Trekking Through Vampire Territory

In October I had the awesome opportunity to go hiking around the Piatra Craiului Mountain, which is located in the Transylvania area of Romania. Though we expected an “easy” 5 – 6 hour venture, the total experience was more than what I would call easy and lasted about 8.5. Still, it was a journey of a lifetime and I don’t regret the pain or strain endured. It was definitely worth it!

We stayed at the Bella Muzica. A beautiful hotel and fantastic underground restaurant. Here are some iPhone shots I took around the hotel. We will definitely stay here again on our next Brasov trip.

Underground dining

Part of our trip included a lunch stop at a farm for an authentic Romania lunch, which included a type of stew and mămăligă, which I’m told is like palenta but I haven’t tried that to compare.

The geek in me couldn’t help but think of “Lord of the Rings” while climbing up and down 45 degree angled terrain. At the end of our journey it was almost dark and we were walking down a steep pathway covered in leaves with only inches of space to walk on and a edge to the left of us that dropped off down an even steeper slope. Needless to say I did not take photos at the end of the hike. It was hard enough to navigate without trying to take photos while trying to beat the setting sun. But here are some of my top pics of images taken during the day I will not easily forget.

The path that lies ahead

Journey into the unknown

People climb these walls

Is that a face in the mountain?

Gollum’s cave?

WIth our tour guide

If Inception is a dream within a dream within a dream… what is a tree within a tree?

Bear tracks!

Halfway there

Twisty tree

A see through tree

At the end of the trip I had a few minutes to run around Piaţa Sfatului and took some shots of the Biserica Neagră (Black Church). Hope to snap more on my next venture to Brasov.

Black Church

Black Church

Black Church Clock

Piața Sfatului

Brasov Hollywood-like Sign