Good evening from Brașov

As nice as yesterday ended, day nine of our trip got off to a bad start. It was about three o’clock in the morning when Regine suddenly asked me if we had anything for diarrhea. 😳 Fortunately, we had Imodium® acute with us, but it didn’t work at all at first. The night turned into day – and Regine spent more time on the loo than in bed. Poor thing!

Our original plans for today: visit the “seven ladders”, gondola up the Brașov “mountain” with the Telecabina Tâmpa and inspect the “peasant castle” in Râșnov. Sporty and tightly timed. Given Regine’s condition, that was out of the question! In the morning, I asked our host in Săcele when we had to check out – given the current situation. Meanwhile, Regine fell asleep again – no wonder! Diarrhea is really exhausting and she didn’t sleep much either. Luckily we were allowed to stay an hour longer – until 1pm. I used the time to look for accommodation in Brașov. As everything is quite close together here, I found something. Only about 20 minutes by car – is that feasible? You’re not likely to find a toilet on the road on a Sunday. So we hit the potty again and set off on the wild ride to Brașov to a new development area. We stopped at a pharmacy – crap, it’s Sunday, it’s closed! (somehow we lose track of time on vacation!). Nevertheless, the pharmacies here all have a green, frantically flashing LED sign. You can’t miss them! We thought: If it’s lit up, it’s open. But that’s not the case here.

Arrived at the finish line! Regine looks tired – but apparently the pressure is still bearable. We should still make sure we get to the apartment quickly. When we arrived, another WhatsApp message arrived from the landlord. The key is in the key box – PIN code: 0000. Haven’t we had this before? 😳

Okay, we’re in the house, have the key, know which floor and are now faced with the question: which apartment is it? 🧐 Hopefully Regine can hold out, she’s already sitting on the stairs all sad again. 🥺 But five minutes later we were relieved to find out which apartment we could move into. Everything is brand new here, really great! While Regine was “letting off steam” in the toilet again, I looked to see which program would make sense for me. Well, everything is stupid on your own anyway, but I didn’t want to stay in the apartment all afternoon (when Regine is recovering and sleeping). The plan was quickly decided: I would go up the mountain alone! Regine had been “treated” and was asleep again – off we went!

However, that wasn’t so easy either. Brașov has over 230,000 inhabitants, which makes it a large city. The traffic here – a disaster! Three-lane traffic circles and Romanians who drive like there’s no tomorrow scared the Vitara and me. But we bravely fought our way to the chosen parking lot. *chakka* However, there was nothing free here! So we asked the clever internet where to park. “One of the best options is to park near Strada Castelului or Strada Nicolae Bălcescu. Both streets offer good parking options” – says Google. Okay, let’s go then. I went straight to the first suggestion and hit the jackpot. That was nothing. To cut a long story short, it took me an hour to fold the Vitara very small (side mirror) in some side street – it fit there. Just about. It’s a good thing it’s so small! 🤗

But now – off to the valley station of the gondola. I want to show you some impressions of this great city. Think again doll! I thought I was going to fall off the wagon when I saw the queue there. I’ll be queuing for ages! Nope – sorry! No pictures then. Good night from Brașov!

Conclusion: You don’t seriously think that’s it, do you? You’ve been had! 🤪

“So no gondola ride today!” I thought to myself. Well, at least something to eat then. I treated myself to a hot dog – nothing fancy but very tasty. I sat on the bench and looked around the area, checked back home to see if everything was okay and found out: Donnerlüttchen! It was already 4:30 pm. The last gondola goes up at 5pm and down again at 6pm. Maybe I should have another look?

And lo and behold: only a few people in front of the little house. However, the house is high and wide and there are still far too many people inside. Anyway, let’s try! At 17:15 I was finally standing in the gondola. It was packed, by the way – but not many people could fit in. The ride takes about two minutes and if you’re in the right seat, you’re sure to see something. But I thought to myself: you have the best view from the top anyway, so what the hell. And that’s how it was. From the top station, it’s about 500 meters on foot to the “Brasov” sign, which is a little reminiscent of the Hollywood Sign. The view from here is gigantic. But it goes a little further up and then you find yourself at Vârful Tâmpa. At this point, the altitude is 960 meters above zero.

Time was running out. After all, the last gondola leaves at 6pm. But luckily I still managed to get a few quick copter shots.
I made my way back to the top station at a crawl and arrived just in time for the last gondola, which was only half full. Back in the valley, I treated myself to a huge pancake with Nutella and had a cappuccino and a look around the city center.

But to make sure Regine still gets her bananas, pretzel sticks, crispbread, tea and rusks, I urgently need to go shopping. After all, the stores here are open on Sundays, but they close at 8pm. So I declare sightseeing over and activate “men’s shopping mode”.

And so the day ends with a few nice impressions after all. But what happens next? Do we have to break off and go home or will Regine feel better again tomorrow? 🍀

Conclusion: Brașov really has a lot to offer! However, it is a big city and again not at all like ours. But the “Gondola Hill” is impressive and if you have enough time, you can also go hiking in the countryside. The 7 ladders are definitely another great experience. But hey: postponed doesn’t mean canceled! 😃