Romania For A Night - Bucharest

 

Having missed my flight from Budapest to Istanbul, I make plans to take a detour to Bucharest for the night.

                                                                                                                                       It is still daylight as we board a Tarom ATR, commuter airplane on the airport ramp at Budapest.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                 The sun sets during our one and a half hour flight and I take advantage of this with a power nap.

 

 

 

Recharged, we land at Bucharest (OTP) airport around 10PM. I set my watch one hour ahead of Budapest time. Inquiring about a map and bus service to the city centre at The Airport Info Desk I  am told “Sorry, no map but take Bus 783 downstairs”.

 

Soon Bus 780 arrives and a waiting Romanian family advises me to take this one then helps me purchase my ticket.

 

 

 

I am informed that there are nice affordable hotels near Gara de Nord (North Railway Station) and once on the bus I am told jokingly to just “Follow , the leader, leader”. They will make sure I am pointed in the right direction.

 

A 45 minute bus ride and I check into Hello Hotel around 11:30PM.

 

 

 

 

For E$30 my room is very nice, an upgrade from Budapest but no “Bat Phone”.

In Room Internet and Breakfast are available for an extra charge.

 

Old Town, Lipscani is a LE$10 cab fare from Hello Hotel and I am dropped off at Carul cu bere a highly recommended Romanian restaurant.  Unfortunately, it is past midnight and the kitchen is closed for the evening.

 

However, there are still many other dining options available near by and I end up at Bundetot where I join a line of customers waiting to place their orders.

 

 

With the assistance of a Romanian speaking couple from Israel, I order a large chicken shorma and beer for LE$17.

 

 

They enjoy their shormas with me and give me local information about the area and Lipscani nightlife.

 

At Mojo’s (Yeah, Babe, Yeah) located at Str. Gabroveni 14, I am invited to a birthday party in progress for one of the co-owners.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Matt.

You Rock!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before long I am watching the next Mick Jagger perform.

 

We all applaud as others also see the potential.

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently there are no recommended Romanian beers so this evening my on going international drinking research will be done with a pint of Holsten Weizen.

 

 

Needing more research data, I follow this up with a Tuborg.

 

 

 

 

A slice of Romanian Birthday cake which flavors my palette with the taste of chocolate and coffee is a complement to my research data and my need further exploration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                           Mojo’s is a multi level “Groovy” spot in Old Town run by a couple of fun loving Brits. With Karaoke available upstairs, part of the birthday celebration eventually moves up there.

 

 

 

From Sinatra’s “My Way” to “Boom, Boom Shake The House” along with a crowd participating “Sweet Caroline”, the room is filled with singing …  “Super Stars”.

 

 

I see “Dawn’s Early Light” as I hop a cab back to Hello Hotel.

The Sun’s coming up and I am just going down.

 

 

Back at the hotel, I recap my night at Old Town Lipscani with the night clerk and spend about half an hour learning about life in Romania. I obtain a map and get a little help planning my walk about in a few hours.

 

Bucharest – Day Two, Kinda

 

A late afternoon flight to Istanbul and I have time for a highlight self guided walking tour of Bucharest.

 

                                                                                                                                 With a simple metro system, I board M1-Yellow Line from Gara de Nord to Piata Victoriei.

 

 

A short walk from Piata Victoriei and I am at Arcul de Triumf built in 1922 for Romania’s Great War Dead.

The original Arc was made of wood.

 

 

Across from The Arc of Triumph is a huge park that today in one small area is hosting an arts and craft street fair.

 

 

There are numerous gardens, play areas and walking paths to be enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the metro I exit at Piata Uniri and begin a walk towards The Parliament Building.

 

Bulevardul Unirii is lined with water fountains all the way to Parliament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The waterfalls are an impressive “eye of the storm” as you walk the very busy street.

 

 

 

 

At the intersection of Libertatii and Unirii is the front of Parliament Building a huge complex.

It’s past 1:30PM as I leave Parliament and head back to Gara de Nord. I do not have the luxury to take the inexpensive Airport Bus LE$6 for a 4:25PM flight. Instead, at this point the extra LE$44 for a taxi seems worth it.

 

Despite traffic jams in the city the cab drive does a nice job getting me to the airport on time even after stop for gas and probably to “check his mail”.

Except for having to raid my “trust fund”, I am now glad I missed my original flight from Budapest to Istanbul. I can now cross Romania of my list of “195 Countries To Visit Before I Die”.

I am sure a return is in my future because like Count Dracula I also enjoy the nightlife here.

 

With Seat 14D Boarding Pass, there is no doubt that I will make it to Istanbul.

Tarom 263, Please Take Me To The Land of The Great Ottoman Empire.