Romanian Vacation: Part 5
After meeting up with our friends in Sibiu (check out part 4 of our travels) and spending the most magical day playing tourist, we decided one day was just NOT enough. And since we were so close to the Transfagarasan (a must see in Romania) and Lake Balea, we packed up 8 kids and 6 kids in three cars and took off on an adventure in the Romanian mountains.
I had been on this road before but for Ionut and Dani, this was their first time. The year before moving to the US, my family and I took a roadtrip across the entire country and we took the cable car. But for this time we actually drove most of it. It is the second-highest paved road in the country after the Transalpina, stretching 56 miles between the highest peaks in the country, Moldoveanu and Negoiu. Top Gear even did an episode on it, where they drove on the winding turns!
TIME FOR CORN ON THE COB
We first stopped halfway up the mountain for the kids to get corn on the cob from the street vendors, and stretch our legs. Then, noticing a fresh water spring nearby we all dipped our toes into the icy water, splashed around and let the kids run wild, like a bunch of mountain goats. The air was ice and thin but the sun was still warming us. It felt like we were on top of the world and it was just the halfway point. SURREAL.
AN UNEXPECTED HIKE
Driving to the end of the road, at Lake Balea proved harder than expected on a Saturday and we all collectively decided to pull over on the edge of a cliff, park our cars and take off on foot for the last five turns in the road. Mind you, I was wearing sandals and wide leg pants, freshly styled hair and ZERO plans to hike. BUT – when in Romania, do as the Romanians. I do not have photo evidence of said hike mostly because I was busy hyperventilating and putting curses on my group for tricking me into exercise. But then we got to the top and it was….. UNREAL.
BEARS, PASTA AND SORE LEGS
We enjoyed some chimney cake at the top, then started our descent only to be surprised by a sighting of ACTUAL REAL LIFE BEARS on the side of the road. Check out my TikTok on this day to get a sneak peek of the furry celebrities. Back in Sibiu, we all convened at our friends Lucian and Laura’s home for fresh gorgonzola pasta and ice cream. Dani and I eventually returned to the hotel room and crashed IMMEDIATELY.
The next day we returned home to Zalau, only to hop on the road again three days later, this time for Cluj! We stayed at a swanky hotel and I got to photograph clients around the most beautiful areas of Cluj! Stay tuned for more on that! In the meantime catch up on previous posts from Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of our trip!
So grateful for your patience as I interrupt my portraits and weddings postings in order to share my travel adventures! I love my country and I think more people should visit Romania. It’s entirely magical and worth seeing. I hope I’ve shown you a glimpse of that wonder and amazement we felt while there!
Till next time, my sweets!
XOXO,
Irina