4th DAY

4th Day:23.8.2009

I woke up in raining morning again. Slovely rain was getting on my nervs, because I went on the bicycle trip and not on car/train trip (in this case I would leave my bicycle at home). Since I am not so self distructing, I dont like to cycle in the rain.
Pension Kovač where I was staying is nice and owner is also friendly. I payed only 16,00 eur for single room. When I gaved owners son (Tomas) my passport last night, he noticed, that I am from Slovenia. Since he was the collector of EUR coins and missed few from Slovenia, he asked me if I could maybe get coins and sent them to him. I agreed, but in the same time I also decided, that I will try to trade the favour for car transport in the morning to Spišske Nova Ves in case of rain.I had luck, because Tomas had a pick up car and also was planning a ride to same location later that day. He also helped me with getting informations regarding trains from web. My plan was to go with train from Spišske Nova Ves to Poprad and later to Štrbske Pleso (lake up the mountains).
I still had time, so I visited small lake near pension. When I camed back, Tomas was ready and we drove 16 km to Speišska Nova Ves. Because I was already here 1 day ago it was notihing new to me, so I waited on railway station for train. Was cought by conductor while smoking cigarette on the toilett on the way from Spiška Nova Ves to Poprad. Had luck because I was fast enouhg to thrown cigarette out before he braked in. After arguing he let me stayed on the train but also told me that this is the last warrning. In arguing I gaved him 2 eur and later noticed that this was Slovakian sample Thomas gaved me to sent him same one (but Slovenian). Anyway, later in Sliovenia I have found the coins he wanted in and sent them to him as a thanking for ride.
In Poprad I had to change train for electrical one. I strongly recomend you to try this out if you are travveling in this area. The ride is something special. Train goes from Tatranska Lomnica to Štrbske Pleso (23km) on height 1300-1400m. It climbs from Poprad 400 meters higher at speed 15 km/h. You can also start on other end in Štrba where I was on previous day.
After I arrived in Štrbske Pleso I found nice and cheap (20,00 eur) Pension Furotka in centre. Probably the best choice of accomodation for normal price up there. I also checked 2 other hotels near the lake and price was 170 eur (270eur) per single room. Litle to much for my pocket Otherwise it was first developed turistic town (village) since I was in Slovakia after Košice and Bratislava. They have even 2 fast foods,supermarket,bicycle/ski shop, servis, spa, nice restaurants with local food... I was eating in restaurant across the hotel. Dont remember the name, but you can not miss it. It is placed on 1st floor above the supermarket. I ordered lamb and it was delicious. After dinner it was getting dark and I took a ride on bike arround the lake before sleeping.