This would be a relaxing day. This was the reason why we didn’t woke up by the alarm clock. Around 9.30mm we were having coffee with pancakes (clatita) watching the lake Vidraru. We‘re only a few kilometres away from the dam, so at noon we started heading towards there. The way is very interesting and full of green. Reaching the dam we saw a lot of tourists taking photographs and enjoying the view. So we did. From a plate we were informed about several issues concerning the lake and the dam.
Afterwards we continued our route above the dam and entered in a small tunnel. The way from there and beyond passes through a gorge. The landscape becomes more impressive! The situation of street is mediocre but fortunately with less patches. We covered roughly 5km when we found ourselves at the point under the rock of Cetatea Poienari, the real castle of Vlad Tepes - Dracula. This is the castle that was build by his Turkish captives. Looking up to the hill, one can immediately understand its strategic place. To visit the castle you have to climb up 1.500 steps (roughly 2 hours).The day was very hot and we were rather tired. So we preferred enjoying the view from a terrace, drinking a cup of coffee.
After a short stop we followed the way along the river. The green of the landscape started decreasing progressively. In Corbeni - the first village that we met - one can be provided with a list of the region’s pensiune by the office of tourist information. Many of them do not have any signs and it is difficult to recognize. Anyway, in this and in the following two villages there are a lot of them, contrary to the way we rode until now. Generally in summer period Transfagarasan way is a must for locals and foreigners. So be careful and make early reservations otherwise it could be a nightmare to find a room. From Corbeni and on the way was somehow monotonous.
The temperature was increasing rapidly. We covered 18km up to Curtea Slow, a city with rich revolutionary history. We continued for Pitesti riding 38km on relatively good situation street. After Pitesti we took the motorway E81 for Bucuresti. The heat was intolerable both on the way and in the entrance of the capital. Without any other delay we directed immediately to the hostel Lucky House. The householders were waiting for us since we had made reservation roughly 2 days earlier. As soon as we reached we arranged our stuff and had a shower.
In the afternoon we went for food in the best restaurant of my personal opinion "La mama". A great surprise was waiting for me there! I met two of my former co-students: Emilian and Monica. They are married now. We discussed for long… We exchanged telephones and emails in order to keep in touch.
At 10mm we returned back in our hostel were we made some company with our householders. We stayed up to late describing our travel in Romania. Doru offered us 3 bottles of tuica, the traditional drink of Romanians... He was very kind. Once more he proved the Romanian hospitality…
Last day… 21.7.2007
It is time for us to return back home in Greece. We saluted Dana and Doru so cordial as if we knew each other for years. I remember their last words: "… next time you visit Romania, you come in us as friends and not as customers..." They really moved us. We invited them in Greece. Around 1mm we were riding the last kilometres on Rumanian territory under the hot summer sun...
In my opinion, Romania is the most beautiful destination of Balkans and one of the more beautiful of Europe. It combines characteristics of central and Eastern Europe. Romania has impressive natural wealth, very beautiful mountainous roads, lakes and waterfalls. Many castles, fortresses and monasteries are ornaments for the country. A lot of cities allocate historical centres that make the mind travel in other epochs. The people- mainly in the province - is hospitable and willing to help in case of need. Apart the road network –which is under reconstruction and maintenance - Romania is an exceptional European destination. I personally believe that it is one of the best motorcyclists’ destinations.
