Čapáš is the name of a tavern in Láb (approx. 50 kms from Bratislava) but also a name for the local well-known goulash cooking competition. Goulash is a stew of beef and/or veal, made in kettle. There were 20 competing teams who sought to win the first place. The jury had to taste a specimen of each of the goulashes before reaching a verdict. Our team landed second which I consider to be a good ranking. Also I forgot to take my camera with me so this was the very first time I used a mobile phone camera. My bad!

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A water tower is a large elevated water storage container constructed for the purpose of holding a water supply at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system. Pressurization occurs through the elevation of water; for every 10.20 centimetres of elevation, it produces 1 kilopascal of pressure. 30 m of elevation produces roughly 300 kPa (43.511 psi), which is enough pressure to operate and provide for most domestic water pressure and distribution system requirements.

As they are well above the ground they serve as excellent hotspots for wireless internet connectivity. Sometimes after rough storms the wifi equipment needs to be replaced, mostly due to static discharge damage. In this case there was a storm and lightning stroke the tower. See pic. 9 - the strike caused many of the nails to dislodge and stand up.

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Battle of the Dukla Pass, also known as the Dukla / Carpatho-Dukla Offensive was the scene of bitterly contested battle for the Dukla Pass (borderland between Poland and Slovakia) on the Eastern Front of World War II between Nazi Germany and Soviet Union in September-October 1944. German resistance was much harder than expected. The battle which began on September 8th would not see the Soviet forces on the other side of the pass until 6th October, and German forces would stop their heavy resistance in the region only around October 10th. Five days to Presov turned into fifty days to Svidnik alone with over 200,000 casualties on both sides. One of the biggest battles in the pass took place on and around Hill 534 in the north west from the town of Dukla; the battle to capture this hill lasted from 10th September to 20th September 1944 and during that period the control of the hill changed more than 20 times.

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Alea acta est! That's it. No more regrets. No more making up one's mind again. On 8th December 2007 Valderama got married. He's been sentenced to life in matrimony. Let the married life be not too harsh on them. What I like about their married life is the food and drinks we had at the party :) Keeping my fingers crossed for you two!

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Nestled in a cluster of lush mountains is a mysterious ancient forest known as the "Devil's Garden," where the olm, lynx, black stork, and Ural owl live together in an enchanted world of thunderous waterfalls, cascading lakes, and subterranean caverns. Plitvice Lakes National Park in the heart of Croatia consists of 16 beautiful blue-green lakes, linked by a series of waterfalls and cascades to form a chain through a wooded valley. Over thousands of years, the waters that flow through this area have passed over limestone and chalk, creating deposits which form natural barriers between the lakes.

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Od Vardara pa do Triglava
od Đerdapa pa do Jadrana
Kao niska sjajnog Đerdana
Svijetlim suncem obasjana
ponosito sred Balkana
Jugoslavijo, Jugoslavijo...

Veli Lošinj is a place at the narrow bay on the southeast side of the island of Lošinj belonging to the Cres-Lošinj Archipelago. This town of famous seamen is situated under the mount of Sveti Ivan. It was known by its high houses and luxurious villas of rich sea captains and mighty shipowners embellished by flowery gardens. Its dense vegetation consists of more than 80 various kinds of plants so that the town resembles a big harmonious pleasure garden. Years ago I used to go there every summer for a month's stay at Zlatokrila. Those were the days... After years I decided to pay the place a visit again. No regrets, this was a great stay. Warm sea, open-hearted people and great snorkeling.

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Car tuning party at Piestany airport. Took place on 8th and 9th June 2007. I expected something more to be honest (I always am anyway of course).

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The annual get-together of Slovak Polar Bears (people who find whatever they find in swimming in subzero temperatures) in Lozorno. We had no snow this winter at all and it was agreeable 10 degrees centigrade today. Polar Bears didn't strain themselves much today.

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I, for one, welcome our ant overlords!

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Speaks for itself. Took place at Devin castle on 17th September 2006. It was fun!

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Friends of History of Railway Transport Club held this nice session over Saturday and Sunday at one of Bratislava's railway stations. Never mind Thomas, the steam engines are really huge! I read many times before that one of the nuisances of such steam travel was the ambers and the sooth getting in your eyes when leaning out of the window. Now I know it's really that way! Experience is such a good thing.

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Train station in Vajnory outskirt, Bratislava.

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