Comments on: Romania/Moldova lists http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/ Leif Pettersen's battery-powered rise to the zenith of travel writing rapture Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:15:43 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Journeyetc http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-94935 Journeyetc Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:07:08 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-94935 Best beach: Vama Veche Good joke! Best beach: Vama Veche
Good joke!

]]> By: Stephanie http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-94707 Stephanie Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:34:47 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-94707 NYTimes recently released a story about the saddest places on earth, according to representative sample surveys of the population. Saddest place of them all: Moldova! NYTimes recently released a story about the saddest places on earth, according to representative sample surveys of the population. Saddest place of them all: Moldova!

]]> By: HolidaysMaster http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-89382 HolidaysMaster Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:30:17 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-89382 Leif, Great list you've done! I'm wondering how you've counted the horns received in traffic :)! I've been in Retezat Mountains (Rausor complex) this week for a few days and besides the beautiful landscape I was really disappointed in a situation: at my hotel, 2 foreigners came and asked for directions to some locations they had written in a book - those locations(hotels) were closed for many years ago, but the book was recent. They asked for places to put the tent...no organized place was available - and they could not find any room in all hotels (pensions) available. I was embarrassed about that - they are coming to visit us but we don't know how to welcome them - I have not seen any sign in a foreign language (English or any other one :) ). So, I'm glad that you'll be of help for future visitor and that you are presenting things the way they are - Romania is evolving but still has many, many large steps to do. Leif,
Great list you’ve done! I’m wondering how you’ve counted the horns received in traffic :)!
I’ve been in Retezat Mountains (Rausor complex) this week for a few days and besides the beautiful landscape I was really disappointed in a situation: at my hotel, 2 foreigners came and asked for directions to some locations they had written in a book – those locations(hotels) were closed for many years ago, but the book was recent. They asked for places to put the tent…no organized place was available – and they could not find any room in all hotels (pensions) available. I was embarrassed about that – they are coming to visit us but we don’t know how to welcome them – I have not seen any sign in a foreign language (English or any other one :) ).
So, I’m glad that you’ll be of help for future visitor and that you are presenting things the way they are – Romania is evolving but still has many, many large steps to do.

]]> By: David http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-87464 David Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:50:11 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-87464 Leif, I was a Fulbright Prof back in 1987-88 up in Iasi, so I have lived in the good-old bad days. Before this summer, my last visit to Romania was in the steamy summer of 1999. And even though my relatives keep me informed about Romania, I was still shocked at the change I saw this summer when our whole family returned for a visit to both Bucharest and Constanta. We had a luxury hotel in Pipera, outside Buch, thanks to rich relatives who also got us invited to the Chivu wedding where we were photographed by a gang of soccer paparazzi. Later, in Constanta, my wife's hometown, we sizzled on the Mamaia beaches for two weeks. I finally convinced my father-in-law to install AC inour bedroom, so it was comfy for sleeping. And this brings me to my point: I am still shell-shocked from all the construction going on both in Constanta and Buch! Amazing. Also, I actually ran into 4 busloads of American tourists who were spending the day in Mamaia. Can you believe that? When I first went to Iasi 21 years ago, I did not think Romania would ever become a destination for American tourists. But they are indeed there now. I liked your entertaining list, but, since my relatives run some good hotels in Mamaia (the Richmond is a goodone--but of course 300 euros a night), I can't agree to diss Mamaia. But, god, the prices! In 1999 we could eat and drink at Tony's Beach Club for about $15 a day and live well. This summer we were spedning at least $50 for a day at the beach. Don't get me started about the Aqua Magic park. Anyway, it's good to have seen my adopted country again and looking like Europe. David Leif,

I was a Fulbright Prof back in 1987-88 up in Iasi, so I have lived in the good-old bad days. Before this summer, my last visit to Romania was in the steamy summer of 1999. And even though my relatives keep me informed about Romania, I was still shocked at the change I saw this summer when our whole family returned for a visit to both Bucharest and Constanta.

We had a luxury hotel in Pipera, outside Buch, thanks to rich relatives who also got us invited to the Chivu wedding where we were photographed by a gang of soccer paparazzi. Later, in Constanta, my wife’s hometown, we sizzled on the Mamaia beaches for two weeks. I finally convinced my father-in-law to install AC inour bedroom, so it was comfy for sleeping. And this brings me to my point: I am still shell-shocked from all the construction going on both in Constanta and Buch! Amazing. Also, I actually ran into 4 busloads of American tourists who were spending the day in Mamaia. Can you believe that? When I first went to Iasi 21 years ago, I did not think Romania would ever become a destination for American tourists. But they are indeed there now.

I liked your entertaining list, but, since my relatives run some good hotels in Mamaia (the Richmond is a goodone–but of course 300 euros a night), I can’t agree to diss Mamaia. But, god, the prices! In 1999 we could eat and drink at Tony’s Beach Club for about $15 a day and live well. This summer we were spedning at least $50 for a day at the beach. Don’t get me started about the Aqua Magic park.

Anyway, it’s good to have seen my adopted country again and looking like Europe.

David

]]> By: Nomadic Matt http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-85713 Nomadic Matt Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:34:59 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-85713 ahhh! leif!! great list. I may have to go visit elvira and her hostel next summer...and just in time your book will be out...fancy that... when you stay at hostels do you tell all the women "hi, i write for lonely planet." how times did that happen! I'm also glad you aren't died but when the news of the other lief dying, you search engine traffic went way way way up! At least a lot other people know who you are now... ahhh! leif!! great list. I may have to go visit elvira and her hostel next summer…and just in time your book will be out…fancy that…

when you stay at hostels do you tell all the women “hi, i write for lonely planet.” how times did that happen!

I’m also glad you aren’t died but when the news of the other lief dying, you search engine traffic went way way way up! At least a lot other people know who you are now…

]]> By: leif http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-84915 leif Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:31:27 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-84915 Mary – nothing slows me down. Heat, hip, nothing. It was in the 90s most days I was on the coast. But breezy. Frank – I'm just updating chapters for Rom/Mol for Lonely Planet's "Eastern Europe" and "Europe on a Shoestring" which will both be out next summer. All – thanks for all the map suggestions. There simply isn't a decent one out there that will put an exact map-dot down for an address. I've been reduced to asking humans for help. Humans!! What year is this? Karl – I flew from Minneapolis to Bucharest twice this summer, so I was on a combination of Northwest, KLM, Tarom and Air France. Cristina – I haven't traveled Rom in high season for two years. I was stunned at how crowded it had become in such a short time. Though it's still pretty mellow in Bucovina and Maramureş. Mary – nothing slows me down. Heat, hip, nothing. It was in the 90s most days I was on the coast. But breezy.

Frank – I’m just updating chapters for Rom/Mol for Lonely Planet’s “Eastern Europe” and “Europe on a Shoestring” which will both be out next summer.

All – thanks for all the map suggestions. There simply isn’t a decent one out there that will put an exact map-dot down for an address. I’ve been reduced to asking humans for help. Humans!! What year is this?

Karl – I flew from Minneapolis to Bucharest twice this summer, so I was on a combination of Northwest, KLM, Tarom and Air France.

Cristina – I haven’t traveled Rom in high season for two years. I was stunned at how crowded it had become in such a short time. Though it’s still pretty mellow in Bucovina and Maramureş.

]]> By: Cristina http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-84856 Cristina Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:03:09 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-84856 Oh brother! I so hate Bucharest mostly b/c you can get lost easily even if you DO speak Romanian. I haven't gotten lost in Budapest and don't speak Hungarian but I managed to get lost in Bucharest - and I DO speak Romanian! UGH Ditto on the Black Sea Coast! I was there in 2006 but those were the worst hours on a vacation! NEVER again! I ADORE Sighisoara but you are right abt those souvenirs stands. How annoying! They can put them somewhere else and let the citadel to the tourists to enjoy and not stumble over stands! What else? When we were in Sibiu it was totally crowded so I haven't yet formed an opinion on that...just that Jul and Aug SHOULD be avoided! :) Oh brother! I so hate Bucharest mostly b/c you can get lost easily even if you DO speak Romanian. I haven’t gotten lost in Budapest and don’t speak Hungarian but I managed to get lost in Bucharest – and I DO speak Romanian! UGH

Ditto on the Black Sea Coast! I was there in 2006 but those were the worst hours on a vacation! NEVER again!

I ADORE Sighisoara but you are right abt those souvenirs stands. How annoying! They can put them somewhere else and let the citadel to the tourists to enjoy and not stumble over stands!

What else? When we were in Sibiu it was totally crowded so I haven’t yet formed an opinion on that…just that Jul and Aug SHOULD be avoided! :)

]]> By: Karl http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-84799 Karl Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:56:24 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-84799 What airline did you take to get there? What airline did you take to get there?

]]> By: diciu http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-84694 diciu Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:33:54 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-84694 A very usable online map of Bucharest is available on Yahoo Maps. Google's maps for Romania are probably based on information from the previous century. Btw, I've lived the E68/Sibiu-Brasov traffic-light nightmare road myself. Mind boggling. A very usable online map of Bucharest is available on Yahoo Maps. Google’s maps for Romania are probably based on information from the previous century.

Btw, I’ve lived the E68/Sibiu-Brasov traffic-light nightmare road myself. Mind boggling.

]]> By: Mihai Tanase http://killingbatteries.com/2008/08/romaniamoldova-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-84693 Mihai Tanase Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:27:05 +0000 http://killingbatteries.com/?p=365#comment-84693 Thank you for your kind words about Sibiu. Thank you for your very realistic analyse of our Romania. Multumesc, Leif. Hadet bra ! Thank you for your kind words about Sibiu. Thank you for your very realistic analyse of our Romania. Multumesc, Leif.

Hadet bra !

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