Danube Delta Discovery

Towards the Delta

From Brussels we fly to Bucharest for our Danube Delta discovery adventure. After we pick up our rental car we try to locate our pension for the night. It’s called ‘Pipera’ and supposed to be close to the airport. Finally we find it. On quite a distance from the airport…

We take a stroll in the neighborhood. During this short walk three people beg us for money. We stop for a glass of wine on a nice terrace. In the pension they offer us a nice dish. A specialty from Romania; a Dorado filet.

Next day leaving Bucharest is not easy. In the end we manage to drive towards Constanta. Then a coffee break in Mihai Viteazu. Finally we arrive at a small ‘port’ near Tulcea in a place called Murighiol. Here I call a number so that the hotel ferry will arrive. In the meantime we park the car at a local farm. The farmer wants to be paid in advance but I feel better paying him afterwards.

Uzlina Island

Konstantin arrives and takes us by boat to the island of Uzlina. On our way we see a water snake. We check in at Pensiunea turistica Prodelta. It’s a small hotel where they organize boat trips into the Danube Delta. There’s seems to be not that much tourism (yet?). The hotel is nice but a little old fashioned. No one here speaks English or German. Hence we communicate by google translate – and by sign language.

Next day it storms according to guide Joël. No boat trip possible. After half an hour I talk again to him. Guess what – now he is willing to take us! We start our Danube Delta adventure!

Though it’s cold on board we manage to see a lot. Mainly water birds. The boat even takes us to the river Danube.

That evening we’re the only ones having dinner in the hotel. Romanian romantic music is played. My wife asks for the recipe of the fabulous garlic sauce.

More Danube Delta Discovery Trips

We make more trips the following days. See the flora and the fauna. Among the special locally birds we spot are the Dalmatian Pelican, the Cormorant, the Night Heron and the Glossy Ibis.

It’s beautiful to experience the silence and the quietness. This, along with all the nice views makes the trip very worth full.

During the last days waitress Michelle puts on CNN on television. Communication here is very difficult. Now we can watch something we understand, she must have thought. Michelle means well!

Leaving the Danube delta

Alas, in the end we have to leave off course. The Danube Delta discovery ends. Joel, service-oriented until the end takes us to the place where we left our car. We drive back than direction Bucharest.

It takes some time but at last we locate our sleepover place for the night, pension Fantanita Murfatlar in Murfatlar. Big building, nice place, friendly people. After lunch we stroll for a few hours in the nature neighborhood.

Some beautiful views here. A few birds, some animals. We spot a copulating pair of land turtles. They act slowly. Patience is a virtue during love making.

Back to Bucharest

When we leave next morning checking out is difficult. First no one is capable to produce the bill. In the end we write down what we think should be paid. Alas then the following problem occurs. They do have a pin device for paying – but no one knows how it works! They stare at the device as if they see a ghost. With some trial and error we manage to pay.

It’s a rather long trip to Bucharest. We need to find the airport. Looking at the traffic signs we don’t see any reference of the airport. The language is not easy and no sign of a plane or something at all.

After some time we finally reach the airport. We started to get a little nervous because we have to be on time off course. Then I remember the patience of the copulating turtles. Just that thought gives me peace.

——————–

Trip was made in 2012.