Scenic Sailing through the Iron Gates in Serbia and Romainia

Our day started with going through the lock system at the Iron Gates.  The lock was a double entry lock and we were elevated 35 meters.  It was quite exciting!

As if the locks weren't exciting enough, we headed into the Iron Gates Gorge or the Great and Small Kazan Gorge with its spectacular scenery.  We cruised 83 miles of beautiful gorges that were cut through the Carpathian and Balkan mountains eons ago.  The gorges are a natural border between Serbia and Romania.  The dam was started in 1964 and was finished 20 years later.  This changed the landscape and raised the water level by 114 feet but it is still a dramatic landscape.  Enjoy the photos!

Ruse, Rousse, Russe, Rustchuk; Русе = One City Many Spellings

Our stop in Bulgaria took us to the 5th largest city in Bulgaria; Pyce also written Ruse, Rousse, Russe, Rustchuk  We took a quick city tour in a bus and spent another 2 hours walking around the city.  My favorite part of the city was the park and it was a beautiful day for a walk in the park.  Here is an amazing urn right at the entrance all made with plants.

I always enjoy looking in the grocery stores.  Here's a bit of an artsy photo...it's not meant to be and in fact it really is just out of focus but I was surprised to see one thing that was in focus!  Look carefully.

Bulgaria is known for yogurt and they had plenty.

And some shelves looked just like the check-out area of a Walmart!

There were all types of architecture...the old and the new. Here's the Opera House.

A Government building...

Some statues...

And a handsome tourist...

Vlad the Impaler or Count Dracula!?!?

So rumor is that the idea of Dracula was based on Vlad the Impaler because of his bloodthirsty ways! He ruled with an iron fist and if you did something wrong you were impaled.  Seems he learned that impaling thing from...hmmm...maybe the turks.  As a child his father collected the taxes for them and Vlad was taken to live in the other country as a kind of ransom.  As long as his father collected and turned in the taxes, he was safe.  He learned that impaling people who broke the laws kept people from breaking the laws!  Makes sense to me!  And he used that tactic when he returned home to rule!
Bram Stoker was not Romanian and Romania did not have vampires in their legends but the story of Dracula has been attached to Romania now for a very long time.  There's a castle in Transylvania and of course Bela Lugosi, from Romania, was the best Dracula ever!  Romania and Dracula now go together and I believe it is a boost to the economy.

Vlad's body is buried in a small monastery in Romania and his head was returned to Turkey.  Here's

Vlad and his grave.

Walking around Budapest - Vlad the Impaler

The old fortress of Bucharest was one of the residences for Vlad the Impaler.  He ruled off and on from 1448-1477 and was best known for maintaining order with an iron fist.  His blood thirsty ways have left him with quite the reputation however our guide today said there was little need for enforcement once he got everyone's attention.  He effectively got rid of the criminals of the day and lawlessness was a thing of the past!  There isn't much left of the fortress but those ruins are really quite old!  Check them out here and keep an eye out for more information about Vlad!

Umbrella Street

I have read about artist decorated streets  and I'm not sure if this street is an art exhibit but it sure is interesting.  The street...really just an alleyway...has several restaurants and each has used umbrellas to add cover to their al fresco seating.  It's a bit zany and colorful and just plain fun!!  Check it out here!

Walking Around Bucharest - Architecture

The buildings are a mix of historic, modern and communist-era architecture.  Our guide talked about work done and work still needed on the buildings.  He said the government is trying to focus on things that can't wait...like health care, elderly assistance, education...and the buildings are on hold.  Here is a collection of the old and new, the damaged buildings next to the upgraded ones. All are interesting, some still with bullet holes from the 1989 revolution, and many with upgrades and repairs.  Look carefully...

The Ultimate European Journey

We're heading out on our 2nd river cruise with Uniworld and this time we are doing the Ultimate European Journey.  We start in Bucharest and travel the Daube, the Main, and the Rhine ending up in Amsterdam.  Our trip is 24 days and we'll visit 8 or 9 different countries!  I'm pretty excited.  Check out this map with our route!  Just click on the map to enlarge it!