I had a great breakfast at my Pension which consisted of two fried eggs, many slices of pork, masses of bread and toast and a large bowl of apricot jam. All devoured in front of a nice log fire!
After breakfast I headed out to explore Baia Mare, by first visiting the war memorial to the north, which made for some interesting photographs with the sun rising. I then had a walk around the nearby park, before heading back to Piata Libertatii where I had a good wander around.
I was hoping to catch a bus to Săcălășeni from the centre of town, but this did not seem possible after speaking with a few locals, so I decided to make my way towards the bus station (which is quite a long walk). On arrival at the bus station I went inside to the ticket kiosk and enquired about catching a bus to Săcălășeni. Unfortunately I was told the next bus to leave would be at 2:30 pm and as it was still only 12 noon, I decided it would be best to splash out on a taxi. The ticket guard very kindly took me to a nearby waiting taxi and agreed a fare of 25 lei for me, which seemed a reasonable price. (I knew the distance was only about 10 km.)
The taxi driver took me directly to the wonderful old church in Săcălășeni, although the surrounding area wasn't particularly pretty with the nearby scarp yard! He was obviously keen to hang around for the return fare, but I told him I was happy to walk around for a while and then hitchhike back to Baia Mare which I don't think he was too impressed about!
After spending some time at the church I headed off along the main road and visited the nearby shop to grab some food and drink. I then continued to walk south (2km) to the village of Culcea. On arrival I was pleasantly surprised with the wonderful looking houses with their ornate wooden fencing. I kept walking through the village and made my way to the very old church perched on top of the hill. The setting was far more picturesque than that at Săcălășeni, which made for some wonderful photographs.
After leaving the church I headed back through the village again, conscious I only had a couple of hours of daylight left and no means of transport back to Baia Mare. However I didn't have to worry because after only five minutes of leaving the village a young guy in a battered old car stopped and asked if I wanted a lift! He spoke no English, but he was a typical young guy who clearly liked the young ladies! He took me all the way to the outskirts of Baia Mare where we stopped outside a supermarket. As we both got out of the car I offered him some money, but he clearly wasn't having any of it! I thanked him for his kind hospitality and headed off back into the centre of town.
By now it was about 3:30 pm and I was really hungry, so I decided to look for the restaurant called 'Curtea Veche' mentioned in my guidebook as a great place to have some local cuisine. However I struggled to find it, even with enlisting the help of a local lady who in turn asked other locals for help! The lady tried and tried but in the end she informed me the restaurant was no more! I did notice a lot of the restaurants around Piata Libertatii were either closed or having major renovation work done. I eventually settled for a lovely patisserie in the square and had two slices of cake and a large pot of tea! I stayed inside until it was dark so when I ventured outside I could see all the wonderful Christmas lights in all their glory!
I later returned to my Pension where I met the elderly gentleman again at the bar. He offered me a mug of tea and a very large glass of Țuică! We had a good chat and I told him where I'd been during the day. I also informed him I plan to head to Sighetu Marmației in the morning, but might return to Baia Mare as I know the night train runs through here and onto Bucharest. I was quite surprised when he said he would take me out in his car and show me some sights if I did return!
I had my evening meal in the Pension again, which was sarmale (with tomato ketchup) which wasn't as nice as when I first had it in Cluj. However, it was served with masses of pork, a large bottle of mineral water and two coffees and I was only charged 10 lei!
After breakfast I headed out to explore Baia Mare, by first visiting the war memorial to the north, which made for some interesting photographs with the sun rising. I then had a walk around the nearby park, before heading back to Piata Libertatii where I had a good wander around.
War Memorial in Baia Mare
War Memorial in Baia Mare
Baia Mare
Baia Mare
I was hoping to catch a bus to Săcălășeni from the centre of town, but this did not seem possible after speaking with a few locals, so I decided to make my way towards the bus station (which is quite a long walk). On arrival at the bus station I went inside to the ticket kiosk and enquired about catching a bus to Săcălășeni. Unfortunately I was told the next bus to leave would be at 2:30 pm and as it was still only 12 noon, I decided it would be best to splash out on a taxi. The ticket guard very kindly took me to a nearby waiting taxi and agreed a fare of 25 lei for me, which seemed a reasonable price. (I knew the distance was only about 10 km.)
The taxi driver took me directly to the wonderful old church in Săcălășeni, although the surrounding area wasn't particularly pretty with the nearby scarp yard! He was obviously keen to hang around for the return fare, but I told him I was happy to walk around for a while and then hitchhike back to Baia Mare which I don't think he was too impressed about!
17th Century Church in Săcălășeni
17th Century Church in Săcălășeni
17th Century Church in Săcălășeni
After spending some time at the church I headed off along the main road and visited the nearby shop to grab some food and drink. I then continued to walk south (2km) to the village of Culcea. On arrival I was pleasantly surprised with the wonderful looking houses with their ornate wooden fencing. I kept walking through the village and made my way to the very old church perched on top of the hill. The setting was far more picturesque than that at Săcălășeni, which made for some wonderful photographs.
The village of Culcea
The village of Culcea
The village of Culcea
The village of Culcea
Early 18th century church in the village of Culcea
Early 18th century church in the village of Culcea
Early 18th century church in the village of Culcea
Early 18th century church in the village of Culcea
Looking over at the village of Culcea from the church
After leaving the church I headed back through the village again, conscious I only had a couple of hours of daylight left and no means of transport back to Baia Mare. However I didn't have to worry because after only five minutes of leaving the village a young guy in a battered old car stopped and asked if I wanted a lift! He spoke no English, but he was a typical young guy who clearly liked the young ladies! He took me all the way to the outskirts of Baia Mare where we stopped outside a supermarket. As we both got out of the car I offered him some money, but he clearly wasn't having any of it! I thanked him for his kind hospitality and headed off back into the centre of town.
By now it was about 3:30 pm and I was really hungry, so I decided to look for the restaurant called 'Curtea Veche' mentioned in my guidebook as a great place to have some local cuisine. However I struggled to find it, even with enlisting the help of a local lady who in turn asked other locals for help! The lady tried and tried but in the end she informed me the restaurant was no more! I did notice a lot of the restaurants around Piata Libertatii were either closed or having major renovation work done. I eventually settled for a lovely patisserie in the square and had two slices of cake and a large pot of tea! I stayed inside until it was dark so when I ventured outside I could see all the wonderful Christmas lights in all their glory!
Christmas in Baia Mare
Christmas in Baia Mare
Christmas in Baia Mare
I later returned to my Pension where I met the elderly gentleman again at the bar. He offered me a mug of tea and a very large glass of Țuică! We had a good chat and I told him where I'd been during the day. I also informed him I plan to head to Sighetu Marmației in the morning, but might return to Baia Mare as I know the night train runs through here and onto Bucharest. I was quite surprised when he said he would take me out in his car and show me some sights if I did return!
I had my evening meal in the Pension again, which was sarmale (with tomato ketchup) which wasn't as nice as when I first had it in Cluj. However, it was served with masses of pork, a large bottle of mineral water and two coffees and I was only charged 10 lei!
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