Cluj-Napoca: Part 2 (Aug. 11th and 12th) Ethnographical Village Museum and Bell Tower Town View!

Corina left town on the 11th, so I spent the last 2 days in Cluj-Napoca exploring on my own. My feelings about this city-- my fondness for it, in other words-- has stayed consistent throughout my entire stay. It is simply lovely here! I like the historical aspects, the vibrancy, the modern aspects. I have been SO impressed with Romania over all, and it is definitely a country I could see returning to one day.

After Cluj, I have one more stop to make... you can read about that last city in my subsequent blog. 



I never tire of the variety of magnificent churches... as you can probably tell from the style, this one is Greek Orthodox. 


A nice lake and park I walked around on the 11th... it was near a huge, modern mall where Corina and I ate an amazingly good "food court" dinner one night.... 


Next series: Like the one I visited in Bucharest, this ethnographical outdoor museum contained housing, workshops and other structures from a couple hundred years back, respresenting various regions around Cluj. It was very charming, and a lovely day to wander out in nature, as you can see below!


If I recall correctly, this was a blacksmith's shop... details rather obscured by the shadows, I am afraid... 


This was my favorite: such an amazingly unique church from the early 20th century! They still allow ceremonies inside... baptisms, weddings and the like...how utterly charming!!!


Gorgeous paintings on walls and ceiling inside the church... 






A mill for grinding grain... 


The stone wheels had to be phenomenally heavy!!!


Such a unique--and aesthetically pleasing!--way to construct a fence! 


Inside one of the houses...typically, most everything constructed from wood and cloth.. 




Beautifully constructed gate to a farmstead...there were many like this...


Wonderful, cute little houses abounded... I just adore those thatched roofs! 




Bell Tower View: After the museum, I headed back to Unirii Square and the central cathedral...having heard that the view from the bell tower was fabulous. I was not disappointed! After quite an arduous climb, I arrived at the the top, and reaped the reward! 


The stairs became progressively narrower and steeper as I climbed... I was pleased that I passed this much younger couple on their way up... always good to know I am not in such bad shape for a geezer! LOL! 

Love them bells!! (There was a warning about not lingering here, as they sound every 15 minutes...I hurried to get out on the viewing deck!) 


And... what a fabulous view, indeed!!!






 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bucharest, Part 2: Herastrau Park And A Walking Tour of Old Neighborhoods/Mansions

Image
I totally take back what I said in the previous blog about Bucharest being "ugly".    While it is true that many of the streets ARE nondescript at best, and truly ugly at worst, it is ALSO true that there are some quite beautiful parts as well... of which this blog is about!  I went on a second walking tour--this time, through the affluent old neighborhoods--the "old money" neighborhoods, one might say--and there were many beautiful old mansions to admire there. There were prettier, quieter streets, as one would expect, with large trees and much more greenery in general. It is also true-- per our lovely guide, Paul-- that many mansions are abandoned and have fallen into disrepair, simply because the descendents of the wealthy owners could not afford the upkeep. Tragic, indeed! Many are also now possessed by insitutions or corporations... and some, by various consulates and embassies.  It was a scenic and enjoyable evening's walk...especially because the sky was ...
Read more

A Final Fall Hike: Bullards Bar

Image
Here is a description of the location of my last long hike:  "New Bullards Bar Reservoir  is a large reservoir  in northeastern Yuba county, CA.,   at an elevation of 2,000 feet in the Tahoe National Forest.  It is a popular destination  for outdoor recreation. It is 16 miles in length and has 60+ miles of shoreline.    Bullards Bar is a mountain biking destination, with about 19 miles of hiking and biking trails, primarily on the east side of the lake."  The hike was a good--albeit chilly-- romp with a group of friends at this man-made reservoir. It is the strangest "lake", with steep, grooved sides made of golden-colored earth that has been carved away, leaving the most interesting-looking pattern (but wholly unnatural!) Again, as we all hiked along, we soaked in the lovely sights and smells, getting a good work-out in at the same time. It was a fine time and great finale before I must reluctantly head back to the urban ...
Read more

Portugal! A Final Visit to the Lovely Lisbon City...before departing Western Europe/Schengen Countries! (7/23/23)

Image
 It was a great day--and last visit--to the city, with Diego... wandering the streets, seeing the sights (like this crazy street "performer" of sorts!), and finishing with an amazing dinner in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, recommended by Andreia, the tour guide.  Who knows? I may be back one day! On the 24th, very early in the a.m., I was sad to have to leave the schengen countries... as my 90 day visa is finished... I would like to have stayed longer, but not possible! Such as it is..... The "flying man", as Diego and I dubbed this character! It was fun trying to discern the trick behind this... one metal rod deep into the ground, no doubt...the other one forming an arc around his midriff, most likely...exceedly clever, no matter what...but the poor guy must have been broiling hot in this get-up!  Some nobiel horseman or other!  Diego and I feasted on a grilled fish platter for two;  it also included salad, roasted potatoes, prawns, grilled asparagus, and a ch...
Read more