Next day

  Rasnov, Romania
Saturday, November 1, 2008

Well,  I woke up a little arly but I felt there was much to do.  I had decided to visit the Palace of Peles so I went to the train station but I had difficulty figuring everything out...It looked like the next train was at 11 and it was only 9:30 now.  I changed my mind and decided to go back to Rasnov (a village near the Bran Castle).  I walked to the bus station just in time for the bus.  When we passed Rasnov, I missed the stop and got off again at Bran castle.

Castle Bran

It was fine because there was more to see than I had seen the first day and I was as taken by the castle even on a second day.

Castle Bran with secret entrance

I spent a good hour taking pictures and then I spent some time in the village.  I bought some souveneirs and then moved on.

I arrived at Rasnov on my way back.

Rasnov

I stopped and it turns out that the way up to the fortress is straight up the side of the mountain.  It was about a 20 minute walk and I was huffing and puffing but finally made it.

Fortress

It was incredible!!  a 15th century fortress built on top of the hill to protect the citizens from the invading saxons.

Carpatian Mountains

There is more to be said in pictures than i could describe, but, it was enchanting.  Meanwhile this is the ruins of a small city and there is much to explore.  There are few labels so it's mostly just poking around.  the views are also unbelievable.

After about 2 hours I hiked down the hill to wait for the bus.

Way up there

While waiting I met a nice girl from New Zealand.  She was taking a backpack trip through Eastern europe and she was very interesting.  We rode backl to Brasov together and I helped her to her bus stop.

I spent the evening laying low with just a few strolls through Transilvania for my last night.  I went back to my room exhausted.