Hot sun at the Black Sea

Our sleepless night in Sibiu was followed by a 4 hour train to Bucharest then a 5 hour train to Constanta, on the Black Sea. The trains were too crowded and hot to sleep in. We were really looking forward to checking into a hotel with the sound of the surf lulling us to sleep. But our struggles were not over yet. We needed to get from Constanta to Mamaia to find the beach hotels, and as we searched the train station for the Maxi-taxi or mini bus to take us there, it started to rain. We jumped on one, and grabbed the last seats. Then it really started to rain, and thunder, and hail. The driver charged through the streets anyway, until they were under 2 feet of water. He then let in a few people to shelter them from the hail. About an hour later we were in Mamaia, the rain had stopped and the first hotel we found had a rate good enough for us to sleep in it peacefully.

Mamaia was named for the last cries of a Romanian girl stolen by a Turk along time ago. Apparently that night the village could hear her calling for her mama long out to sea. But now the town is a lively beach resort, serving mostly Romanians.

We had arrived here earlier than we planned and had a choice of either trudging in the hot, crowded, slow train up to the painted monasteries in Southern Bucovia, trying to leave Romania early for Turkey (wish we had done that!), or stay in Mamaia and enjoy the sun and beach for 9 days. We chose the path of least struggle and lay out on the beach, drank beers (Tuborg), and ate pizza for 9 days.

A typical day was spent: walking out to a beach cafe for eggs and coffee, swimming some, laying out to dry in the sun, check email, try to update this blog, then find another beach cafe (there are about 60 on the 8 km of beach) to eat lunch and drink beers in. Swim and lay out in the sun some more. Shower and watch the news of Kiss (Romanian music TV). Stroll along the boardwalk and people watch - the beaches are more crowded than the Barcelonetta beach, and there are even more topless bathers. Then find a nice restaurant for dinner and explore the Romanian wines (avoid the Murfatlar wines at all cost!).

We spent a day in nearby Constanta which was known in Roman times as Tomis. We saw some very extensive 3rd century Roman mosaics, as well as walked through the town square looking for what the Lonely Planet guide book called sculptures. We found roman era sarcophagus and pieces of columns. Then we headed to the small peninsula of Constanta where we found a petit lighthouse and a dandy of an art deco styled casino that has shut down and become decrepit.

A funny thing you might notice if you visit Romania, is that so many women do not wear bras. Even  though they should. Not only do they need the support, but the long term effect is very noticeable in the middle age women, especially near their bellies.

After an extremely lazy time in Mamaia, we packed up to return to Bucharest.

Unfortunately we have no photos for this entry.