Well, my trip to Eastern Europe is over and I can "honestly" say it was fabulous, right boss-man?. . . I made new friends, had wonderful experiences, got lots of new bruises and aches and pains. . . Tasted absinthe and felt naughty doing it (it's illegal back home), sampled local beers and wines, and the food was incredible. Spent the night on a train with the girls in one compartment and the boys in the other. . . What an experience that was! We partied our way from Bucharest, Romania to Debrecen, Hungary! And ran like mad for train connections but we made it despite ourselves! We spent an amazing day in the Maramures area of Romania that I personally think was the highlight. Romania, for me, was the reason I took this trip. It was everything and more that I'd hoped for and the best part of the trip. The weather was incredible, the sky so blue it hurt your eyes, the colors so vivid. The flowers were in bloom and the air was fresh and clean. We did spend a terrifying day on a minibus with a driver from hell. . . Though he did get us back in one piece. I can't say much for the driving in Romania except. . . AHHHHHHH! I had several near death experiences!!! Unfortunately, we did witness the aftermath of a bicyclist vs. a reckless driver. . .sadly the outcome was dismal.
Another highlight of Romania was Cluj Napoca. We had a great night out tasting local beers and partying til 2 am (for the girls) or 5 am (for the boys)! Steve-o was ever bird-watching, though we tried to fix him up with the cute receptionist in Cluj, alas, we only spent one night there, never enough time! Well, always on to the next bird! And I don't think Steve was too impressed with the comfort of the beds, were you Steve-o?
And Brasov, what can I say about this lovely little town, except that they have noisy carpenters, right Anne? The surrounding countryside is beautiful. . . Though, why does everything have to be at the top of a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g staircase? It is, after all, the birthplace of the Count Dracula legend. We overdosed on castles that were glorious, accompanied by spectacular weather! We celebrated birthdays on the trip for Anne and Susan with a surprise after dinner, thanks to our fearless leader and some conniving on my part!
Then on to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, the seat of Parliament with wide, tree-covered boulevards that rival the Champs-Elysee! We spent hours wondering around the city in search of food. Anne, Steve and I finally discovered the Lipscani area that the Lonely Planet had recommended. Well, I won't rely on the Lonely Planet any more! Let's just say the concept of customer service has not reached Romania yet. Nothing like waiting 10 minutes for a menu only to have the waitress never come back. . . Or surly, frowning waitresses. . . Oh well, the beers were great! I can safely say that about most of the places we visited. We revisited Hungary to see what the local vineyards had to offer in Eger. And I must say it was superb! We spent an evening in the Valley of the Beautiful Women tasting the local wines and dining to live gypsy music! Another birthday celebration dinner for naughty Susan who secretly paid. . .Eger is known for it's red wines and I think will require a return trip sometime in the future. . .
From the warm days and cool nights of Eger to the still snow-covered trails of the High Tatras! They are magnificent! The High Tatras are to Slovakia what the Alps are to Western Europe. I hiked to the highest elevation I've ever been before. At the top was a beautiful mountain lake with a magnificent view and a cold beer. . . What more could a hiker ask for? We spent three nights in Poprad as our base. 
Day trips to the surrounding areas revealed a fabulous medieval walled city called Levoca and the spectacular castle at Spissky Podhradie called Spissky Hrad. Anne and I took the long way up, up and up. . . We circumnavigated the entire castle only to run down again at warp speed to try and catch the bus back to Poprad. It was our one day of striking out on our own and all in all it was a lovely day. From Slovakia we sped through Brno our first stop in the Czech Republic (I, personally, would like to return and explore more of Brno). Here we tasted absinthe and visited mummified Capuchin monks then sped on to the jewels of the Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov and Prague.
After an exhausting train, then bus (in the rain - our only real rain the entire trip), then train, then bus trip we finally arrived in Cesky Krumlov. And all they say about this place being the hidden crown jewel of the Czech Republic is true!!! I could have spent days getting lost in the cobbled alleys and exploring the little shops or lazing around the river. I tasted Becherovka, a cumin liqueur, and fell in love with it! The Czechs drink it as a kind of digestive aid. It's lovely after a gorgeous meal. I definitely will return to Cesky Krumlov!!!
As we moved farther north the weather became warmer and more humid thus we had the bus trip from HELL from Cesky Krumlov to Prague!!!! Four hours of heat, humidity and horrible driving combined to make my own personal hell!! But all was forgiven when we arrived in Prague. . . This city is fabulous! I only wish I had booked more time there. . .but I will be back!So, thanks guys, for making this a memorable trip for me. Thanks Jona for being a great leader and 'to be honest' a funny guy, Steve-o for your ever present bird-watching and beer tasting, Anne for the great companionship and giggling fests, Susan and Irene for spontaneous parties on the trains and nightcaps, Marie and Hugh for the wine and whiskey, Norman for the hat and somehow managing to spot it across the square in whatever city we happened to be in and Lindsay, what stories you have to tell. . . I hope you are all safe and well and continue traveling. . . Happy trails. . .
Here are a few more pictures from our trip. . .
Enjoying dinners together!
Happy Birthday Anne and Susan!!
Peles Castle, Romania and the High Tatras, Slovakia
Relaxing on the train. . .
Anne and me. . .
