travel

I’ve seen the Northern Lights only a couple of times in my life before. Although they were slow and not so bright then the experience was unreal.

This time we had luck on our holiday week in Lapland and we did se pretty strong auroras! I’ve never got to photograph them before and I almost couldn’t figure which direction to point my camera because the lights were dancing above so fast. They were colourful and bright and I am at a loss for words to describe how amazing it was to see them.

I am so thankful and happy we got to see such strong Northern Lights but also to get decent pictures of them. And these are my first ones ever! Here they are, enjoy!

In Slovakia I found my love for mountains and I wish to return to these landscapes and places again many times in my future!

A couple of years ago I went to Slovakia as an exchange student and a little did I know then how good friends I’d make there and that I would return to this country over again. And with these friends I would explore the gorgeous mountains and nature of Slovakia. And there is still so much left to see!

Slovak people do like their nature and they have beautiful surrounings for hiking and climbing and just enjoying the nature. Like us Finns Slovaks like to go out and spend their time outdoors. In national parks you can see families having a weekend off in the mountains, young people, old people and children. I like this similiarity that I find connecting Finnish people and Slovaks.

In Slovakia I have seen three national parks so far: The famous High Tatra Mountains, Slovak Paradise and Small Fatra Mountains. My favourite is for sure Fatra Mountains though everywhere it is beautiful!

What connects nature activities everywhere in Slovakia is climbing one way or another. Nature is full of hills and mountains which makes the views very beautiful but it also means climbing the hillside and you will propably need to climb some ladders as well over waterfalls and gorges. There is hiking routes without climbing with ladders or ropes but uphill paths anyway. So for people with fear of hights ~~like me~~ there can be some difficult hiking trails! Many slovak people do proper mountain and rock climbing as well what I’ve seen!

(Above) The High Tatra mountains are on border of Slovakia and Poland and they are sometimes called to be the slovak alps. The highest point is somewhere 2,600 meters above sea level. Nature there is like in the mountains when you go high enough; lots of rocks and crazy mountain views. You can also spot beautiful mountain lakes and super cute goat-antilope that lives only in Tatra Mountains, Tatra Chamois!

(Above) The Small Fatra Mountains are located on the north-western side of Slovakia and this national park is my favourite! There is great proper mountains and you will need to make some excercise to reach the top but they are small enough that there is still a lot of trees and green areas. The view from the up is incredible during the sunset! We also spend the night in the mountains in a kind of wilderness hut like what we have in Finland!

There is possibilities to choose from normal hiking paths to trails with a little bit of rock climbing!

(Above) Slovak Paradise is a national park next to the Low Tatra Mountains. The park is full of forests, waterfalls and beautiful hiking trails which leads you climbing some ladders over waterfalls and gorges. For me these ladders are a little too high but the views are amazing and it is no wonder why it is called a paradise! Here you will make an adventure for sure!