Astra Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization

We took buses to explore outdoor at the Astra Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization and strolled via its 96 hectares land hosting over 300 authentic village houses and structures most of which can be entered and explored. Most of the buildings were transported from various areas around the Romanian countryside and reconstructed at the museum. We saw Quaint wooden churches, windmills, watermills, and two lakes. Different areas are devoted to pottery and crafts, fishing, sheep breeding, mining, carpentry (and many other professions) to show what a traditional workshop for those occupations looked like, and get a glimpse into peasant life. — checked in to Astra Museum with Alejandro Pérez and Berit Lehr.

food in Sibiu

We dropped the plan to hike the Heros cross in Sinaia due to the close of cable car and thunderstorms, and took train to Sibiu today. We walked around town and finally found a good Romania restaurant. I ordered chicken noodle soup, sausage, and stir-fired mushrooms for only $7.34. I got local coke and ice cream for the group from the supermarket, and we also shared a cheap beer at the hostel which we will never tried again. — eating Romanian cuisine at Crama Sibiul Vechi.   We headed out for dessert after dinner, and I tried Papanași, a Romanian traditional fried or boiled pastry resembling a small sphere, usually filled with a soft cheese such as urdă and any kind of sour jam (only $1.6 per piece). The word papanași may come from the Latin papa or pappa, which means "food for children," yet adults love it as well. I then took some light shots of Sibiu. — checked in to DELIS Restaurant.

Sibiu old Town

Sibiu is one of Romania's cultural and tourism capitals, attracting tourists due to its wonderful medieval charm, excellent views of the surrounding landscapes, and great food. Since there is no free walking tour, I walked around the old town on my own. This old medieval town has buildings built by German settlers and merchants who came to Sibiu in the late Middle Ages and streets peppered with small, secluded lanes, corner cafes and wonderful churches. — checked in to Sibiu, Romania.

Ocna Sibiului Salt Lakes

We four went to Ocna Sibiului to enjoy the rejuvenating effects of Romania’s salt lakes (11 in total) while relaxing in the sun. The salt lakes are a product of abandoned salt mines back as the 1700’s. The opacity of the water also creates a great heliothermic effect, meaning that the water traps the sun’s heat leaving the water a comfortably warm temperature and keep our bodies floating. People come to the salt lakes to treat arthritis and cover with mud to smoothen their skin. After we came back to the hostel, I cook ginger chicken with red pepper and cabbage with fried noodles for the group. — checked in to Ocna Sibiului with Alejandro Pérez and Berit Lehr.

7 Stairs Canyon near Brasov

Six of us from the hostel shared taxi to hike the 7 Stairs Canyon (or Seven Ladders Canyon) in Piatra Mare Mountains, a major attraction near Brasov. The stairs are steep and really close to the waterfalls to be scary yet refreshing to climb with water splashing on you. 3 of us finished the 3-hr hike, and the other 3 ventured further for more views (but did not find different views). I was in the early returned group and we luckily found a ride back to Brasov with a kind and well-travel Rumanian family visiting Brasov. I took the photo of a naked body (not sure Romanian or not) in the forest, which is quite unexpected in such a conservative country. I got the ingredients from the supermarket and cook myself stir-fired lattice and egg/cheese supergatti for dinner. — checked in to Canionul Sapte Scari with Alejandro Pérez and 4 others.

Ride on Transfăgărășan Highway, Romainia

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A group of 4 of us got a rental car to ride the transfagarasan highway. We discovered the highest mountains of Romania- Fagaras Mountains- also known as Transylvanian Alps. We crossed the Land of Fagaras and followed the alpine road that passes through Fagaras Mountains (the highest mountains in Romania - Moldoveanu peak - 2544 meters). We saw the Balea Waterfall, ate lunch in a restaurant next to the beautiful glacial lake, Balea Lake, and crossed the longest road tunnel in Romania (887 m length ), and drove via a cow down (farmers walked cows on leashes). One traveler in another hostel paid Active Romania 55€ to do the tour, our hostel charge 30€ per person (minimum 4 people) for the tour, while each of us only paid 17€ to share the rental car and gasoline.  

Black Church Concert. Brasov Romania

The Black Church in the centre of Brasov was built during the 14 - 15th century: 89m long, 38m wide and 42m high. From the two towers planned, only one was built, a 65m high one. Due to the walls blackened by the fire the church became to be known as the Black Church. The restoration work was difficult because of the frequent earthquakes and lasted almost 100 years and resulted in a mostly Baroqueinterior. Many concerts are held on the 3993 pipes and 76 registers Buchholz mechanical organ, the greatest in south-eastern Europe and the only one so well preserved. I attended a classic concert tonight, and enjoyed the uplifting power of the organ. 

The Black Church exhibits the richest collection of Anatolian carpets in all Europe, from the 16th and 18th centuries. On the way to the concert, I got two cheese samples (225g each) from the same company yet different kind from yesterday's. After the concert, I bought Romanian instant noodles cooked with eggs and cucumbers for dinner paired with local beers.

 — checked in to The Black Church.

Bran Castle & Fortress Rasnov, Romania

Three of us planned to visit fortified churches, yet misdirected to the wrong bus station and went to Bran castle instead. Bran Castle is commonly referred to as "Dracula's Castle". However, the alleged vampire Vlad Tepes never called that castle home, and it is unknown whether he even visited. The exterior of the castle is truly impressive. The ticket line was too long for weekends and we heard it is a bit of a disappointment inside, so we skipped the inside and has fun with the garden, cat shows, and gift shops. — checked in to Bran Castle.

The fortress Rasnov nearby Bran Castle is also interesting with fewer crowds. It has been reasonably reconstructed. The old fortress was built in the 14th century by the local Saxons to protect them from invaders and protect the Burtzenland's south eastern border. It offers a breathtaking view as it is located on a big hill. — checked in to Rasnov.

Brasov, Romania

I took a 2.5 hours free walking tour of Brașov which is a mountain resort city. The tour covered Black Church, Council Square, Rope Street, St. Nicholas Church, The Citadel’s Walls, Schei Quarter, Ecaterina’s Gate, the black tower, etc. As some people say, "Why bother coming to Romania if you're not going to see Braşov?" Btw, I got two bags of 260g cheese samplers on the busiest street. — checked in to Brasov, Romania.

Sinaia, Romania

I stopped over Sinaia on my way to Brasov to check out this one of Romania's finest holiday resorts, located deep into the Carpathian Mountains. In the late 19th century King Charles I of Romania chose Sinaia as his summer residence and built the fabulous Peles Castle, which is today the city's best known landmark. The interior is dense with rich and intricately carved wood, complete with hidden passages, foreign thematic rooms, and a captivating ancient weapons collection from around the globe. I met two Romania ladies who guided me to Sinaia Monastery which has a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania and an interesting collection of icons. 

The train station stopped lockers for luggages, so I left my big bag at the mini train museum next door (~ 2€ admission), which is closer than the a hotel charging the same fee. — checked in to Sinaia.

Bucharest, Romania

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I missed the 10:30 am walking tour, so I toured on my own. It was a long walk to the Palace of Parliament, the world's biggest parliamentary building (a folly and testament to the megalomania of former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and a display of Romanian materials and engineering). I did not get in since I left my passport at the hostel. I strolled in the lovely botanic gardens and the relaxing Cișmigiu Park, and checked out some historical churches. — checked in to Palace of the Parliament.

 

I took the free walking tour at 6 pm, which covered history around the Stavropoleos Convent, Ruins of Vlad’s Citadel, Manuc’s Inn, Revolution Spots, Victory Blvd, etc. Bucharest is a booming city with many large infrastructure projects changing the old face of the city, although it was known in the past as "The Little Paris." Like other Balkans countries, protests are common here, and I saw one on my way back to hostel. — checked in to Parc Unirii.