Our excitement at leaving was tempered by the news that one of us fell victim to the notorious broken footpaths that are a hazard in this city. His knee was badly swollen and Ross would travel in the support vehicle.
On a most pleasant morning we ventured onto the quiet Bucharest roads and rode north. Apartment blocks gave way to wheat and sunflower fields. We began to see many roadside stalls, at first selling the biggest eggplants, tomatoes, capsicums, onions and watermelons to be then replaced by varieties of apples, pears and peaches. Blackberries were offered in small buckets or re-cycled containers. Also what looked like bottles of cordial or fruit syrup sat on upturned crates. The land obviously supported healthy agriculture.
I noted that this country, or at least the part we had seen so far, was firmly Eastern Orthodox. Unlike our Balkans experience, as yet there was not a minaret to be seen.
We avoided various hazards...wandering cattle, ambling carts pulled by horses, locals walking casually on the road and just expecting to be missed by the traffic. After leaving the fertile plains we then started climbing the green and lush Carpathian Mountains. Uneven road surfaces kept the riders on their toes.
We had read beforehand that the supposed “ castle of Dracula” was a falsehood but an incredible tourist trap. And so it turned out to be. Ridiculous vehicle and pedestrian traffic greeted us upon arrival. Fortunately bikes were parked conveniently and we made our way to a quiet restaurant at the base of the castle and away from the crowds. Against better judgement we trudged to the top of the peak and joined the queue to get in...and the queue to see anything in the castle and the queue to get out. Experiencing Romanians enjoying their long weekend.
Leaving Bran Castle we negotiated more busy roads to reach Brasov 20kms later.
Our guide Nicko took us on a walking tour of the old town, a major trading town for centuries, before
another lovely meal. K
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