Hello again,
It has been a quiet summer so we have decided to spice it up a bit by taking a river cruise on the Danube
. This will be our first river cruise and we are excited to see how it compares to ocean cruising, which we love. Since non-stop flights are almost nonexistent these days, we prepare ourselves for a long travel day. Gone are the days of a half empty 747 and being able to make a bed across 4 seats. We fly from SNA to St. Paul to Amsterdam to Bucharest......18 hours later, we arrive (with our luggage :-) Roxanne has found a nice little "boutique", family run, hotel close to the airport. We are smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood and get our first taste of the Romanian lifestyle. It's a lovely summer evening and we opt to eat dinner outside on the hotels large patio. There is no menu, whatever they cook that day is what you get. Can't complain, its all included in one reasonable price. We are immediately given what looks like a large soufflé filled with wild mushrooms in cream and topped with cheese and a light tomato sauce. Our server's English is limited, but we were sure this was the main course, and even though it was delicious, we could barely finish it. Just as we were wondering if we had room for desert, out came our server with a huge plate of chicken covered with ham cheese and tomato with a large side of potatoes. We just looked at each other and said, there goes the diet. The dish was excellent and we somehow found room for that and dessert. If there's a will, there's a way. After dinner, the owner came over to make sure everything was OK, gave us a couple of local liqueurs and said, "We eat large portions in Romania." That's an understatement.
It's off to bed. Tomorrow we transfer to the Marriott where we meet our fellow cruisers for a welcome dinner. So long for now.
Danube and Black Sea Cruising
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
Other Entries
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1Danube and Black Sea Cruising
Aug 20Bucharest, Romaniaphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 9 -
2Day 2 Bucharest
Aug 211 day laterBucharest, Romaniaphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 2 -
3Day 3 Bucharest
Aug 222 days laterBucharest, Romaniaphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 1 -
4Day 4 St Gheorghe, Romania
Aug 233 days laterSulina, Romaniaphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 2 -
5Day 5 Rousse, Bulgaria
Aug 244 days laterChervena voda, Bulgariaphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 2 -
6Day 6 Nikopol, Bulgaria
Aug 255 days laterPleven, Bulgariaphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 0 -
7Day 7 Iron Gates (between Romania & Serbia)
Aug 266 days laterOrsova, Romaniaphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
8Day 8 Novi Sad
Aug 277 days laterNovi Sad, Serbiaphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 0 -
9Day 9 Kalocsa
Aug 288 days laterKalocsa, Hungaryphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
10Day 10 Budapest
Aug 299 days laterBudapest, Hungaryphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 0 -
11Day 11 Budapest day 2
Aug 3010 days laterBudapest, Hungaryphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 4 -
12Day 12 Flying from Budapest to Istanbul
Aug 3111 days laterBudapest, Hungaryphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 1 -
13Day 13 Istanbul day 2
Sep 0112 days laterIstanbul, Turkeyphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 3 -
14Day 14
Sep 0213 days laterNessebar, Bulgariaphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 1 -
15Day 15 Constanta
Sep 0314 days laterConstanta, Romaniaphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 0 -
16Day 17 Batumi
Sep 0516 days laterBatumi, Georgiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 1 -
17Day 18 Trabzon
Sep 0617 days laterTrabzon, Turkeyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0 -
18Day 20 Istanbul
Sep 0819 days laterIstanbul, Turkeyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 1
Comments

2025-02-07
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Nikki
2014-08-23
I cannot keep up with you guys. Since Mark retired, you have been on the go almost constantly. We have a number of friends who love river cruising so I know you are in for a treat. Enjoy and keep eating.
Jim and Linda
2014-08-23
We did that cruise last year. LOVED it! Romania is a special country. Somewhere between old and new, optimism and despair. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
"Louie"
2014-08-23
WOW...sounds wonderful. Can't wait to hear more as you experience this treat. After our summer of back-to-back company, wish we were with you. Love to you both. I'm looking forward to your next installment :)
Paul & Phyllis
2014-08-23
The world is in turmoil and your two are over eating! Keep the posts coming as we live vicariously through both of you.
Randy and Suzanne
2014-08-23
We'll enjoy traveling along with you! Can't wait to hear all of your adventures!
Juliana
2014-08-23
What cruise line are you on and what is the name of the hotel you stayed at close to the airport? We need details! LOL
Have fun and keep eating. xo
Ali
2014-08-23
Have a great time! We loved the river cruise that we did on the Guadalquivir and Guadiana Rivers earlier this summer...with Croisi Europe.
Sandra & Eric
2014-08-24
Sounds awesome already. Pleased the luggage arrived with you this time. Look forward to reading more. Enjoy!
camirandkdc
2014-08-24
Oh my goodness - your off again . Can't wait to follow you guys and hear all about your river cruise . That's on our list too . Enjoy