Our journey through Romania has been very interesting. We see modernity growing, beside a historic way of life. The brand new Mercedes Benz passing a horse drawn cart that is unique to Romania and has been its transport since time immemorial. The log houses giving away to more modern and efficient materials and designs.
Interesting drive
Leaving our camp at around 10 am after chatting with a very interesting German camper, who’s van had developed an electrical problem and was waiting to be picked up and taken away for repair. He had been a sales representative for a German chemical company in the Middle East and it was interesting to hear his views as to the origins of all conflicts in the area. The death of Ghadaffi and destruction of his country. The great work he was doing for his people, yet we were told he was a tyrant. His crime, how he used his resource, oil, did not meet with approval of others. Now Europe is invaded by refugees, not only from Libya!
After departing the camp, some shopping to top up our constantly diminishing supplies and visited a historic fort in Suceava.
Fort in Suceava
Finding some shade under trees, we had lunch before expecting to spend an hour or so looking through the remains of an impressive once, fort. What we found was a reconstruction site with no entrance available. It wasn’t a problem as there was no charge to enter and after some pics, we were on our way again.
The driving is mostly through endless towns built beside the road but some sections through mountains and forests presenting challenging driving conditions and scenic interest. Passing a number of ski resorts with modern buildings but mainly deserted at this time of year.
Our direction – Moldova
The sat-nav seemed to be taking us in odd directions at times, yet when looking at the map, it was obviously guiding us along the most efficient routes.
Approaching Romanian exit and Moldova immigration points.
It wasn’t till about 5.30pm that we arrived at the border and google told us there was a 17min processing delay. Well, that was out by double. Fortunately we were able to assure the customs people in the Romanian customs that we had in fact shipped into Europe just over a week ago, as there were no stamps in our passport or other records of us having done so. Importation in western countries are now largely done by computer with no record, other than a digital one. Romania wanted to see proof!!
Once across both borders and insurance for the vehicle and road tax paid to drive in Moldova, it must have been 6.30pm and there is no sign of camping sites. Jen found us a cheap hotel room in Ungheni, a smaller town 107k’s away from the capital, Chisinau. We’ll. Drive there tomorrow. It was called Kishenev, when my companions and I drove through there 56 years ago. A great drab grey, Soviet outpost, from memory. Moldova is not yet in the European Union, though trying hard to do so. Already Europe has contributed infrastructure finance.
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Well done the aged one and his young(er) companion. Sounds an interesting part of the world. I still have mental pictures of Jen buttering bread for lunch in over 40c in the Simpson Desert. Hope you have progressed and presume you don’t need fly nets. We are now the proud owners, well proud might be an exageration, more, ‘what have I just done’, of Nil Desperandum, or No Worries in oz speak. A 30′ Hartley river cruiser that is a lot roomier than our last jobbie. Hope to head off upriver this year. I thought you got wiser as you got older. Keep on keeping on you two.
Well well, I could feel it coming, and now it’s happened!! A boat to play with. What are you going to do with the caravan?..:)
Bro, I think it’s a great idea, for so many reasons. Just hope you don’t find it has a soggy bottom..:)
Some photos please!!!
ODB