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Cyclamen paradise Traditional Cache

Hidden : 9/25/2017
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:



Cyclamen paradise


What has Wikipedia to say about Cyclamen: Cyclamen hederifolium (ivy-leaved cyclamen or sowbread) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cyclamen, of the family Primulaceae. It is the most widespread cyclamen species, the most widely cultivated after the florist's cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum).



It is native to woodland, shrubland, and rocky areas in the Mediterranean region from southern France to western Turkey and on Mediterranean islands, and naturalized farther north in Europe and in the Pacific Northwest.


Cyclamen



Cyclamen hederifolium is a tuberous perennial that blooms and sprouts leaves in autumn, grows through the winter, and goes dormant before summer, when the seed pods ripen and open.


And Cyclamen



Flowers of Cyclamen are a jewel which emerges during autumn on shady places on Vodno mountain. An especially abundant occurrence of this forest beauty is on the eastern slopes of the Canyon Matka, where this cache will lead you. The best time to see cyclamen in blossom is in the beginning of October.


And even more Cyclamen



How to get there: From the Millenium Cross (the top of Vodno): go west toward Matka, on MARKED trail. There are few waypoints where you need to be careful not to miss the path:



R – leave the “main road” and follow the forest path west



R1 – leave the “main path” (which continue south-west) and turn right (west) between the pine trees (there should be a mark pointing Matka, however local shepherds often destroy it) and follow the path.



R2 - leave the “main path” (which continue south toward the village Sveta Petka) and turn right (west) and follow the path.



R3 – here starts the descending toward Matka canyon.



R4 – here you can take the path east and after 15-20 minutes you will reach the St. Nikola Shishevski monastery,



OR



Continue down the slope toward the canyon. Hard and steep path!



How long it takes: From the Canyon Matka (Cayak bridge) to the cache – about 1-1.5 hours. From the Millenium Cross to the cache – about 3-3.5 hours, and 1-1.5 hour from the cache to the Canyon Matka (Cayak bridge).



Keep in mind: : You need good hiking shoes and walking sticks! The trail is very steep and slippery, especially the last part (1 hour) when descending toward the canyon!



If you go from the Millenium Cross toward Canyon Matka, you need to know that in the afternoons (especially in autumn and winter, when the day is short) you will almost NEVER see bus coming, even though according to the time table (JSP Skopje) there should be. Usually “wild” taxi drivers wait on the bus stop (like sharks smelling a pray) and offer to drive you.



The asked me 500 denars to get me to the Bus (Railway) station. There is no other public transportation from there! Ghhhrrrrrrr !!!!!!!!!



The cache is a small white plastic container.


Sources: Internet. Photos: original (by Galejnik)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nobhg 3 z nobir gur genvy, va n gerr fghzc.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)