Day 3 - Novaci to Sibiu via Transalpina
Today was the second longest day of the trip from a driving point of view. Idea was to cut across carpathian using the famous Transalpine circuit - the highest road in Romania going up above 7000 feet at its peak.
We woke up to the sounds of cow bells and looked out to see a group of cows grazing blissfully on a hill nearby as the early morning rays spread its golden glow. It was a scene from a rustic past that we all yearn for at times.
Given we had to hurry, we quickly got some break fast sorted from amongst our own food items. (The place we stayed had a nice kitchen for some quick cooking).
We started Novaci at 9, filled up full tank and hit the roads. Given two road options with non-Transalpina being faster for some reason, Google picked it up and we were on it for a few kms before we found the discrepancy between the GPS and Gmaps. Hence had to switch back to the other route through some interior connections which were not fully paved. Lost about 30-45 minutes but also saw some nice streams with ice cold water. Wish I had a 4x4 rather than the puny Fiesta.
Soon we hit the famous Transalpina and the going was buttery smooth. Fantastic view of the mountains, brilliant cruves, dead drops, longish stretches to floor the pedal, then brake hard for the next hairpin. It turned out to be a good practice for Transafagarasan.
All the while enjoying nice summer weather. Couldn't ask for more. AC was not needed for most of first half. We hit the top before noon and it got hotter as we got down into lower altitudes Stopped on the roadside for some self made lunch. (We always travel with a small travel cooker to ensure we supplement restaurants with some spicy Indian food from time to time).
The drive from then on was nice at around 90kmph limit but the highest I ever hit was around 85 given the steep curves and lack of clear sight of oncoming traffic. The drive was beautiful and exciting but the views were less so since now we were fully enclosed in pine forests unlike the huge vistas at the top of Transalpina. After a 2-3 hour concentrated drive, I took a break to stretch and massage my neck which had for some reason become sore. Typically I have a bit of back ache and no issue with neck even when I drive days on together, so this was a bit surprising.
Anyhow, we soon hit A1 motorway (the same we took from Bucharest to Pitesti) and could hit 140-150 for some speed pill. Reached Sibiu in evening.
Checked in and had to carry our luggage to 3rd floor through narrow stairways - weight training for the day done !
Post that we freshened up and took a short drive to the historical centre of Sibiu - parking was tight but the walk was worth it. There is a certain old world charm about Sibiu, with low tourist numbers and normal Romanians going about their lives. A certain old European charm something I sorely miss in Western parts of the continent these days.
Today was the second longest day of the trip from a driving point of view. Idea was to cut across carpathian using the famous Transalpine circuit - the highest road in Romania going up above 7000 feet at its peak.
We woke up to the sounds of cow bells and looked out to see a group of cows grazing blissfully on a hill nearby as the early morning rays spread its golden glow. It was a scene from a rustic past that we all yearn for at times.
Given we had to hurry, we quickly got some break fast sorted from amongst our own food items. (The place we stayed had a nice kitchen for some quick cooking).
We started Novaci at 9, filled up full tank and hit the roads. Given two road options with non-Transalpina being faster for some reason, Google picked it up and we were on it for a few kms before we found the discrepancy between the GPS and Gmaps. Hence had to switch back to the other route through some interior connections which were not fully paved. Lost about 30-45 minutes but also saw some nice streams with ice cold water. Wish I had a 4x4 rather than the puny Fiesta.
Soon we hit the famous Transalpina and the going was buttery smooth. Fantastic view of the mountains, brilliant cruves, dead drops, longish stretches to floor the pedal, then brake hard for the next hairpin. It turned out to be a good practice for Transafagarasan.
All the while enjoying nice summer weather. Couldn't ask for more. AC was not needed for most of first half. We hit the top before noon and it got hotter as we got down into lower altitudes Stopped on the roadside for some self made lunch. (We always travel with a small travel cooker to ensure we supplement restaurants with some spicy Indian food from time to time).
The drive from then on was nice at around 90kmph limit but the highest I ever hit was around 85 given the steep curves and lack of clear sight of oncoming traffic. The drive was beautiful and exciting but the views were less so since now we were fully enclosed in pine forests unlike the huge vistas at the top of Transalpina. After a 2-3 hour concentrated drive, I took a break to stretch and massage my neck which had for some reason become sore. Typically I have a bit of back ache and no issue with neck even when I drive days on together, so this was a bit surprising.
Anyhow, we soon hit A1 motorway (the same we took from Bucharest to Pitesti) and could hit 140-150 for some speed pill. Reached Sibiu in evening.
Checked in and had to carry our luggage to 3rd floor through narrow stairways - weight training for the day done !
Post that we freshened up and took a short drive to the historical centre of Sibiu - parking was tight but the walk was worth it. There is a certain old world charm about Sibiu, with low tourist numbers and normal Romanians going about their lives. A certain old European charm something I sorely miss in Western parts of the continent these days.
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