Romania

Our second trip, A special trip to Bucharest for Rita's birthday. A new bed installed and a some racks in the bedroom / lounge to accommodate for early morning coffee and wash-up. First time across country borders, this will put to test the documentation of our vehicle.

Day one.

Just over an hour up to the Danube again, this time we cross the "bridge of friendship" .... took an hour, due to major repairs being done on the bridge. With a special vignette for Romainia we drove up to Bucharest. So note for another time! Not so smart to approach an unknown city at peak traffic time. After an hour driving around, on the "edge of wanting to escape" the chaos, we found a wifi hot spot at a LUK station. Now with maps in hand everything changed. We found a parking near the outskirts on the end of the metro line. Took the underground into town and enjoyed ourselves like little kids in a brand new play ground. ....

Bucharest is an amazing city, the atmosphere is tangent, as you walk past the quaint bistros and shops at the different Piata's, My favorite one Piata Unirii.

Back from town we took the van, drove around for a few city blocks and found another "spot" Our favorite in the cities is to find an apartment block which has un-allocated parking and find a spot amoungst the other vehicles. By the way the new bed is so much better.

Day two

One of our friends had mentioned the beautiful town of Sinaia "you must see it" Not having any other directive we looked it up and realized it would probably be worth the drive.

After a bit of driving a around the we took the road north. The take-away pork chops at Kaufland are to die for'

With a very late start and a slow drive up it was dark by the time we got to Sinaia... Finding a level spot in a mountain village has its challenges. After finding two open parking spots behind each other (long van) we had a good spot for the night. Being still a little early for bed we decided to "walk the town". Returning to the van came with a surprise... there were people and cars all around our van... A man was putting a little note under my wipers. When they realized we were the owners they all turned on us, the man explained that there was a yellow dot on the parking which signifies that the parking is paid and reserved for night time parking. With much apologies and "tails between our legs" we went searching for a "dot-less" parking.

Needless to say this could not be found, I guess there is a reason they have these "dotted parking's" after-all... so, although a little late, off we went towards the next town. Fortunately this town did not have the same problem.

We found a guest house along the road and decided that parking in-front would make us look like guests who had arrived late.

In the morning (when the picture was taken) it was cloudy and we had no idea we had slept so close to a majestic mountain range.

This was revealed about thirty minutes later when the weather changed and the clouds lifted.

Wow what an amazing surprise.

Day three

We continued north towards Brasov and soon came to the realization that this area deserved a proper "planned visit', not wanting to spoil it for the future we decided to return to Bucharest for a night and then probably head towards home.

Bucharest is special at this time of the year with all the leaves falling as the winter approaches.

This time we found an "Ideal spot" for the night, right in center of the city. (an "Ideal spot" is one you would easily come back to in the future)

Stealth "camping" is becoming a means of adding excitement to a trip. At first it was just a means of having affordable accommodation but it is now fast becoming the accommodation of choice and quality.

Day four

We knew the bridge would still be under construction so we looked for an alternative.....

A ferry across the river at Shivtov became the answer.

Never having done a car crossing by ferry in our live's we were in for a new experience. Well it worked out just perfect by 7pm that evening we were back on Bulgarian soil.

In Shivtov... having slept here on our previous trip we took on the challenge of getting an "ideal spot" ... It did not take long and we had it made.

Right next to the fountain in the town square with our backs to the wall of the restaurant that graciously fed us with free WIFI for the night. We had a meal too to say thank you.

Day five

We took the scenic route home meandering most of the day, getting home long after lunch time.

Once again we had reconfirmed it, a stealth van gives freedom of mobility that we have never exeperienced in any of our travels.

Already we were contemplating the next trip...

First things first, the lack of shower facilities needs to be addressed. Wet wipes only go so far.