Day 9
Baja Hungary to Sibiu Romania
306 Miles
Got going at 0550 as woke anyway and knew beast of a day ahead.
A quick walk and dip in the Danube then I'm on it like a tramp on hot chips.............
Hurtled through Hungary and crossed border to Romania at same place my trip came to a covid end 2 years ago.
That time I ended up being let out of Hungary but denied entry to Romania, so literally stuck between 2 states. I was homeless
Thankfully a bloke in a wooden hut selling toll cards etc acted as intermediary and got Hungary to let me back in.............despite being on a 24 hr waiver............a long story for another time............suffice to say my entry and exit stamps don't match. The joys of having more than one passport
Border guard was friendly as ever, when I greeted him. At a border as a mark of respect and politeness I always go engine and helmet off.
Ive long since learned that no matter how right you are.............you aint as right as the bloke with the entry stamp. I have a feeling this may well rear its head at the Turkish border..........we shall see.
In this case I must have used the Romanian term for “hi there, would you like to eat my turd by chance”
Miserable git, but stamp me he does, takes a copy of my V5 and off I blast into Caucescuville.
One of the things that strikes me in Romania and Hungary is the demarcation lines of westernisation, you can be on a poor A road, then come across the most amazing section of beautiful new tarmac; go through a village full of seemingly low earning people, then 200 metres later be surrounded by beautiful new appartments and Audi TTs and the like. It does make for a fascinating trip.
Anyway via some great new B roads and some not so great farm tracks I make it to Sibiu, which was an accidental find 4 years ago on way to the transfugarrassan pass made famous by top gear.
It’s as beautiful as I remember it. Last time I arrived on the day of their annual shindig. This year there are still events going on in the square including high wire acts.
They seem to do things much better than us, I think the weather is a factor for sure.
Lovely walk through this stunning town, and a visit to Liars Bridge. apparently so called because its where soldiers would take their girls prior to going on operations, and tell them they would be true to them until their return....... OK
This ritual is quickly followed by said soldier trying to get some operational Balls Deep Action somewhere...... it aint called Liars Bridge for nothing
I've managed to break my glasses somehow, (crap getting older eh), took them to get mended and they would not accept money or offer of coffee, nice people.
Roads today varied from excellent to literally pot holes farm tracks. Hideous at times and if I’m honest I should have took the highway. Stubborn bastard I am I cracked on with the scenic route.
Long day tomorrow, unfinished business on the trans alpina which I had to pull off early last time just prior to Bulgaria in order to get home, this time I’m pushing onto Sofia in Bulgaria.
Pics follow. Ooh and videos if I can get my shit in one pile.............
Ooh, had some more words of support too…..
