It was a great relief to finally board my train at 1:22 am to Cluj- Napoca. However, unfortunately for the entire journey it was freezing cold and I spent most of the time laid across three seats inside my sleeping bag trying to keep warm!
On arrival at Cluj- Napoca (7:45 am), I quickly made my way to the ticket office to see about booking my next train to Alba lulia. I was in luck as there was a train leaving for Teius at 9:40 am (32.80 lei), and another train leaving from Teius to Alba lulia at 1 pm (3.60 lei). I purchased both tickets and was due to arrive in Alba lulia at 1:35 pm.
As I had a couple of hours to kill I visited the nearby train station café for a coffee and a very stale slice of cake, which was made more annoying as I was told to leave the café to eat elsewhere as the cleaners needed to enter and clean the place! I decided to cross the road and visit the patisserie near the Pax hotel, (where I stayed earlier in my travels) and sadly ended up with another stale cake!
The train left for Teius on time, the journey was uneventful and I arrived at 11:30 am. The train station did not really have a great deal to offer, but I did manage to grab something to eat at one of the kiosks. The station also had its own gang of dogs roaming the place, luckily all very friendly!
My train to Alba lulia left on time at 1 pm, but it was an incredibly slow journey and I finally arrived at 1:45 pm. As I walked out of the train station I jumped on the #13 bus and got off near Str Mihai Viteazul and headed off in the direction of St Michael's Cathedral. I made my way to 'Pensiunea Flamingo', (as my guidebook had given it a good write up). When I arrived and entered the bar I asked the young girl if I could book a room for a couple of nights. I was told I had to call the lady owner, to which I explained that I did not have a mobile phone and so the young girl rather reluctantly called her for me! After a brief conversation on the telephone I was informed the lady owner was a little unwell and asked if I could return in a few hours time! A little disgruntled and very tired I just left!
I decided to head back towards the train station and seek out the place called 'Hanul cu Bere', which according to my guidebook was 2 km from the station, but I am sure it was much further. I eventually spotted 'Hanul cu Bere', (on left side of road) and as I entered I was hit by a massive cloud of smoke, and was soon told they were fully booked! (I was actually quite relieved!) I then crossed the road and visited 'Hanul dintre Salcii', where I was greeted by a young guy sat in a very large dining room all on his own. He did seem quite surprised that I was looking for a room for the night, and eventually informed me a room would be 70 lei. I enquired about the hotel restaurant; and I was told they did not serve any food. Somewhat surprised, I pointed to all the tables and chairs, (all carefully laid with cutlery and flowers) but was told it was all for show! As I really wanted something to eat, I decided to leave but said to the young guy I might return.
I crossed back over the busy road and headed in the direction of the village called Oarda de Jos, as I'd spotted the word 'Pensiunea' painted in very large letters on a roof from the road side. On arrival at 'Pensiunea Perla Muresului' I was greeted by a man who spoke very little English, but I was welcomed in and was introduced to the man's son who did speak some English. The place was amazing, so wonderfully clean and modern, with no hint of any nicotine! I was informed a room would be 120 lei for the night, or 100 lei without breakfast. I did think it was a little expensive, especially as it was located on the outskirts of town, but as it was such a lovely place I knew I wanted to stay here. I asked if I could have any discount if I booked two nights, (my old bargaining trick!) and was told I could pay 160 lei, without breakfast or 200 lei with breakfast. I decided the latter, as somehow I knew the breakfast would be worth it!
After chilling a little in my delightful room, I headed back downstairs on the hunt for something to eat. I was soon presented with a wonderful three course meal consisting of soup with dumplings, my best ever sarmale and some very nice cakes. I was also given a large jug of Țuică! With a large bottle of mineral water, a beer and a coffee to finish, the whole bill came to 30 lei.
Before returning to my room for the night the owner gave me a tourist map of Alba lulia which I thought was kind of him. It's amazing what a difference 24 hours makes; the previous evening was spent in a train station waiting room, whereas now I am in the best room in Romania! I am really looking forward to some much needed sleep, followed by my breakfast in the morning!
On arrival at Cluj- Napoca (7:45 am), I quickly made my way to the ticket office to see about booking my next train to Alba lulia. I was in luck as there was a train leaving for Teius at 9:40 am (32.80 lei), and another train leaving from Teius to Alba lulia at 1 pm (3.60 lei). I purchased both tickets and was due to arrive in Alba lulia at 1:35 pm.
As I had a couple of hours to kill I visited the nearby train station café for a coffee and a very stale slice of cake, which was made more annoying as I was told to leave the café to eat elsewhere as the cleaners needed to enter and clean the place! I decided to cross the road and visit the patisserie near the Pax hotel, (where I stayed earlier in my travels) and sadly ended up with another stale cake!
The train left for Teius on time, the journey was uneventful and I arrived at 11:30 am. The train station did not really have a great deal to offer, but I did manage to grab something to eat at one of the kiosks. The station also had its own gang of dogs roaming the place, luckily all very friendly!
On my way to Teiuș - View from train window
On my way to Teiuș - View from train window
Teiuș Train Station
Teiuș Train Station
I decided to head back towards the train station and seek out the place called 'Hanul cu Bere', which according to my guidebook was 2 km from the station, but I am sure it was much further. I eventually spotted 'Hanul cu Bere', (on left side of road) and as I entered I was hit by a massive cloud of smoke, and was soon told they were fully booked! (I was actually quite relieved!) I then crossed the road and visited 'Hanul dintre Salcii', where I was greeted by a young guy sat in a very large dining room all on his own. He did seem quite surprised that I was looking for a room for the night, and eventually informed me a room would be 70 lei. I enquired about the hotel restaurant; and I was told they did not serve any food. Somewhat surprised, I pointed to all the tables and chairs, (all carefully laid with cutlery and flowers) but was told it was all for show! As I really wanted something to eat, I decided to leave but said to the young guy I might return.
I crossed back over the busy road and headed in the direction of the village called Oarda de Jos, as I'd spotted the word 'Pensiunea' painted in very large letters on a roof from the road side. On arrival at 'Pensiunea Perla Muresului' I was greeted by a man who spoke very little English, but I was welcomed in and was introduced to the man's son who did speak some English. The place was amazing, so wonderfully clean and modern, with no hint of any nicotine! I was informed a room would be 120 lei for the night, or 100 lei without breakfast. I did think it was a little expensive, especially as it was located on the outskirts of town, but as it was such a lovely place I knew I wanted to stay here. I asked if I could have any discount if I booked two nights, (my old bargaining trick!) and was told I could pay 160 lei, without breakfast or 200 lei with breakfast. I decided the latter, as somehow I knew the breakfast would be worth it!
After chilling a little in my delightful room, I headed back downstairs on the hunt for something to eat. I was soon presented with a wonderful three course meal consisting of soup with dumplings, my best ever sarmale and some very nice cakes. I was also given a large jug of Țuică! With a large bottle of mineral water, a beer and a coffee to finish, the whole bill came to 30 lei.
Great food
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