To strike automobile race on roads of Romania have solved for the several reasons: first, the unique novel nearby country former socialist lageja (in the others already were though and as passengers), secondly, an uncertain situation with new passports (will be in time or will not be in time), and thirdly, the material «Transylvania - on a visit at Drakuly» where the basic sights of a mountain part of Romania are in detail enough described has very much liked. The short report on autotravel which will allow to add the information on the country, and after proprocession more low is offered 4th years.
The car – Nissan Almera (2004). Crew family, burdened with one big (the daughter of 19 years) and one small (the son of 9 years) rebenkami. Considering last circumstance have decided to lodge in hotel in the centre of Transylvania and already from it to carry out fan trips to local sights.
New passports (already having lost any hope) the document »literally 4 days prior to extreme date of possible departure (holidays and a vacation approached the end) was possible to receive in« Resources. Urgent visas have issued through tour agency UkrRom within two working days. Have used the offered same firm hotel «Piatra Mare ****» in resort small town Pojana Brashov (15 km from Brashov, at height of 1000 m above sea level). The hotel corresponds to the asterisks for which it was necessary to lay out on 30 euros from the person for days in a double room (with a breakfast, but «without the bathing right in pool»). Discounts for the younger child are not present. Three-stars hotels in the same small town too at level, but, considering deficiency of time, have without hesitation agreed with a variant offered by tour agency.
Kiev have left on August, 22nd with a stop in Chernovtsy. A lodging for the night in "CHeremoshe" (290 grn for a place in a double room with a satisfactory breakfast) and a supper in Knause (200 grn). Next day, in 7.00 mornings, not having waited a breakfast (submit only from 8.00 till) have moved towards border. The car have certainly washed (a round-the-clock sink is near to hotel). «House benzinchik» А-95 Premium from Lukoil it has appeared disgusting and persistently reminded of itself on the Romanian streamers. Added in a tank next day the Romanian Euro-4, has simply reanimated the unfortunate engine. Border have crossed in 8 o'clock in the morning, without the turns, surprised with the kind relation (literally) from the party both our frontier guards and customs officers, and corresponding services of Romania. The payment for roads has made 10 dollars (to pay it is possible in dollars, euro and Romanian lejah).
Further strictly following recommendations, pocherpnutym from the autotravel description «… on a visit at Drakuly», dvinulit towards Brashov. The first short stop in to Suceava where have got a map of Romania and where there was the most favourable exchange rate of dollar (1 dollar = 2,41 leja). The exchange is made necessarily with a passport presentation.
Road on all extent in a good condition. Carts still are present on "motorways" but to movement strongly did not stir. Much more inconveniences delivered trailers, especially at movement on streamers. Restrictions of speed are necessary for observing: it is a lot of police posts. Romanians certainly exceed speed, but probably know where to wait an ambush, therefore foreign numbers had the majority of victims of the radar control. In cities through which followed transit, indexes in the necessary direction with the lorry image, persistently withdrew from the centre. Few times, having got, thus, on «district road» have recollected native holes and potholes. So it is better to move through the centre. The bright impression was left by the Romanian streamers which it was necessary to meet from first day: long enough liftings and descents with abrupt bends. The truth a good road covering allows to move easy and without pressure.
Considering absence of experience of "foreign" driving, restriction of speed and necessity of overcoming of streamers, on a place were only at 20.00. With walk across Suceava, a dinner in roadside cafe and short stops for rest, the road from border to pojana has occupied Brashov 12 hours. Road to a good condition. Within the next 9 days the program was the extremely sated. One "day off" have allocated only to the lady and the younger child.
Already on following, after arrival, day have made excursion on associates pojana Brashov to mountains, having risen in a telecabin on height of 1700 m. At once it is possible to notice, that liftings in cabins, visiting of museums, locks and other places of pilgrimage of tourists manage from 10 to 20 leev from the person (1 dollar = 2,3 leja). For children and students of the discount.
Then have visited lock Bran and a museum close to the lock «Pirogovo in Romania». Despite the loud name "lock Drakuly", about the last in the lock reminds nothing. The interesting architecture, the confused courses, the pleasant interior decorated with photos of princess Maria, have left pleasant impression about excursion. Absence of traces Drakuly in the lock compensated visiting atraktsiona «13 rooms of fear». Children were afraid on the present. Certainly, a lot of time has been given the souvenir market.
Have risen in a fortress in Ryshnove. Road has washed away, therefore before the top parking, that near the fortress to reach it was not possible (the car have left halfway). In a fortress the part of fortifications that allows to present in any measure architecture of a construction in a complex is restored, but half of territory waits for restoration. Have especially amazed fortresses opening from walls kinds on surrounding mountains and a city.
One more day have devoted to palaces Pelesh and Peleshor in Sinai, and as to the Sinai monastery (to Sinais about one hour of a way either through Brashov, or through Ryshnov). Pelesh it is magnificent. Really royal palace. While, as before, excursion is spent only on one floor. Peleshor incomparably more modestly also reminds hotel for the important visitors, but with «conveniences on a floor». Actually for this purpose it and basically has been intended.
Have gone in Sigishoara. A medieval city in which people in houses continue to live, age of several hundreds years. And, considering scope of repair work of a waterpipe and sewer system, anybody anywhere to move is not going to.
Some times walked across Brashov (15 km from our hotel, the truth on a streamer) and even have risen on rope on a survey platform (900 m above sea level). In Brashov, on Sunday, "have got" with exchange under the classical scheme: instead of 238 leev for 100 dollars have received 203 leja. All know, but periodically forget. And we did not become an exception. Necessarily ask a real course in the given exchange office. And on a signboard, it appears, the course of National bank of Romania has been specified.
Not looking at scale repair of a road covering, have decided to go to Sibiu (the road one way has occupied 4 hours). A surprising city! The historical centre is not bad restored. There are all "attributes" of an old city: the areas, streets and small streets, churches various kofessy, amusing houses and fragments of fortifications. It is a pity, that time wasted in a way has not allowed to visit the well-known museums in Romania.
One more interesting place where we managed to get - sacred Anna's lake. The high-mountainous lake surrounded with wood has amazed all participants of expedition. The road has suffered during rains, but to our measures quite tolerable a little. In vicinities of lake there is not enough civilisation also there are the pedestrian tourist routes for fans of green tourism.
Because of non-flying weather we have cancelled the planned lifting on 2000 metres in vicinities Sinais, but, rising by the car (in clouds and a fog), to intermediate station of a rope-way (Cota), on height of 1400 metres, have met the present bear. Have fed to it all stock of fruitcakes and cookies then the grateful animal has left some traces of forepaws (fortunately without dents and scratches) by the car. In the past, the bear, possibly, was manual, and now begs, effectively leaving wood on mountain road and calling a storm of delight at autotourists.
The way back has occupied little bit less time. Border have crossed on 2nd of September at 21.00 without any problems and turns, not leaving from the car. After a lodging for the night and a breakfast (enters into cost) in CHeremoshe, have gone to Kiev through Starokonstantinov. The road from Khmelnitskiy to Zhitomir was practically empty, therefore have reached easily and quickly. Have refuelled on WOGе good А95. The general kilometric area - 3197 km.
Trip remained are happy all. The prices for a food and residing to the European measures while the moderated. Service comprehensible. Romanians try to return in the country of the tourists frightened in the past, therefore are polite, kind and gradually master English language. And the main thing – the most beautiful mountains, amazing kinds, locks, fortresses, medieval cities! And all it is rather close from Brashov, within one day of a trip that allows to combine rest in comfortable conditions with excursions.