RR, a beautiful view of the capital Bratislava - thank you Anita :) I don't have many cards from Slovakia...and am still hoping for some special stamps from there..!