Big Bertha 2016 tour: Slovakia

Our intention on entering Slovakia was to traverse the country west to east in a trip taking between 7 and 10 days. Unfortunately for us (maybe fortunately for Slovakians) we were there for only 48 hours. Facilities for motorhomers were scarce. In two days we saw only one other motorhome and that was a Slovakian one. We did come across one campsite. It appeared to have been built about the time the Russian tanks rolled in (the first time in 1948) and had not had any maintenance since. Strangely the toilet amenities were locked, and you had to ask for a key desired to utilise the loo. Asking would be a pain if we could speak Slovakian, we couldn't.

It is a shame because Slovakia has a lot to offer. The people are friendly, the food is cheap and of good quality, and Slovakia contains extensive areas of attractive forest set in rolling hills.

Of all the countries we have been in Slovakia appeared to be the poorest. Housing was simple and for the most part very poorly maintained. Their roads ranged from average to poor, some bearing a likeness to jigsaw puzzles where large hunks were missing in a random pattern, requiring concentration so as not to bottom out. Grass berms and roundabouts were invariably high with grass and weeds (a bit like Tama Tce). This apparent lack of care was at odds with the way Slovakians dress, stylish clothing was the norm (Tony felt out of place).

For a country with a population not much bigger than New Zealand we saw more nuclear power stations in two days than we have seen in any other country. We were intrigued by this, thinking they must be a net exporter of power. On researching on the web we discovered several of their nuclear plants, dating back to Russian occupation, did not meet EU safety standards and had been closed down.