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Published: August 25th 2010
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Bran Castle
This is it. We saw werewovles on the way here. We were afraid to get off bus but after a while we did it. Day 3- Dracula
19 August 2010
Another great weather day. High about 75 without rain. How long will we be this lucky.
With great concern, we left our hotel this morning at 8:30 for the Bran Castle, home of Vlad the Impalor, or better known as Dracula. It seems that old Vlad enjoyed the occasional sacrifice of his enemies. His method of choice was to impale them. They say that more than 1000 lives were lost to Vlad in this method. So, he was probably a good choice to model one of the world’s great villains.
We carried a wooden cross and some garlic with us. Since we ate Italian the night before, with plenty of garlic flavor, I decided that I would just use my breath if confronted by a vampire. I tested my theory on Jackie and she ran off. I guess it works.
We decide to bail on the “optional tour” provided by the tour company and hire our on taxi for the day. The tour was priced at $95 per person. We paid a total of $80 for the day for an air-conditioned van that took the Warren’s and us to the same
Bran Castle
Inside Dracular's home. place! I was happy all day for the savings and the freedom to travel where we wanted.
The drive from Sinaia was about 30 miles. So, you might guess that we’d get there in half an hour. Well, no, how about one and a half hour. It seems the two-lane roads through the mountains and villages are not that speedy.
The countryside is interesting with large farms surrounded by rows of houses on lots of about a quarter acre. Around each house was a full garden. There were road side fruit stands set up about each quarter of mile. We were told that during the communist period, from 1947-1989, the farmers were required to work on the collective, but could keep what they grew in their garden. So, that’s where they worked the hardest. It continues, I guess, today.
The Bran Castle was scenic from a distance but a little disappointing on the tour. Dracula was nowhere to be seen. I think someone told him that I was coming and that my breath stunk, so he ran. Below the castle was a large market area selling anything you can imagine connected to Dracula. We looked and decided
Bran Castle
Here's a cute couple. They are not concerned since the full moon comes next week. to save our cash for another bottle of wine.
After the tour, we boarded the van to return to Sinaia. The drive through the Transylvania county side was scenic. I saw no werewolves or vampire bats so it was a little disappointing.
When we returned we walked around town and had a late lunch of pizza and beer. Then we found a fruit market and bought some peaches and berries.
Tomorrow we tour a royal palace here in Sinaia and then travel up to the town of Brasov. This is the home town of our tour director, Hunor. It should be interesting since this town is famous for an early uprising against the communist party in 1987.
Should be fun. Don’t miss out.
Tom
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Dianne
non-member comment
Scary!
Sounds like your day was interesting and fun.. the weather is holding for you as well, as they usually get lots of rain there. In your next blog, explain how life is on the boat... would like to see photos of the boat, your room, etc. Do you get all the wine you can drink on the boat? Only the winos would ask that question, right? Keem em coming, love your blog!