Hotel Phoenix Ploiesti

... sa fie transformate fundamental. Pasunile si livezile de meri vor fi inlocuite cu campuri de sonde, gradinile vor fi taiate de retele din sarma ghimpata iar raurile, altadata limpezi, vor purta din acest moment si pentru totdeauna valurile de hidrocarburi.

Mai intai a fost Steaua Romana la 1895, apoi Astra Romana si Creditul Minier pe la 1910. Noile societati erau proprietare a sute de mii de hectare de teren si au concesionat de la tanarul stat roman ...

... their legs to the sounds of the band. They had a number of different costumes from different regions of the country. We had a huge plate full of spreads, cheese, cold meats and veggies to go with copious fresh bread rolls. Afterward, when we were all full, our main course came, and luckily it was unlike the main course we might have in Canada. It consisted of only the item on the menu, and so we were almost able to eat all of it. Our two hosts ...

Today is Sunday. I overslept and my colleagues had already headed off into the mountains before I woke up. (I'd said not to disturb me if I wasn't at breakfast). This was my first day off when the sun has actually shone. Still cold but at least it's not pouring with rain for a change. I strolled around for about 10kms according to my GPS. Here are a few snapshots I took on my wanderings through the town behind my hotel.

... he demonstrated the high technology levels of his seminar and lecture rooms, interactive white boards and brand new facilities are all available for students. Having spent time with Leonardo, we were introduced to Marinela's boss, the head of the Physics department and Vice President of the University; the Rotarian Professor Calin Oros. We were also greeted by the next president of Targoviste Rotary Club. Calin ...

... up Mihai Serbanescu, a Director at the Arts College (Scoala de Arta). But before the market we drove past the military base where Ceausescu was executed. He fled to Targoviste from Bucharest via his palace on Brasov Lake,and was held in the Military base. There was serious fighting for a few days, between troops still loyal to Ceausescu and the rest of the army. It was so bad that the residents of Targoviste were instructed ...

... a month. My first impressions of Romania and of Hungarian Romanians are of great determination, warmth, optimisim, humour, and the most generous hospitality I have ever experienced. The darkness of the weather seemed to be a fitting match to how we feel to be leaving. We all look forward to seeing you very soon. In England we have a saying "That every cloud has a silver lining" - there's always good news behind bad, and today was also the case as we were ...

It seems that I become a traveler. I am away from home relatively often, which is great, as I like new places and new sights.
I usually travel by train, where I can see lots of interesting things during my journeys.

Here it is my latest travel-company...

He/She was sitting calmly on the seat during the journey, no barking...
I noticed him/her only after 2 hours, as I changed my sitting position.
I suppose he/she had a ticket :-)

... worth it for what is among Wallachia's most intriguing sites. Plenty of Dracula-related information and paraphernelia adorns the on-site museum (housed in the tower), so it's a great stop for Vlad-hunters. There are a number of other museums about - a county history museum, an art museum (still in the making), a Romanian writers' museum and even a museum dedicated to Romanian police (!?). Overall though, the information I had about each didn't draw me ...

... grimy-seaweed-green statues (an erect woman, Poseidon with his triton, Attila?) gave me shivers when I felt their girth minus the sky. A building long like an enormous train station dazzled with its Gothic blue-and-mustard facade carrying thin prongs, pointy windows, and gargoyle-esque windowboxes. The city's light-sandy shopping streets and low, wide, hidden-away balconies and plazas with statues were old but progressing with the times. And Budapest was ...

... 46 different kinds of wood were used for the interior decorations! Each room is done in the style of a different historical period: there's a German Renaissance room, a French Neo-Classical room, an Arabic room, etc. The detailing on everything is incredible, it's too much to take all in during a mere half-hour tour! Just to imagine living in a place like that boggles the mind. And it was only the summer residence ...