Eastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria)

First bush-camp outside a small village (Borozel) in Romania.


Sunset in camp.









Another bush -camp by a lake near Kazanlak (near Shipka village). Snow capped mountain which we drove through (Shipka Pass).
Setting up camp at Kazanlak; Tim getting bbq ready. So far on trip, if we not eat like kings, we certainly eat like lords. Every night was different. Photo of an unusual orthodox church at the other side of Shipka Pass.
Snowing at Shipka Pass, Bulgaria.






Photos taken at the Monastery at Grabrovo, just before assending Shipka Pass, Dryanovo Monastery (1876 up-rising centre). Stream flowing through the monastery.


The buildings are well preserved. Slate (rocks really) roof - must have strong roof structures.




It was cold at the monastery; stopped to visit and had lunch by roadside.




Some pictures taken from Bucharest.

Having a coffee break in Cismigiu Garden - not too far from the Revolution Square.
There are plenty of museums. The above is another example of fine architecture of the old.

A monument for the Aviators in the middle of one of the highways in Bucharest. One of the streets leading to this monument have fine achitecture.


The huge park behind the marble arch is worth visiting. (Just one little issue I have with the parks and gardens is that they don't mow the lawns.) The musical bells at the entrance to the park at the Marble arch is worth listening to. It plays a tune every seven and a half minutes - Christmas carols and pop musics. The park is really serene and one end of it is a popular venue for activities such Bigwalk competition. Stray dogs are all over Bucharest and the parks are no exception.
The Marble Arch is obvious a French influence. The flags tell it is Romania.


One visits Revolution Square not for its old architecture as there aren't that many. It is obviously an important square in terms of modern Romanian political history. Nicholae Ceausescu made his last speech there and apparent executed there as well. The sculpture (I don't know what it represents) - looks like several arms - commemorated the revolution.

The picture shows an exclusive restaurant (in the old town) the group went to for dinner. The building is an historic building converted to a restaurant. It retains the old relics of the past.

Near by is an old orthodox church. It is worth visiting and look at the old frescoes. I fear it they are not preserved, in the near future these frescoes will all disappear, if not thru tourists, the weather would. As Romania gets more accessible, tourist numbers will certainly increase.

The picture shows a road in the old town being ripped up for reconstruction. The digging revealed catacombs - one could spend hours looking at them. Locals were wonder what I was looking at.

The massive Romanian Parliement - the second largest building, only surpass by the Pentagon. Quite a modern building built by Nicholae Ceausescu.

Arrival at Bucharest camping ground - Camp Casa Alba

The infamous Dracula Castle - where the story was based on.

Tim preparing yet another bbq at another bush camp.

Another bush camp - about 20km out Singhisoara, en route to Brasov.

Pictures taken in Singhisoara. The yellow building (a queue of people standing outside) is where the real Dracula was born. Pictures of two of the twelve towers of Singhisoara.