I checked out of my hotel as I wasn't entirely sure what my plans were after visiting Săpânţa. I arrived at the JAN bus station a little before 9:30 am and could see a minibus already waiting with a sign for 'Arad' displayed on the window screen, and I confirmed with the driver it was going to Săpânţa. There weren't many passengers on board and I was relieved when we finally left at 9:50 am with the trip only taking 25 minutes (5 lei).
After jumping off the minibus I headed straight for the Merry Cemetery and paid the 4 lei entrance fee. As it was Sunday there was a service inside the church and it was nice to see all the women wearing the same traditional skirts as they entered. Walking around the cemetery looking at all the grave markers was truly fascinating, and I was grateful it was a nice sunny day with clear blue skies. Before heading to the museum I had a nice cup of coffee at the café opposite and was quite surprised at only been charged 2 lei in such a touristy place! (I was the only tourist around however!)
On arrival at the museum I soon discovered the door was locked; however before too long a lady appeared who clearly wasn't impressed with being disturbed and opened up for me! I had a brief wander around before leaving.
I then decided to make my way over to Peri Monastery, however whilst walking along the road I spotted an old lady who was filling up a lot of containers with water at the nearby outside tap. She beckoned me over and clearly wanted to cook for me and provide me with accommodation for the night! After she had filled all her containers I gave her a hand loading the wheelbarrow and walked the few hundred yards to her home.
Inside her home and in the kitchen I met her daughter. The old lady asked if I wanted some fried eggs. I wasn't really hungry but accepted anyway. Unfortunately I think both the eggs and oil were a little off, as they tasted awful! The old lady then presented me with a school exercise book which had some tourist addresses inside (including Japanese), and asked if I could write mine inside which I did! She was quite persistent in wanting me to stay the night, (and showing me all the addresses in her book as proof of previous lodgers!) I really just wanted to continue exploring Săpânţa and decide later what to do next. I finally offered the old lady and her daughter some of my fresh bread, fruit and chocolate (which they seemed very grateful) and made my excuses and left. (It did not seem right to give money for a couple of rotten fried eggs!)
When I finally reached Peri Monastery I was a little disappointed with the world's largest wooden tower. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I just couldn't get excited! I did however think the surrounding woods would have been a great place to pitch my tent!
By the time I reached the main road again it was about 2:30 pm and I decided I would just head back to Sighetu Marmației and start hitchhiking straight away, (hoping I wouldn't see the old lady!) Unfortunately I had a long hike (with backpack) all the way back to the village of Campulung, before I was picked up. I was very thankful however; as I knew it would soon be getting dark. The man who picked me up spoke no English but was more than happy to take me all the way to Sighetu Marmației train station. He seemed more than happy with the 10 lei I paid him and seemed to find it very amusing when I suggested he could purchase some more cigarettes with the money!
At the train station I pondered where to go next as I didn't really want to spend another night in Sighetu Marmației. In the end I booked a ticket to Cluj-Napoca, with the help of the delightful lady at the ticket counter, (and with her English speaking son on her mobile!) However, the train did not leave until 1:22 am! (Due to arrive at 7:38 am, 30.50 lei)
I now had seven hours to kill in Sighetu Marmației and my first thoughts were looking for somewhere to eat as I was starving after my long hike. I headed south from the train station and spotted a fast food place called 'Mad Dog' and was greeted by a lovely young lady. I first ordered a Shaorma Mica (9 lei) which was very nice, followed by a kebap! I stayed in the takeaway place for quite some time as it was nice and quiet and seemed void of any smokers!
I later wondered over to the patisserie 'Ileana' and had a coffee and a slice of cake. Unfortunately by 9 pm I had to leave as they closed. I decided to visit my old hotel (Coroana) and I was disappointed not to be greeted by the friendly young guy from before but instead by a miserable young lady! I asked her how much it would be to have a room for 3 hours (with a shower) and was told it would be full price. I soon left, somewhat deflated!
I decided to head back to the train station where I spotted a café opposite and so had another coffee, which unfortunately was served by another very grumpy young lady! I couldn't sit inside for very long because at the back of the café where a group of men playing on fruit machines all smoking which just filled the place with smoke. I finally went back inside the train station and tried to make myself comfortable in the waiting room, (which luckily wasn't too cold). I listened to some music and did some exercises to ease the boredom! During the night one of the train guards came to see me and took me inside his office so I could use his coffee machine (1 lei!), which I thought was kind of him. Needless to say, it was quite a long 4 hours spent in a waiting room!
After jumping off the minibus I headed straight for the Merry Cemetery and paid the 4 lei entrance fee. As it was Sunday there was a service inside the church and it was nice to see all the women wearing the same traditional skirts as they entered. Walking around the cemetery looking at all the grave markers was truly fascinating, and I was grateful it was a nice sunny day with clear blue skies. Before heading to the museum I had a nice cup of coffee at the café opposite and was quite surprised at only been charged 2 lei in such a touristy place! (I was the only tourist around however!)
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
Car accidents are depicted a lot at the cemetery
Car accidents are depicted a lot at the cemetery
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
This man was murdered and buried without his head!
This man was murdered and buried without his head!
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery)
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery) - Stan Ioan Pătraş
Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery) - Stan Ioan Pătraş
Stan Ioan Pătraş Museum (Portraits of the Ceausescu's)
I then decided to make my way over to Peri Monastery, however whilst walking along the road I spotted an old lady who was filling up a lot of containers with water at the nearby outside tap. She beckoned me over and clearly wanted to cook for me and provide me with accommodation for the night! After she had filled all her containers I gave her a hand loading the wheelbarrow and walked the few hundred yards to her home.
Inside her home and in the kitchen I met her daughter. The old lady asked if I wanted some fried eggs. I wasn't really hungry but accepted anyway. Unfortunately I think both the eggs and oil were a little off, as they tasted awful! The old lady then presented me with a school exercise book which had some tourist addresses inside (including Japanese), and asked if I could write mine inside which I did! She was quite persistent in wanting me to stay the night, (and showing me all the addresses in her book as proof of previous lodgers!) I really just wanted to continue exploring Săpânţa and decide later what to do next. I finally offered the old lady and her daughter some of my fresh bread, fruit and chocolate (which they seemed very grateful) and made my excuses and left. (It did not seem right to give money for a couple of rotten fried eggs!)
Couple of fried eggs coming up!
When I finally reached Peri Monastery I was a little disappointed with the world's largest wooden tower. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I just couldn't get excited! I did however think the surrounding woods would have been a great place to pitch my tent!
Peri Monastery (1995)
Peri Monastery (1995)
By the time I reached the main road again it was about 2:30 pm and I decided I would just head back to Sighetu Marmației and start hitchhiking straight away, (hoping I wouldn't see the old lady!) Unfortunately I had a long hike (with backpack) all the way back to the village of Campulung, before I was picked up. I was very thankful however; as I knew it would soon be getting dark. The man who picked me up spoke no English but was more than happy to take me all the way to Sighetu Marmației train station. He seemed more than happy with the 10 lei I paid him and seemed to find it very amusing when I suggested he could purchase some more cigarettes with the money!
At the train station I pondered where to go next as I didn't really want to spend another night in Sighetu Marmației. In the end I booked a ticket to Cluj-Napoca, with the help of the delightful lady at the ticket counter, (and with her English speaking son on her mobile!) However, the train did not leave until 1:22 am! (Due to arrive at 7:38 am, 30.50 lei)
I now had seven hours to kill in Sighetu Marmației and my first thoughts were looking for somewhere to eat as I was starving after my long hike. I headed south from the train station and spotted a fast food place called 'Mad Dog' and was greeted by a lovely young lady. I first ordered a Shaorma Mica (9 lei) which was very nice, followed by a kebap! I stayed in the takeaway place for quite some time as it was nice and quiet and seemed void of any smokers!
I later wondered over to the patisserie 'Ileana' and had a coffee and a slice of cake. Unfortunately by 9 pm I had to leave as they closed. I decided to visit my old hotel (Coroana) and I was disappointed not to be greeted by the friendly young guy from before but instead by a miserable young lady! I asked her how much it would be to have a room for 3 hours (with a shower) and was told it would be full price. I soon left, somewhat deflated!
I decided to head back to the train station where I spotted a café opposite and so had another coffee, which unfortunately was served by another very grumpy young lady! I couldn't sit inside for very long because at the back of the café where a group of men playing on fruit machines all smoking which just filled the place with smoke. I finally went back inside the train station and tried to make myself comfortable in the waiting room, (which luckily wasn't too cold). I listened to some music and did some exercises to ease the boredom! During the night one of the train guards came to see me and took me inside his office so I could use his coffee machine (1 lei!), which I thought was kind of him. Needless to say, it was quite a long 4 hours spent in a waiting room!
Waiting Room at midnight! - Sighetu Marmației Train Station
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