Have cycled from Vienna, through Slovakia (Bratislava), Hungary (Budapest) and arrived in Romania yesterday. Today is a rest and tomorrow Peter will be flying in from England to join us.
Left 'civilized' Europe after Vienna, Eastern Europe is great, more calm & relaxed, people here friendly and down to earth, a great place for both locals and tourists. really enjoyed Bratislava, capital city of Slovakia, easy sit down for a drink on relaxed walking streets of the old town - service with a smile - fine buildings and all good feng-shui kinda feel to the place.
Budapest - beautiful city spread on each side of the wide Danube river - lots of old buildings majestically on hills, palaces, cathedrals, statues - fine river view - left Danube and now using normal roads. Haven't knocked over a motorist yet, they quite careful, so good. Great cycling heading through Hungary & it's hot and sunshine most of the time. I went to check out a naturalist camp-site (spent ages riding along a remote trail) thinking it might be a nature reserve or something. Yes, to my surprise, everyone was naked as I entered the camp-site gates. I was about to ride my bike around the whole place, looking for a suitable pitch to plant my tent poles, when the nice reception girl came, asking if I was a keen on naturalism. Of course, i tried not to look at the reception girls breasts as we chatted innocently for ages. Yes, of course there's a bar, all you have to do is take all your clothes off and ask for a beer. now, this would have been a real giggle, a dare, something to remember the trip by, not something pervy (they were nice breasts). Alas, Keith couldn't be convinced (who waited outside). We had extra km's to do, bit of a shame, but i enjoyed my visit. would have liked to played the ladies volleyball team.
Romania - arrived yesterday, now in Timisoara - where the rebellion against "chew-ches-cow" began - fountains, parks, old town squares with faded white/yellow/green washed facades, looks great. nice and hot now, this place feels like SE Asia so far - long roads through agricultural areas, spacious towns spread out every 10km, good water, food stops and countryside restaurants. very friendly here - roads are better quality than English roads (so far), no pot holes, good motorists.
Another rest day tomorrow - cycling out to meet peter at airport - and its 4 good cycling to Brassov, a popular Romanian mountain resort with count Dracula's castle - parents will be there with some good Romanian friends at a hunting lodge in the hills - should be good fun, local hospitality and all. take care you all:)