Romania: Dracula area 7 cities 5 days country 75!
Sighetu Marmatiei
So switch airplane mode on and off and Romanian network, so all free.... now look up atm and done.... 5 min walk..... I get there and twice I try with no avail. It does it all except give me money.... so I’m going to have to contact my bank, another is round the corner.... bus leaves in 14 mins...... I need the money...... I jog down the street and into the centre, it’s a pretty centre and just nicer more used than Ukraine ones I saw and today I’ve seen a fair few!!...... no problem this time, all good so now it’s bus...... 1801..... I’ve 7 minutes, then I recall the bus station and train are beside each w but not same location...... back to that jog....... and I find it, not far away...... but no one on the ticket counter, I ask someone in my best italianish..... he looks blankly back, try the next portacabin...... it’s full of all the drivers, about 12 all look as I poke my head in! Well they couldn’t try hard enough to help!! Turns out my info was wrong and he says the next bus to Baia Mare is 1845..... time for the final need..... the loo..... and there’s a bar next door, beer and toilet in 1! I love this place. I feel I’ve been much more positive about coming here and I think I feel far more relaxed. Not sure if it’s because I can at least read most things, or if it’s the psychological thought that it’s not Russia or what..... but I’m looking forward to my next couple of chaotic days!!!
The 0.50p beer goes down a treat, I check and it’s 3km from bus station to hostel tonight, can’t recall why I thought this was a good one!! There would be a reason. Ah well I’m down for a 5:30 departure by bus tomorrow but need to check this out!! Bus is here as promised.... and there’s a few of us waiting...... can’t get ticket in advance as still closed so ..... all good. Get on the bus, almost got the one going the wrong way! As we drive through town, things are much more visible, I can see the clothes store and the camera store etc. It just feels more ‘free’ and open but maybe my psychological concept of Russia and it’s oppression has influenced it!! Or the beer helped! Anyway it’s all an adventure.
I’ve almost switched off totally, this travel is worse than work this time. But I’ve sent Rachael a message anyway!!! Poor girl, I never leave her alone!!!
The 0.50p beer goes down a treat, I check and it’s 3km from bus station to hostel tonight, can’t recall why I thought this was a good one!! There would be a reason. Ah well I’m down for a 5:30 departure by bus tomorrow but need to check this out!! Bus is here as promised.... and there’s a few of us waiting...... can’t get ticket in advance as still closed so ..... all good. Get on the bus, almost got the one going the wrong way! As we drive through town, things are much more visible, I can see the clothes store and the camera store etc. It just feels more ‘free’ and open but maybe my psychological concept of Russia and it’s oppression has influenced it!! Or the beer helped! Anyway it’s all an adventure.
I’ve almost switched off totally, this travel is worse than work this time. But I’ve sent Rachael a message anyway!!! Poor girl, I never leave her alone!!!
We drive on and it’s stunning scenery, rolling hills and valleys, lots of pasture by looks of it, small holdings with plots of land, hay stacked to dry and a family moving a herd of cows, of the memories!!
It’s just stunning countryside with the sun casting shadows and landscape thoroughly enjoying them. Terraced areas, steep hills, green for miles!! As we climb up again (smoothly and constantly above 40kmph!) I am trying to think where I can compare this to. It’s just different on ours own way from most other places I’ve been, it should be alpine, but it’s luscious is and looks more healthy / denser than most I’ve seen. Ah back in ski areas!!
Returnability: 4/10. Seems nice but no reason really to travel up here!
It’s just stunning countryside with the sun casting shadows and landscape thoroughly enjoying them. Terraced areas, steep hills, green for miles!! As we climb up again (smoothly and constantly above 40kmph!) I am trying to think where I can compare this to. It’s just different on ours own way from most other places I’ve been, it should be alpine, but it’s luscious is and looks more healthy / denser than most I’ve seen. Ah back in ski areas!!
Returnability: 4/10. Seems nice but no reason really to travel up here!
Baia Mare
Eventually it feels like, we arrive and I’m watching to see where is closest to get off as my plan of walking from the bus station (about 2 miles away) seems silly in fading light......ah east. Someone else gets off a centre so myself and a couple of others follow!!
Well it’s lovely wee place, historic and beautifully maintained and natural. It’s not big as with all these cities but the sun going down and the calmness add to the feel. The bridge heads over to a large square with half a dozen terraced restaurants snuggled into its edges, and a side street leads to an old church tower and the cathedral. I enjoy the atmosphere and decide I should head to my hostel which is not far away...... but typically the even numbers and odd numbers on the road have no common location so it takes me a couple of attempts to find it going up and down the street! It’s in a low level building front with a lovely courtyard and a sweet guy that smokes a lot in place of comprehension!! The building itself is huge and spacious. I’m in a dorm room with bunks but I’m first one in so get to take a bottom one. The bed is lovely luxury and suddenly my plan of food is overtaken by plan of planning and sleeping. I have WiFi and get a couple of messages from mates, I have to turn down Saturday dinner as not back in time but shall pop to see Pete and Caroline maybe Sunday.
So I need to check tomorrow’s plans. Can I get from Sibiu to sighisoara?? Eventually as I’m struggling to find my previous info, I find the train at 1700 which I think runs on a Wednesday!!! It’s a little confusing to figure out the days of service as Wednesday is in red..... hmmm go for it!! Take the chance. It’s still the 5:30 bus out and so at 2200 I’m still on my own I hit the hay! Ala is set for 4:30 as it’s a 6.5km walk to bus station. I’m sure it’ll pass the centre but may as well walk there as no idea of route and my guys smiles won’t help!!
Returnability: 7/10 think lovely escape place but not much to do!
Well it’s lovely wee place, historic and beautifully maintained and natural. It’s not big as with all these cities but the sun going down and the calmness add to the feel. The bridge heads over to a large square with half a dozen terraced restaurants snuggled into its edges, and a side street leads to an old church tower and the cathedral. I enjoy the atmosphere and decide I should head to my hostel which is not far away...... but typically the even numbers and odd numbers on the road have no common location so it takes me a couple of attempts to find it going up and down the street! It’s in a low level building front with a lovely courtyard and a sweet guy that smokes a lot in place of comprehension!! The building itself is huge and spacious. I’m in a dorm room with bunks but I’m first one in so get to take a bottom one. The bed is lovely luxury and suddenly my plan of food is overtaken by plan of planning and sleeping. I have WiFi and get a couple of messages from mates, I have to turn down Saturday dinner as not back in time but shall pop to see Pete and Caroline maybe Sunday.
So I need to check tomorrow’s plans. Can I get from Sibiu to sighisoara?? Eventually as I’m struggling to find my previous info, I find the train at 1700 which I think runs on a Wednesday!!! It’s a little confusing to figure out the days of service as Wednesday is in red..... hmmm go for it!! Take the chance. It’s still the 5:30 bus out and so at 2200 I’m still on my own I hit the hay! Ala is set for 4:30 as it’s a 6.5km walk to bus station. I’m sure it’ll pass the centre but may as well walk there as no idea of route and my guys smiles won’t help!!
Returnability: 7/10 think lovely escape place but not much to do!
Day 5: 3 Romania cities / towns
No one joins me in the dorm so I get a lovely nights sleep and waken at 3:55. With Alan set in 30minutes I may as well leave!! Shower, dressed and out..... except I’m locked in by the huge gates into the courtyard. No option, I need to phone the reception number and try that. The number is almost identical to a uk number: starts in 078 and contains the correct amount of numbers.....pretty sure I need the country code or I’ll be phoning someone in the uk randomly at 0210!! All good my smoking guy comes and smiles with the just out of bed look and let’s me out. I had tried to tell him last night I was leaving early!!
I’m off and I get to wander through the new town centre, a large clean and spacious square and a wide open high street, almost city like but just not so sprawling!! The streets off are nothing stunning but it’s openness and al fresco dining options give it a relaxed feeling. I like this spot!
I pick up a coffee at a small shop and then a sandwich in the light of no other options. It’s warm out and I’ve a vest top and a cardigan on but the cardi will have to go!! Not far along I find a Mac Donald’s 24h, a bakery and a couple of kebab shops still going!!
It’s 5:10 and I’m almost there and have beaten the sun!! I had it coming to join me at 0505...... it’s a bit boring now heading through industrial area so I play beat google map, a very exciting game... it tells you how long the walk will take and you try to beat it. 11mins and it’s 0511....... I’m following / catching up on a guy in a sour and laptop bag. Maybe he’s going same way. I can smell cows!!! Not awake yet though!!
My planning last night had also included the establishment and marking of all transport hubs for the cities I’ll visit. Like poland they’re all in easy walking distance of historical areas so should be doable, so long as I’ve chosen the correct bus station, companies seem to have their own locations to start from, however I’m hoping I can figure out jumping off nearer centres so as to optimise waking and seeing time.
Here: following the guy in before I was going to overtake, 0516!! It’s busy, about 20 people beaten me, mostly older women inside and husbands outside, not smoking!! Wow it’s a big bus..... this is proper transport!!! Maybe can’t jump off so easily!!
It’s £6.5 to get there, transport is much more expensive here but the I am going 143km and 3 hours so I can make up for the missed sleep!! Ironically I can get flights from UK to most of these places for almost the same price as the buses!! Suss out the returnability!!
The mist morning has hit and the dense cloud is hanging above us, obscuring all views. Overall it slowly disperses and the sun decides to come join me! The driver has an announcement, I can make it out for the first time in ages: there’s 3 stops, first it the airport, second the station and third the bus station I think. Let’s see! Airport is not far from Townsend looks nice and small, always good for minimal time spent there. At 0830 we arrive at the bus station. My bus out is from a different one at 10am according to my new friend website (hoping it’s reliable! https://www.autogari.ro/clujnapoca/autogara_beta_cluj/Autogara9638?lang=en)
Well so far reliable but you need to find your bus company but when you get there as they are all individual little spots with different timetables in 2 separate yards! Ok 10am is correct. 1.5 hours and 1.5km into the old town and out again so best get a shift on as the parents would say!!
Cluj-Napoca let’s see what you have to offer!
I’m off and I get to wander through the new town centre, a large clean and spacious square and a wide open high street, almost city like but just not so sprawling!! The streets off are nothing stunning but it’s openness and al fresco dining options give it a relaxed feeling. I like this spot!
I pick up a coffee at a small shop and then a sandwich in the light of no other options. It’s warm out and I’ve a vest top and a cardigan on but the cardi will have to go!! Not far along I find a Mac Donald’s 24h, a bakery and a couple of kebab shops still going!!
It’s 5:10 and I’m almost there and have beaten the sun!! I had it coming to join me at 0505...... it’s a bit boring now heading through industrial area so I play beat google map, a very exciting game... it tells you how long the walk will take and you try to beat it. 11mins and it’s 0511....... I’m following / catching up on a guy in a sour and laptop bag. Maybe he’s going same way. I can smell cows!!! Not awake yet though!!
My planning last night had also included the establishment and marking of all transport hubs for the cities I’ll visit. Like poland they’re all in easy walking distance of historical areas so should be doable, so long as I’ve chosen the correct bus station, companies seem to have their own locations to start from, however I’m hoping I can figure out jumping off nearer centres so as to optimise waking and seeing time.
Here: following the guy in before I was going to overtake, 0516!! It’s busy, about 20 people beaten me, mostly older women inside and husbands outside, not smoking!! Wow it’s a big bus..... this is proper transport!!! Maybe can’t jump off so easily!!
It’s £6.5 to get there, transport is much more expensive here but the I am going 143km and 3 hours so I can make up for the missed sleep!! Ironically I can get flights from UK to most of these places for almost the same price as the buses!! Suss out the returnability!!
The mist morning has hit and the dense cloud is hanging above us, obscuring all views. Overall it slowly disperses and the sun decides to come join me! The driver has an announcement, I can make it out for the first time in ages: there’s 3 stops, first it the airport, second the station and third the bus station I think. Let’s see! Airport is not far from Townsend looks nice and small, always good for minimal time spent there. At 0830 we arrive at the bus station. My bus out is from a different one at 10am according to my new friend website (hoping it’s reliable! https://www.autogari.ro/clujnapoca/autogara_beta_cluj/Autogara9638?lang=en)
Well so far reliable but you need to find your bus company but when you get there as they are all individual little spots with different timetables in 2 separate yards! Ok 10am is correct. 1.5 hours and 1.5km into the old town and out again so best get a shift on as the parents would say!!
Cluj-Napoca let’s see what you have to offer!
Cluj-Napoca
Well the walk is like walking down any city, and as I come into the ‘historic centre’ it’s much the same. In many ways it reminds me of Edinburgh, some lovely historic features preserved and integrated into the modern lifestyle. The cathedral square at one end of the centre is nice and another being built at the other end near the old fortification preserved nicely (what’s left!). Walking along to the opposite side of the historic centre is another church and a large square with a few monuments and a cafe. There’s a sign of pubs and clubs but not too obvious.
It’s 0912, time to do my weekly phone call home!! Mum is in great form, her picture of a snow bunting has been published in the Scotsman, she’s been up since I have making gingerbread (oh I can smell the house from here, yummy)!! I’m walking back as we chat, as bud leaves in 20 minutes. Cluj has been nice but not the amazing I know to expect in some of the cities but glad I’ve done a quick visit and know that’s it’s maybe not the place I’ll book my flight to!!
The bus does a nice tour of one end of the city to get out!!
Returnability: 1/10, never say never!!
It’s 0912, time to do my weekly phone call home!! Mum is in great form, her picture of a snow bunting has been published in the Scotsman, she’s been up since I have making gingerbread (oh I can smell the house from here, yummy)!! I’m walking back as we chat, as bud leaves in 20 minutes. Cluj has been nice but not the amazing I know to expect in some of the cities but glad I’ve done a quick visit and know that’s it’s maybe not the place I’ll book my flight to!!
The bus does a nice tour of one end of the city to get out!!
Returnability: 1/10, never say never!!
Sibiu -1997 European city of culture
Onto Sibiu...... it’s getting warm and sunny. There’s a sign saying 31 so going to be getting warm later. We stop for a longer break (10 mins) at alba Lulia, I’m munching the last of my peanuts and a bag of oatcakes. Breakfast was a while ago but I’ll get lunch when in, should be 1h20m.
Arrival 10mins early and Mo complaints here. It’s a 10 minute walk to the centre and I’m loving stretching the legs! This is my sort of place and I’m very glad I have 3 hours here . It’s sunny, their taxis are proper yellow, and there’s a sitting outside Long street before I even start exploring....... lots of restaurants with white table cloths, so I chose the one without and with the menu on show as I fancy basically a salad and a local wine (I’ve passed lots of vineyards in the last couple of hours!). Its 2pm and I’m ready for lunch and my loo stop.
The wine is nice and cold which works well!! A girl comes to ask me something but when I say sorry English she’s fast away!! The salad is ok. The lettuce has seen better days but it does the job and some much needed veg!! As soon as I’m finished my waitress is up to take my plate and asks cash or card! Bill promptly appears and I’ve 1/2 glass of wine to go!!! I like that they don’t charge service / tax on top something I found hard to calculate in Canada, especially when running the cash out!! Time for ice cream!! I get a ‘Danube chocolad’ Which looks like chocolate dark variety but comes out totally multicoloured with mint and caramel bits.... strange! A one time thing
Arrival 10mins early and Mo complaints here. It’s a 10 minute walk to the centre and I’m loving stretching the legs! This is my sort of place and I’m very glad I have 3 hours here . It’s sunny, their taxis are proper yellow, and there’s a sitting outside Long street before I even start exploring....... lots of restaurants with white table cloths, so I chose the one without and with the menu on show as I fancy basically a salad and a local wine (I’ve passed lots of vineyards in the last couple of hours!). Its 2pm and I’m ready for lunch and my loo stop.
The wine is nice and cold which works well!! A girl comes to ask me something but when I say sorry English she’s fast away!! The salad is ok. The lettuce has seen better days but it does the job and some much needed veg!! As soon as I’m finished my waitress is up to take my plate and asks cash or card! Bill promptly appears and I’ve 1/2 glass of wine to go!!! I like that they don’t charge service / tax on top something I found hard to calculate in Canada, especially when running the cash out!! Time for ice cream!! I get a ‘Danube chocolad’ Which looks like chocolate dark variety but comes out totally multicoloured with mint and caramel bits.... strange! A one time thing
Further along the street and there’s a large open square area and a church being renovated. I can image this having Christmas markets etc! I wander down and back a bit on myself to the cathedral. I feel like I’m in Torun in poland again! I notice the grey clouds contemplating things so with 2 hour until my supposed train I hope they don’t spoil my time, although that was what happened in Torun!! There’s reference to links with Austria and plenty of signage to remind tourists they were European city of culture in 2007. Wander on and I’m in Vilnius old town but overall I like it. Certainly could recommend it for a cheap escape with plenty to eat and drink, although not dirt cheap but still cheap. I stop in the larger square for a coffee having wandered most of the old town. The tower is closed at the moment so that leaves me with something to do in the future!!!
I love the houses with the hangover eye windows!! They remind me of Mark and that morning coffee making look!! The rain is warning me, there’s a cool wind and a few drops...... I have 16 minute walk to the station, need to collect some water and get some more money out and so I may head up soon, don’t want to not get a seat either!! Ah sun wins for now! Time for a small beer and enjoy it, I’ve over an hour!
Returnability: 8/10!
I love the houses with the hangover eye windows!! They remind me of Mark and that morning coffee making look!! The rain is warning me, there’s a cool wind and a few drops...... I have 16 minute walk to the station, need to collect some water and get some more money out and so I may head up soon, don’t want to not get a seat either!! Ah sun wins for now! Time for a small beer and enjoy it, I’ve over an hour!
Returnability: 8/10!
There a german group in the main bar sitting outside. Strange to hear familiar language!! I sit down and the waiter disappears...... I’ll give him 3 minutes then going elsewhere! Not in mood to wait. Just as times up he arrives. Smallest beer is 400mls so guess that’s what I’m having!! It arrives in a bottle, and wets the whistle and at least in the sun, probably could do with a bit of lemon!!!! As with most cities, but more here than I noticed in previous places, beggars are trying their luck. At least they are ok when you say no! The ones in the uk mutter as if placing a curse!!
Well the beers taking its time to go down. Train leave in an hour. Children are appearing and undertaking that great pastime: chase the pigeon!!! It’s becoming quite lively! Doh, just noticed Train 1730, oh well I may head up and get ticket then decide. Can’t drink much more beer!! The plan works and I’m all sorted with 45 minutes to go with my ticket etc. It’s much cheaper than bus but I’d read that! I’ve run low on my battery, I think as I’ve had it off airplane mode, so I look for a reasonable place to charge it, no luck here. I end up with a small beer in the bar with all the station locals. I plug in and it doesn’t work. Some guy has noticed my rather large multicharger and asks the barman something, he looks over waves his finger and points to the plugs beside the game machines. I head over guided by a couple of others to check I’ve done it correctly!! By the posters here i suspect they have a predominantly male clientele!! Ah well nothing different than when I was having to find the boys in the ‘cage’ in the Black Swan!! I’m happily in my own world while they all chat around me, they keep looking over and I think they wish they spoke English!! Although I maybe just look strange!!
Well the beers taking its time to go down. Train leave in an hour. Children are appearing and undertaking that great pastime: chase the pigeon!!! It’s becoming quite lively! Doh, just noticed Train 1730, oh well I may head up and get ticket then decide. Can’t drink much more beer!! The plan works and I’m all sorted with 45 minutes to go with my ticket etc. It’s much cheaper than bus but I’d read that! I’ve run low on my battery, I think as I’ve had it off airplane mode, so I look for a reasonable place to charge it, no luck here. I end up with a small beer in the bar with all the station locals. I plug in and it doesn’t work. Some guy has noticed my rather large multicharger and asks the barman something, he looks over waves his finger and points to the plugs beside the game machines. I head over guided by a couple of others to check I’ve done it correctly!! By the posters here i suspect they have a predominantly male clientele!! Ah well nothing different than when I was having to find the boys in the ‘cage’ in the Black Swan!! I’m happily in my own world while they all chat around me, they keep looking over and I think they wish they spoke English!! Although I maybe just look strange!!
It’s time to go and I pop to the loo again, the man that you pay (1lei) speak best English of anyone I’ve interacted with today, but maybe 1,2,3 and a few other words are all you need for a toilet attendant.
It’s a posh train, not like the one I saw earlier, and it’s got a loo!! As I look out the window there’s rain starting again.... go for it! I’ve another 3 hours to destination. Have to admit, my planning has worked out perfectly so far and I’m pleased as had struggled to consistently find the info! 1 more big day of travels and it maybe 100%. I feel tomorrow I’ve not stretched myself so I’m looking for alternative options..... Brasov only plan so far!
The guys opposite are learning English. He is teaching her and she’s I think doing her homework. Her sentences: Marie is getting fatter and fatter and she is wearing skinny jeans, but she does not eat less!!! She must lose lots of kilos to wear shorts. Milus goes to the gym and wears shorts but should wear trousers!! Julie is pretty with children. She wears jeans and trainers!
They get off and my entertainment is over!!
2 hours to go and I’m intrigued again by the ?natural? Terracing is the landscape. There’s small mounds all over and the hills almost look sculptured! It’s an intriguing look as I can’t see vineyards or tea plantations!! I’ve video’d to ask Dad and Mum, they normally have an answer! Google will tell me anything! Thankfully it’s lovely countryside as we’re going so slowly!! 75km takes 3 hours!!! Also I’ve roaming so a few people chatting which is nice!! The trains almost empty!! We have a 10 frustrating minute stop at Medias although I’m not sure why it’s frustrating, I’ve no plans to be on time for!!! Although would like to see sighisoara in day light which I should just make! 1 more say if slow travel to go!!
My chats are lovely but my boredom has taken me to read about the terracing, and an article tells me it’s original Saxon and a final example of this. I’ll still check with the encyclopaedia that is the parents! There’s 26km to go and not due on for 50 minutes. Don’t be in a rush if travelling here!! I notice the time on the info board in the middle of the train then giggle at the date as I wander up the train. Only 3 people left! Now just me for the last 16 mins. I pop to the not too disgusting loo, and the door is Hard to open so the next few times the guard passes he jokes about my muscles!! Not sure if good or bad jokes!!
It’s a posh train, not like the one I saw earlier, and it’s got a loo!! As I look out the window there’s rain starting again.... go for it! I’ve another 3 hours to destination. Have to admit, my planning has worked out perfectly so far and I’m pleased as had struggled to consistently find the info! 1 more big day of travels and it maybe 100%. I feel tomorrow I’ve not stretched myself so I’m looking for alternative options..... Brasov only plan so far!
The guys opposite are learning English. He is teaching her and she’s I think doing her homework. Her sentences: Marie is getting fatter and fatter and she is wearing skinny jeans, but she does not eat less!!! She must lose lots of kilos to wear shorts. Milus goes to the gym and wears shorts but should wear trousers!! Julie is pretty with children. She wears jeans and trainers!
They get off and my entertainment is over!!
2 hours to go and I’m intrigued again by the ?natural? Terracing is the landscape. There’s small mounds all over and the hills almost look sculptured! It’s an intriguing look as I can’t see vineyards or tea plantations!! I’ve video’d to ask Dad and Mum, they normally have an answer! Google will tell me anything! Thankfully it’s lovely countryside as we’re going so slowly!! 75km takes 3 hours!!! Also I’ve roaming so a few people chatting which is nice!! The trains almost empty!! We have a 10 frustrating minute stop at Medias although I’m not sure why it’s frustrating, I’ve no plans to be on time for!!! Although would like to see sighisoara in day light which I should just make! 1 more say if slow travel to go!!
My chats are lovely but my boredom has taken me to read about the terracing, and an article tells me it’s original Saxon and a final example of this. I’ll still check with the encyclopaedia that is the parents! There’s 26km to go and not due on for 50 minutes. Don’t be in a rush if travelling here!! I notice the time on the info board in the middle of the train then giggle at the date as I wander up the train. Only 3 people left! Now just me for the last 16 mins. I pop to the not too disgusting loo, and the door is Hard to open so the next few times the guard passes he jokes about my muscles!! Not sure if good or bad jokes!!
Sighisoara : Home of Dracula
I’m here anyway and the legs are ready to go again. This is the smallest of my locations today and so only 3 minute walk to hostel. It’s a bit chillier now so probably dinner on way through and early night.
There’s an impressive basilica but after seeing one being built I’m unsure if it’s that old. Forget the basilica there’s a castle!! And my map goes into perspective. Guess I’m up that hill!!
I sure am so off I go, and at the top it’s a lively and lovely little maze of small streets going around the hill with a church overlooking it all. All that said the sun is going and therefore daylight so my adventures are drawing to a close. I need to walk down a dark covered over steep stairs (150) so I think I’ll phone mum on my way down to tell her I’m in Dracula birth town as she’d mentioned it this morning!! Bonus as I get a quick hi from Dad too!
Into the hostel and it’s a nice old building, a bunk bed and 2 single which I believe have 2 guys sleeping in. I explain to the receptionist I’m leaving early tomorrow and that’s not a problem. There’s no sign of the guys so I’ll have a quick beer and hit the hay once done this!
Alarm set for 6:15am! I’m thinking that the mist will be hanging around so not much to see this high up.... Brasov here I come!!
There’s an impressive basilica but after seeing one being built I’m unsure if it’s that old. Forget the basilica there’s a castle!! And my map goes into perspective. Guess I’m up that hill!!
I sure am so off I go, and at the top it’s a lively and lovely little maze of small streets going around the hill with a church overlooking it all. All that said the sun is going and therefore daylight so my adventures are drawing to a close. I need to walk down a dark covered over steep stairs (150) so I think I’ll phone mum on my way down to tell her I’m in Dracula birth town as she’d mentioned it this morning!! Bonus as I get a quick hi from Dad too!
Into the hostel and it’s a nice old building, a bunk bed and 2 single which I believe have 2 guys sleeping in. I explain to the receptionist I’m leaving early tomorrow and that’s not a problem. There’s no sign of the guys so I’ll have a quick beer and hit the hay once done this!
Alarm set for 6:15am! I’m thinking that the mist will be hanging around so not much to see this high up.... Brasov here I come!!
The guys are back and they’re french and lovely. Both doing PhD, one in computer science of firework ignition and the other in communication of computer systems with reference to robotics is what I understood!! We have a long chat and at 2345 hit the hay. They also are getting an early bus out so we’re all up together. They’ve just come from Brasov area so I get a map to use tomorrow. Lights out!! 12 miles done today!
Returnability: 1/10 been there done it!
Returnability: 1/10 been there done it!
Day 6: to Bucharest
Brasov - famous heart of Transylvania
So alarm goes off on time and I jump in shower first... boys still not awake (not sure they set alarms!) however a I get out a car alarm has done my job and they are very much awake now. We’re changed and off by 0650 off down the hill. It’s not far and the boys (thankfully) can recall their route to get down, they were hikers after all. It’s a fast descent, and we bid goodbye at the bus station next to the train. We all agree that although lovely sighisoara is not a place to rush back to especially as everything was closing they tell me by 4pm and all activity almost ceased by 8, so 2 destinations a no, and 2 (Sibiu and Baia Mare) are yes!
I get my ticket, all good, then wait..... it’s 0710, quick coffee can be fitted in..... done, it’s 0715 departure comes and goes..... there’s a few others around so I’m hopefully they’re not waiting for the 0936 departure!! The cockerels have woken and are having a good lung clearing, Karen would shudder!! It’s 16 minutes late and I know I didn’t hear it pass when I was getting my coffee and was out by 0715 but I’m starting to doubt myself!! A few people are coming out to look up and down the track, but then they are the ones with beers in hand in the cafe!!
0732 and my train (I think) is announced. Well it’s going from platform ‘doi’ so about right...... 117km and 3 hours again to cover it!! Going to be a busy Train!! It’s 0740 when the train pulls in, beer finishing warning timeframe! It’s a bit like Berwick station... a cold wind blows down the track!! The police are standing watch over a couple of kids who look like they will come on begging, first police I’ve seen here! Sadly it gets worse as the train arrives, I was in luxury yesterday!! It’s dirty, smelly and the windows covered in graffiti! Damn so much for the landscape watching!! 3 hours of this remain!! I’m going to edit photos and keep head down!!! The guys are all discussing things out of the window. Theres plenty of sheep around and that’s most of the area I’m going through. The graffiti is disappointing block to the landscape but it’s much the same of what I came through yesterday which I took plenty of picture of!! I have my brasov plan figured out and will just be a case of when to head south to Bucharest. I think it’ll be a train again as ironically the time is faster on the train in this situation than the bus! There are plenty of options. The train fills with women and kids, I’m assuming heading for Brasov too. 2 police come into the train at Agustin, they are join the ticket man on his rounds. Outside the sun has still not appeared so I’m not too bothered being in here with 1 hour to go! More gypsy like people coming on at the next stop and the police are back to support the guard. I think I must have most in this carriage as they’ve been sitting at the end since previous stop. I’m checking out weather and it’s not looking great today so maybe need to seek shelter a few times and tomorrow it’s wet early morning in Bucharest, shame, can’t get up early!! Haha.
I look up some history on Ceausescu children as it’s a phrase I recall and pictures I remember seeing but not fully aware of the story. This is what I found: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/news/2014/dec/10/-sp-ceausescus-children . It’s getting noisy now as people are watching stuff on phones, shouting down the carriage and kids are restless, and we’re meant to have arrived already but we remain late! Having said that we are going faster than I have experienced, and the train shoogles lots!!! Pass a larger solar area, it’s the first field of it I’ve seen!
I get my ticket, all good, then wait..... it’s 0710, quick coffee can be fitted in..... done, it’s 0715 departure comes and goes..... there’s a few others around so I’m hopefully they’re not waiting for the 0936 departure!! The cockerels have woken and are having a good lung clearing, Karen would shudder!! It’s 16 minutes late and I know I didn’t hear it pass when I was getting my coffee and was out by 0715 but I’m starting to doubt myself!! A few people are coming out to look up and down the track, but then they are the ones with beers in hand in the cafe!!
0732 and my train (I think) is announced. Well it’s going from platform ‘doi’ so about right...... 117km and 3 hours again to cover it!! Going to be a busy Train!! It’s 0740 when the train pulls in, beer finishing warning timeframe! It’s a bit like Berwick station... a cold wind blows down the track!! The police are standing watch over a couple of kids who look like they will come on begging, first police I’ve seen here! Sadly it gets worse as the train arrives, I was in luxury yesterday!! It’s dirty, smelly and the windows covered in graffiti! Damn so much for the landscape watching!! 3 hours of this remain!! I’m going to edit photos and keep head down!!! The guys are all discussing things out of the window. Theres plenty of sheep around and that’s most of the area I’m going through. The graffiti is disappointing block to the landscape but it’s much the same of what I came through yesterday which I took plenty of picture of!! I have my brasov plan figured out and will just be a case of when to head south to Bucharest. I think it’ll be a train again as ironically the time is faster on the train in this situation than the bus! There are plenty of options. The train fills with women and kids, I’m assuming heading for Brasov too. 2 police come into the train at Agustin, they are join the ticket man on his rounds. Outside the sun has still not appeared so I’m not too bothered being in here with 1 hour to go! More gypsy like people coming on at the next stop and the police are back to support the guard. I think I must have most in this carriage as they’ve been sitting at the end since previous stop. I’m checking out weather and it’s not looking great today so maybe need to seek shelter a few times and tomorrow it’s wet early morning in Bucharest, shame, can’t get up early!! Haha.
I look up some history on Ceausescu children as it’s a phrase I recall and pictures I remember seeing but not fully aware of the story. This is what I found: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/news/2014/dec/10/-sp-ceausescus-children . It’s getting noisy now as people are watching stuff on phones, shouting down the carriage and kids are restless, and we’re meant to have arrived already but we remain late! Having said that we are going faster than I have experienced, and the train shoogles lots!!! Pass a larger solar area, it’s the first field of it I’ve seen!
A hive of activity and we eventually get in at 11am....20 minutes late and I’ve just noticed that Independence Day was yesterday! I’d not noticed too much additional activity but it may make Bucharest interesting this weekend! It’s nice once you escape the station chaos! It’s another 20min walk or 2k into the old area. Coffee and out stop and I’m there, it’s busy and a few tours going on. The sun has found me, and it’s nice! I’ve decided to do a loop round and hopefully get a good overview.... once away from the 2 lane traffic its a nice town. I find the walk along the river lovely through the trees. The sun is off and on so I double back on myself to find some food and head into the pedestrian zone centre. The place is filled with al fresco tables and that lovely relaxed feeling...... and of coifed an ice cream or 5 stalls! I’m trying a chocolate and pear one. I sit in the main square and have a fb chat with Brenda on her cruise as a passenger (frequents and family!). The weathers not good which is a shame and she’s finding it a bit hard to keep entertained. At least she’s got her own cabin though!
As I finish up so does the sun and the pigeons are swirling around while the wind gets up. I’m suspecting rain so the 1415 Train out will be my plan. I have just over an hour but conflicting website information!! So best go find out. It’s 2.5 hours On the faster train, twice the price but 1 hour less and this morning Train experience encourages that expense!!! I’ve had a nice train and a nasty train so wonder what I get this time!!! As I walk faster the damp drops seem to fall more frequently, positive thinking, it’s just their trajectory and my speed!
As I finish up so does the sun and the pigeons are swirling around while the wind gets up. I’m suspecting rain so the 1415 Train out will be my plan. I have just over an hour but conflicting website information!! So best go find out. It’s 2.5 hours On the faster train, twice the price but 1 hour less and this morning Train experience encourages that expense!!! I’ve had a nice train and a nasty train so wonder what I get this time!!! As I walk faster the damp drops seem to fall more frequently, positive thinking, it’s just their trajectory and my speed!
I get there with 10mins to go and the lady speaks good English (maybe they’re used to the Dracula castle tour brits! She tells me the platform also and I head straight into the Train. I think my ticket has a seat number but it’s appearing to not be in chronological order and I don’t see my seat easily so I wander a coach down as these appear to be odd number seats, but when I find the corresponding seat the guys explain that I’m in first class (not much different) and should be ok to sit anywhere! I thank them and say I’m heading back to the next carriage and going to take the chance and sit somewhere until moved. I have charger point and it’s nice and clean....3rd time lucky. Oh and leaves on time / 1min early!! This 2h45m will not be so bad!!
Bye Brasov: returnability: 7/10 for a quick weekend away as there’s still more to do especially in surrounding areas (Bran castle etc).
Good choice. By 3pm it’s pouring wet! We’re back in mountain area and there’s tiny bits of snow on the mountain. It’s lovely as always unspoilt mountains are! 1 hour to go and 97km. Getting there slowly! Im noticing the train is filling up and I’m sure soon I’ll have to go suss out my correct seat but Phone is fully charged now so no problem!! We’re down in the flat lands again and fields of crops and livestock. The train guards seem to trust people when they ask for tickets, or not everyone has to pay. A father and son sit opposite me and keep heads down as they go past. They’ve just got on but the guard asks them something, they say yes and he goes asking to see others tickets. Similar happened earlier with a group of guys! Maybe they’d been checked on the platform!?!
Sitting looking at the route I’ve covered over the last 48hours almost, I suddenly have this silly thought to go to the Bulgarian border tomorrow!! It’s 1 hour away so realistically possible!!! Let’s see what weather has in store when I check later......! I’m 15mins from Bucharest and my Hotel is just round from the station, good planning i thought...... arrival 10 mins early and the rain has stopped for me! I get off and pass the conductor who gives me a big smile, nod and a wink!! I return the smile and nod and say thank you!!!! Bless! The station is nice and lots of shops and eatery places, mainly the fast food and pastry places but not filled with too many beer drinkers as yet!! However it’s only because they ate sitting further down the road!!!! The hotel is an easy find which is good as the rain is keen to start again!! I appear to have booked breakfast also, that was very organised!! Hopefully its not just pastry and coffee!!
Map in hand i head to a proper bed, a nice shower and a clean fresh room! Luxury at last!!! Time to plan Bucharest! I’m 2km from the centre so think I’ll hit that tomorrow, tonight is freshen up and early night!
Bye Brasov: returnability: 7/10 for a quick weekend away as there’s still more to do especially in surrounding areas (Bran castle etc).
Good choice. By 3pm it’s pouring wet! We’re back in mountain area and there’s tiny bits of snow on the mountain. It’s lovely as always unspoilt mountains are! 1 hour to go and 97km. Getting there slowly! Im noticing the train is filling up and I’m sure soon I’ll have to go suss out my correct seat but Phone is fully charged now so no problem!! We’re down in the flat lands again and fields of crops and livestock. The train guards seem to trust people when they ask for tickets, or not everyone has to pay. A father and son sit opposite me and keep heads down as they go past. They’ve just got on but the guard asks them something, they say yes and he goes asking to see others tickets. Similar happened earlier with a group of guys! Maybe they’d been checked on the platform!?!
Sitting looking at the route I’ve covered over the last 48hours almost, I suddenly have this silly thought to go to the Bulgarian border tomorrow!! It’s 1 hour away so realistically possible!!! Let’s see what weather has in store when I check later......! I’m 15mins from Bucharest and my Hotel is just round from the station, good planning i thought...... arrival 10 mins early and the rain has stopped for me! I get off and pass the conductor who gives me a big smile, nod and a wink!! I return the smile and nod and say thank you!!!! Bless! The station is nice and lots of shops and eatery places, mainly the fast food and pastry places but not filled with too many beer drinkers as yet!! However it’s only because they ate sitting further down the road!!!! The hotel is an easy find which is good as the rain is keen to start again!! I appear to have booked breakfast also, that was very organised!! Hopefully its not just pastry and coffee!!
Map in hand i head to a proper bed, a nice shower and a clean fresh room! Luxury at last!!! Time to plan Bucharest! I’m 2km from the centre so think I’ll hit that tomorrow, tonight is freshen up and early night!
Day 7: lets go to the south
Giurgiu
So 0615 and awake and refreshed. The room is very quiet and the bed at last very comfortable. Breakfast starts in 15 mins so I have time to get ready and still be first ones in!!
Mission accomplished although I’m not first, already 3 people are eating!! It’s a reasonable spread of the usual and I make myself a sandwich for later as not sure of plans!! I think I have to hit the border on the south for north to south completion!! If I do that I will walk back through my places to see that I sussed last night Plus I want to suss out a bit of the metro system which may reduce my step distance today but will make easier if I return!! I take the chance of asking someone that speak English at reception about the travel on metro here to establish which my best option having read that you can have a oyster type card, a 2 journey ticket and a multi journey ticket. He suggests the 2 journey ticket.
It’s a 10 minute walk to the metro on the line I want but I have 1 hour until the next bus it says and the walk is good after my sausage, cheese and egg breakfast and despite warning on all the forecasts of rain, I am braving my summer dress today. At least it’ll dry fast!! I also suddenly realise that without my backpack I have no umbrella, maybe bad planning but no turning back now!!
The metro system: first step a ticket! On the platform, 5lei for 2 trips and a Guy helps to direct me to the correct platform. It’s a full tube but not london full for 0821! There’s 5 stops to mine and I arrive at 0832, so efficient. However the bus station is not so good, and after wandering for 10 minutes up and down mr google map suggestions, I give in and follow my mothers advise: ask a policeman. They speak no English, and struggle to use my google map but send me along and left left. This lots don’t carry guns, think they’re traffic police! I head to the left then left again as it’s a dead end, Which in reality they could have pointed down the right side road as I’d asked them at a v junction which makes me wonder why they didn’t! So I hear down and see nothing like a bus station. There’s a military place over the road so I pop to ask them, he points me to the yellow building opposite...... back over the bus road and go in, to find it’s a primary school and Once the security guard gets his glasses on he sends me back to the metro station saying it’s 2! I assume 2 in 1!! I walk past the police men again on the other side of the road and into the metro station. The buses leave in 8 minutes. I check behind the metro station, definitely not there, so I head into the station and ask the ticket woman. She sends me to the opposite direction than I’ve been, ok worth a try..... nothing here and it’s time for the bus to go yet I see none! More policeman and younger, this time they have some English and send me back to where the original police are. (Still unarmed as far as I could see!). Eventually I see a minibus going into a parking lot so I’ll follow that!! There’s another bus in 15 minutes. Oh what an idiot I am. The original police were correct. It’s a tiny yard behind the place they were standing, they could have shown me better as only 50m from where I asked them but they had said left, left but also explains why they didn’t show me down the right side! ! The bus is there and quite full! As soon as I get on it leaves, 0920! Maybe I didn’t miss the earlier one!!! I’ve already covered 3 miles!! I can only giggle to myself!! We’re off. The land is flat and very fertile again with the what is now usual huge expanses of crops dotted with small bits of woodland. I notice as we pass churches many of the older people cross themselves which in some parts has them busy!! Ah, Rosie is up!! Messaged her to see if she’d return to do Dracula country! As we arrive into Guirgui it’s a grey sky, so will see what comes of it. Rain and thunder were to happen about 1000 and it’s 1030! I get a message from my Spanish mate (Dani) i met in Taiwan. He’s been to the Philippines to model and now back in Taiwan wanting to return to Spain. Right smoothie to pick me up In an amazing cake shop (see below!) and 1.5 miles to walk. The actual border is accessed by a highway by the look of the map and is 6km but there’s a pint to. Head to that you maybe can see the bridge from. Let’s try! If not I’ve made it to the south at least. It’s 1100 and I’d contemplated return to Bucharest for 1, so I have a tough plan!
Mission accomplished although I’m not first, already 3 people are eating!! It’s a reasonable spread of the usual and I make myself a sandwich for later as not sure of plans!! I think I have to hit the border on the south for north to south completion!! If I do that I will walk back through my places to see that I sussed last night Plus I want to suss out a bit of the metro system which may reduce my step distance today but will make easier if I return!! I take the chance of asking someone that speak English at reception about the travel on metro here to establish which my best option having read that you can have a oyster type card, a 2 journey ticket and a multi journey ticket. He suggests the 2 journey ticket.
It’s a 10 minute walk to the metro on the line I want but I have 1 hour until the next bus it says and the walk is good after my sausage, cheese and egg breakfast and despite warning on all the forecasts of rain, I am braving my summer dress today. At least it’ll dry fast!! I also suddenly realise that without my backpack I have no umbrella, maybe bad planning but no turning back now!!
The metro system: first step a ticket! On the platform, 5lei for 2 trips and a Guy helps to direct me to the correct platform. It’s a full tube but not london full for 0821! There’s 5 stops to mine and I arrive at 0832, so efficient. However the bus station is not so good, and after wandering for 10 minutes up and down mr google map suggestions, I give in and follow my mothers advise: ask a policeman. They speak no English, and struggle to use my google map but send me along and left left. This lots don’t carry guns, think they’re traffic police! I head to the left then left again as it’s a dead end, Which in reality they could have pointed down the right side road as I’d asked them at a v junction which makes me wonder why they didn’t! So I hear down and see nothing like a bus station. There’s a military place over the road so I pop to ask them, he points me to the yellow building opposite...... back over the bus road and go in, to find it’s a primary school and Once the security guard gets his glasses on he sends me back to the metro station saying it’s 2! I assume 2 in 1!! I walk past the police men again on the other side of the road and into the metro station. The buses leave in 8 minutes. I check behind the metro station, definitely not there, so I head into the station and ask the ticket woman. She sends me to the opposite direction than I’ve been, ok worth a try..... nothing here and it’s time for the bus to go yet I see none! More policeman and younger, this time they have some English and send me back to where the original police are. (Still unarmed as far as I could see!). Eventually I see a minibus going into a parking lot so I’ll follow that!! There’s another bus in 15 minutes. Oh what an idiot I am. The original police were correct. It’s a tiny yard behind the place they were standing, they could have shown me better as only 50m from where I asked them but they had said left, left but also explains why they didn’t show me down the right side! ! The bus is there and quite full! As soon as I get on it leaves, 0920! Maybe I didn’t miss the earlier one!!! I’ve already covered 3 miles!! I can only giggle to myself!! We’re off. The land is flat and very fertile again with the what is now usual huge expanses of crops dotted with small bits of woodland. I notice as we pass churches many of the older people cross themselves which in some parts has them busy!! Ah, Rosie is up!! Messaged her to see if she’d return to do Dracula country! As we arrive into Guirgui it’s a grey sky, so will see what comes of it. Rain and thunder were to happen about 1000 and it’s 1030! I get a message from my Spanish mate (Dani) i met in Taiwan. He’s been to the Philippines to model and now back in Taiwan wanting to return to Spain. Right smoothie to pick me up In an amazing cake shop (see below!) and 1.5 miles to walk. The actual border is accessed by a highway by the look of the map and is 6km but there’s a pint to. Head to that you maybe can see the bridge from. Let’s try! If not I’ve made it to the south at least. It’s 1100 and I’d contemplated return to Bucharest for 1, so I have a tough plan!
I wander through a street market and on the small book stall there he is:
MY LITTLE PRINCE!!
MY LITTLE PRINCE!!
As I get closer walking through scrub land either side. I can see the customs but not sure I’ll see the bridge in the end. I’ll head to the Danube and decide from there. As I wander through theres people collecting plastic, leaves and berries from the ‘road’ side from things that look very like vine leaves of grapes!! I get to my Danube view point across to Bulgaria and its tree covered and no view. Oh well back we go!! There’s been lots of stray dogs I’ve passed without a problem and the only one that I see with owners barks and follows me!! It’s still warm with a bit of a breeze starting to gather made more obvious by the surrounding leafy bushes. My dog Winerer passes in a truck and offers me a lift. I’m fine walking for now! Another car passes and he offers me a lift with lots of hand signals to the right. I’m not warning to go to the bridge I’m going to autogara. And I thank him. He says ok and drives on about 10m then stops again. This time he asks more in Romanian. I say I’m sorry I don’t understand. He shows me a police badge and asks where are you from. Scotland I say. Why Giurgui? I show him my north to south trip. Ah he says. I say I’m now returning to Bucharest. He seems fine and says have fun and drives on! I guess a female inna summer dress in this area is not exactly usual!! I munch on my wee cheese and tomato roll I brought and keep fingers crossed that more rain doesn’t come as there are drops again!! Back to the lorry etc hang out and turn back through the houses to the centre. Suddenly I notice the ticks say school exam on them so I’m thinking this maybe is used as a training area?! Moe I can confirm it’s raining so shortest distances to the station needed. I’m back in an area with shops so if it really has the heavens open I have a shelter dash although many seem to be funeral places!!!
Popping into the supermarket by the bus station to get a drink and also here they charge for plastic bags. There’s a bus waiting so all good. They are frequent I did see. My little wander to the south has me covering 8 miles so far! Bucharest by 2pm and then there to explore!
Popping into the supermarket by the bus station to get a drink and also here they charge for plastic bags. There’s a bus waiting so all good. They are frequent I did see. My little wander to the south has me covering 8 miles so far! Bucharest by 2pm and then there to explore!
The rain is still falling and now quite heavy as we drive back so I’m glad I’m on the bus and hoping it’s stopped by the time I get back. There’s a load of police stop and check points as we drive north, we’re not stopped but I’ve brought my passport anyway!!
It’s an uneventful drive back and the sun is also back! It’s 1345 so I’ll be in the centre for my planned 2pm. Just to head back 2 stops on that tube. This time it’s a longer wait, but still only 5 minutes.
I come out to blue sky and hot!! I’ve chosen to walk up to the historic centre but I thought it was through a park, which is more of a green part between the traffic. No worries the old part is close by. Oh it’s lovely when you enter. Narrow streets bustling with activity. Ok mainly pubs and bars so dread to think what it’ll be like tonight but I think the boys would love it! I find the passage macca and vilacrosse, internal covered passages with beautiful glass roof. I’m not fancying a drink and all the food on offer is typical of the tourist pull. So I munch my second wee sandwich, I’m not fancying kebab, pizza or burgers, then get disorientated in the architectural 100year exhibition I think it was in an underpass, And take 3 attempts to get out the one I want!
I’m off to find the passage with all the umbrellas. It’s down a bit of a back street but with the sun shining through it’s lovely. Ok time for a drink! I’ve done 10miles so I go to order a beer but they only serve Czech so I go with a local wine, he offers me a red, and serves it with ice. This is its eat of being served. Its a Feteasca Neagra special reserve. I can’t find much out on line about it but it’s a fair size of glass unless there was lots of ice that melted already!! Turns out to be 200mls plus ice and I make it through it but I’m done for wine for a while!!! Cost 8lei: £1.50p!!! I’m off to research the drink prices for the boys in the historic centre. It’s lovely sunshine but not many places are getting it but I find one, of course!! Coffee time!! Its going to be drunk fast as there’s a busker, aka street ‘entertainer’ and he’s really not entertaining! I’m going to head on to the ‘water front’ then I think I’ll wander back the 1.5 miles to get to the hotel. I’m inadvertently listening to an American woman who’s with what I assume is her partner, cigarette in one hand and beer in the other cursing she forgot to take her allergy pills and her vitamins as she notices an immediate difference in her skin when she forgets them,.... I would have thought he would know that already.... he does seem to be looking in the total opposite direction and maybe letting her just talk!! I think stop the cigarette and beers and eat and drink properly and you’re skin will be better!!! The wine is having an effect!! Time to head off. Coffee done and the guy is on a break.....!! He’s playing to the hostel crowd so guessing he’s staying there too! It was the same price as my Hotel for a dorm room!!(£30). The river is between the road so I wander sort of aimlessly around the old cobbled streets dodging the outdoor seating which is filling up. It is 1630 so guess end of day!
There’s an abundance of amazing pizza places with all about £4 and yet I find the busiest place is still Pizza Hut!! I hear the odd American accent but despite covering most of the streets of the old town and it being a Friday evening I hear very few English / uk accents even when I see a large ‘stag party’ like group, so much better than krakow where they all were brits being drunk!! I’ve escaped the centre and back to the noisy traffic world! The sun is clouded over so I’m going to head to recharge at my hotel then decide a plan!! 13miles covered! Not bad for 10 hours!!
Over all the historic centre is certainly a place to hide and never need to leave!! It’s got the banks, a worldwide selection of food and drink and plenty of choices! The rest is just another city!!!
It’s an uneventful drive back and the sun is also back! It’s 1345 so I’ll be in the centre for my planned 2pm. Just to head back 2 stops on that tube. This time it’s a longer wait, but still only 5 minutes.
I come out to blue sky and hot!! I’ve chosen to walk up to the historic centre but I thought it was through a park, which is more of a green part between the traffic. No worries the old part is close by. Oh it’s lovely when you enter. Narrow streets bustling with activity. Ok mainly pubs and bars so dread to think what it’ll be like tonight but I think the boys would love it! I find the passage macca and vilacrosse, internal covered passages with beautiful glass roof. I’m not fancying a drink and all the food on offer is typical of the tourist pull. So I munch my second wee sandwich, I’m not fancying kebab, pizza or burgers, then get disorientated in the architectural 100year exhibition I think it was in an underpass, And take 3 attempts to get out the one I want!
I’m off to find the passage with all the umbrellas. It’s down a bit of a back street but with the sun shining through it’s lovely. Ok time for a drink! I’ve done 10miles so I go to order a beer but they only serve Czech so I go with a local wine, he offers me a red, and serves it with ice. This is its eat of being served. Its a Feteasca Neagra special reserve. I can’t find much out on line about it but it’s a fair size of glass unless there was lots of ice that melted already!! Turns out to be 200mls plus ice and I make it through it but I’m done for wine for a while!!! Cost 8lei: £1.50p!!! I’m off to research the drink prices for the boys in the historic centre. It’s lovely sunshine but not many places are getting it but I find one, of course!! Coffee time!! Its going to be drunk fast as there’s a busker, aka street ‘entertainer’ and he’s really not entertaining! I’m going to head on to the ‘water front’ then I think I’ll wander back the 1.5 miles to get to the hotel. I’m inadvertently listening to an American woman who’s with what I assume is her partner, cigarette in one hand and beer in the other cursing she forgot to take her allergy pills and her vitamins as she notices an immediate difference in her skin when she forgets them,.... I would have thought he would know that already.... he does seem to be looking in the total opposite direction and maybe letting her just talk!! I think stop the cigarette and beers and eat and drink properly and you’re skin will be better!!! The wine is having an effect!! Time to head off. Coffee done and the guy is on a break.....!! He’s playing to the hostel crowd so guessing he’s staying there too! It was the same price as my Hotel for a dorm room!!(£30). The river is between the road so I wander sort of aimlessly around the old cobbled streets dodging the outdoor seating which is filling up. It is 1630 so guess end of day!
There’s an abundance of amazing pizza places with all about £4 and yet I find the busiest place is still Pizza Hut!! I hear the odd American accent but despite covering most of the streets of the old town and it being a Friday evening I hear very few English / uk accents even when I see a large ‘stag party’ like group, so much better than krakow where they all were brits being drunk!! I’ve escaped the centre and back to the noisy traffic world! The sun is clouded over so I’m going to head to recharge at my hotel then decide a plan!! 13miles covered! Not bad for 10 hours!!
Over all the historic centre is certainly a place to hide and never need to leave!! It’s got the banks, a worldwide selection of food and drink and plenty of choices! The rest is just another city!!!
Day 8: Back to London
A leisurely start to the day as breakfast starts only at 0730 so once again I’m in first and this time I am first. It’s 0731 and the hot food is already cold but at least the coffee is good! It suddenly becomes swamped with loads of people then just as fast, empties! I heard back for a shower and pack, then out to see what shopping I have around me. There’s very little so back and pick up bag and off to a park area. I’d started with beautiful sun but it’s well hides by clouds. It’s a 1k only walk to park cismigiu with its lakes, statues and birds, I feel like I’m back in retiro Park in madrid.
It’s still being planted up for summer so looks a bit bare in parts! It’s 4 hours til my train to the airport and the usual splitting of rain about lunch time starts. This time I have a brollie! As most of my experience it’s just teasing and preparing for the sunshine as I wander back towards the station. I find final day is always a clock watching experience and I’m never very productive!! I hit the statue to medical staff, but sadly it’s under renovation so not easy to appreciate fully. Next time! I wander back to the station with 3 hours to go til I fly and grab a salad for lunch. I buy my train ticket and it’s more expensive and confusing than I thought....... I have 2 tickets! They contain different times and although go to the airport it looks like I have to change. I then realise I’d planned to take the bus from here! That’s why it’s more expensive than I thought. Silly me!! Oh well I’m on the train now! Next time!!! Ah yes there’s a shuttle bus, little like Luton then!
I’m back on the semi posh Train!! I hope it’s the right one as nothing on the train tells you much! Ticket man said nothing and the girl opposite has a big suitcase so can’t be too far off.
The guard alerts me that I am coming to the airport stop, he also alerts various others but only I get off. It’s a wee deserted platform and a large gap down off the train with about 8” drop and same across the nettles to the platform. No heels when travelling here or small kids to get off!!
I head down the circular walkway and there’s 2 minibuses at the bottom one of which starts up and off we trundle down the dusty back roads to the airport. It’s been a 1h 10m trip for 10miles!!!! Got to love a country working at pace!! It’s hot out now the airport says 31 degrees! Hopefully a spot to sit out and enjoy before I fly! I really am going down the back streets and not sure if this is their way or the official!! Got to love chauffeurs too!!
I have 2 hours to take off. Now to figure out which ‘gate’ security I go through ..... the 1-48 go one direction while 50-75 go another so no idea which.... ask at info! Gate 30. Security is easy and I’m through rapidly. It’s a long airport and not much shopping outwith food and alcohol. Ah well it’s only an hour til boarding. I look at bits in dutyfree and back to Euros..... a bag of Dracula coffee €19!! Wonder what he did to it.
Boarding is approaching and I reflect back on the last 8 days, 3 countries, 1470 miles on transport, 85miles on foot and unknown small bits on local Bucharest public transport!!
Bucharest and a relaxed day has been a lovely end to an interesting and, thus far, my most challenging trip. I’ve on the whole enjoyed it and challenged my comfort zone a bit more than normal. The next trip will be easier.......I think!
Overall I could do a weekend to Bucharest, Brasov and the castles, Sibiu for a market or festival time, and Odessa to head down the Black Sea to Constanta and varna, but not sure many more! I’m disappointed in Kiev and although I trusted Lorna’s opinion I hoped I may find something different. Also the Moldova aspect was less relaxed than I’d expected and maybe the north will be better but I didn’t enjoy the feel like I expected. There’s more of Romania to pop over to on cheap flights but I will do 2-3 cities again in a weekend incase they turn out to be really like sighisoara!! However the trains are not the most efficient way of getting from
A to b but sometimes the only option!!
Returnability overall: 10/10. I’ll be back to new places!
My flight back had planned to involve a lovely sleep however Sergiu sat down beside me and we didn’t stop chatting about travels, Romanian politics (very corrupt) and his interest in bank notes and collection of them. On getting off I meet his sister Felecia, who loves to travel and is a bubbly person so the trip from the airport to stratford was very chatty, overcoming the pouring rain that we had found!! Home by 9:30pm, a late night for me!!!
It’s still being planted up for summer so looks a bit bare in parts! It’s 4 hours til my train to the airport and the usual splitting of rain about lunch time starts. This time I have a brollie! As most of my experience it’s just teasing and preparing for the sunshine as I wander back towards the station. I find final day is always a clock watching experience and I’m never very productive!! I hit the statue to medical staff, but sadly it’s under renovation so not easy to appreciate fully. Next time! I wander back to the station with 3 hours to go til I fly and grab a salad for lunch. I buy my train ticket and it’s more expensive and confusing than I thought....... I have 2 tickets! They contain different times and although go to the airport it looks like I have to change. I then realise I’d planned to take the bus from here! That’s why it’s more expensive than I thought. Silly me!! Oh well I’m on the train now! Next time!!! Ah yes there’s a shuttle bus, little like Luton then!
I’m back on the semi posh Train!! I hope it’s the right one as nothing on the train tells you much! Ticket man said nothing and the girl opposite has a big suitcase so can’t be too far off.
The guard alerts me that I am coming to the airport stop, he also alerts various others but only I get off. It’s a wee deserted platform and a large gap down off the train with about 8” drop and same across the nettles to the platform. No heels when travelling here or small kids to get off!!
I head down the circular walkway and there’s 2 minibuses at the bottom one of which starts up and off we trundle down the dusty back roads to the airport. It’s been a 1h 10m trip for 10miles!!!! Got to love a country working at pace!! It’s hot out now the airport says 31 degrees! Hopefully a spot to sit out and enjoy before I fly! I really am going down the back streets and not sure if this is their way or the official!! Got to love chauffeurs too!!
I have 2 hours to take off. Now to figure out which ‘gate’ security I go through ..... the 1-48 go one direction while 50-75 go another so no idea which.... ask at info! Gate 30. Security is easy and I’m through rapidly. It’s a long airport and not much shopping outwith food and alcohol. Ah well it’s only an hour til boarding. I look at bits in dutyfree and back to Euros..... a bag of Dracula coffee €19!! Wonder what he did to it.
Boarding is approaching and I reflect back on the last 8 days, 3 countries, 1470 miles on transport, 85miles on foot and unknown small bits on local Bucharest public transport!!
Bucharest and a relaxed day has been a lovely end to an interesting and, thus far, my most challenging trip. I’ve on the whole enjoyed it and challenged my comfort zone a bit more than normal. The next trip will be easier.......I think!
Overall I could do a weekend to Bucharest, Brasov and the castles, Sibiu for a market or festival time, and Odessa to head down the Black Sea to Constanta and varna, but not sure many more! I’m disappointed in Kiev and although I trusted Lorna’s opinion I hoped I may find something different. Also the Moldova aspect was less relaxed than I’d expected and maybe the north will be better but I didn’t enjoy the feel like I expected. There’s more of Romania to pop over to on cheap flights but I will do 2-3 cities again in a weekend incase they turn out to be really like sighisoara!! However the trains are not the most efficient way of getting from
A to b but sometimes the only option!!
Returnability overall: 10/10. I’ll be back to new places!
My flight back had planned to involve a lovely sleep however Sergiu sat down beside me and we didn’t stop chatting about travels, Romanian politics (very corrupt) and his interest in bank notes and collection of them. On getting off I meet his sister Felecia, who loves to travel and is a bubbly person so the trip from the airport to stratford was very chatty, overcoming the pouring rain that we had found!! Home by 9:30pm, a late night for me!!!