We awoke on our first morning in Romania to incredible sunshine poking through the trees of our campsite. After our normal routine of coffee and tea we headed eastwards once more to Camping Dracula near the Transfagarasan Highway. The route was fairly simple and Google maps was our friend once again, although we did take a few wrong turns when we lost data.
Probably the most notable event of the day was the “main road” to the the highway. This was Stan’s first off road test as it was all large gravel and mud over winding bends and ups and downs. We drove as carefully as we could on the loose stone, rattling our bones along the way until we reached a short but very steep uphill section. Revving the engine we gunned it up at hill…. Only for one of Stan’s front tyres to slip in the gravel into a rather large gravel dip in the road. Never fear though as Team Yes We Khan are not put off that easily. Rolling back down the hill (in a controlled way of course) and tried once more. Success! Although several warning lights flashed up we kept going until we reached the top. It felt great! The road continued with gravel for the final 15km before we joined tarmac once more. Although not a very good road it did lead us off the motorways we have been accustomed to and let us see the real Romania. Little villages full of potholes, stray dogs laying in the road, farmers with sithes, old ladies with their headscarves and some horse and buggies. It was brilliant.
Upon arriving sometime later at Camping Dracula (a campsite we chose solely based on its name) we paid a grand total of about £13 for our van and 3 tent spot among the valley trees, we got ready to hike up to an epic looking fortress looming on the hill of the valley. Only to be told it was closed due to wild bears being spotted there today. That made us worry a bit. Wild bears? Roaming free within a kilometer of our campsite? Seeing the concerned looks on our faces the campsite owner assured us our camping field would be fine as it had an electric fence around it. Phew!!
So rather than head up to the fortress we decided to head to the famous Transfagarasan Highway a little early. We drove through winding country bends and over hills and past stunning lakes in what has to be one of the best drives in the world. What made the journey even more special is that we came across a wild bear on the road. Just out of nowhere he seemed to emerge from a roadside bush and stop and look at us. We were so close and it was an incredible moment that we were so fortunate to experience!
The afternoon just got better and better after that as we reached the top of the mountain and looked down on the tranfagarasan highway snaking through the lush green countryside below. Another incredible experience we will never forget!
The next stop was the a incredibly high up dam with a beautiful lake which lit up at sunset before making our way slowly back to the campsite whilst keeping an eye out for more bears!
Team Yes We Khan 