...and Aggtelek, at last

The trip was planned at least eight years ago, so it could be no wonder that we had absolutely no idea where to go once arriving into Aggtelek, the town. 

Luckily there were the signs we had counted on, which guided us into the cave region, where we quickly found the ticket cassa and a playground to relax on while waiting for the tour

eagerly awaiting our chance to descend into the mysterious small opening in the side of the rock.

Once inside, we experienced the 20 degree (F) drop in temperature and spectacular inner workings of Nature

with gladness for the natural electric lighting

and wonder over the exposed river

and hopefulness for the boat ride, which didn't happen

and marveling over the many optional paths which we did not pursue, this one being over 7 kilometers long and reaching underground, into Slovakia

until we came to the most curious spectacle of all, the Concert Hall - in which the yellow-clad guide in the bottom left orchestrated a light show, switching on and off spotlights on different parts of the 'stage', accompanied by ear-battering  national classics, the likes which would shatter wine glasses, had we the good sense to bring any.

And viewing the naturally alien figures for another several tens of minutes along our 1 kilometer trek

we slowly bid goodbye to the underground world, and emerged.