In search of freedom, wisdom and beauty in Romania

Romania: the country that is so enchanting and beguiling that it won't let you go once it has pressed you close to its warm heart. I'm exploring it on foot. Follow me on my travels and fall in love with this place too. Scroll down for adventures...

Romania is here (even when I’m not there)

6th October 2019

BOOK REVIEW This book is Romania hugging you. It may smell under its armpits and its coat may be a little worse for wear, but there are crowfeet all around its eyes set in a stubbly face, and these eyes are soulfully and alluringly smiling at you: ‘Come here! Stay! I know I’m not perfect but I am your home. No matter where you go, I am your home.’ And you are utterly helpless in the face of so much devilish charm. Romania is the country you love despite of everything and because of everything.

The Bucegi: other angles

19th August 2019

Right at the start of Brâna Caprelor two chamois stare me in the face from atop a rock, at a safe distance, but still close enough for me to admire them. Although the Brâna Caprelor trail is exciting and involves some hands on rock and the scenery is absolutely imposing, it is far less difficult than I’d expected – quite a few people have warned me about the technicality of this trail.

Mountain magic in Măgura

19th July 2019

I don’t know what it is with this place, these places, but Romania and its mountains keep pulling me towards them, relentlessly. I must be here. Having all these special encounters confirms that I am in the right place, doing the right thing. This is a difficult truth for me to deal with, being the inveterate agnostic and rationalist that I am. Why? Just because. Because it fits. Because it’s good. Tov. But how did I get here?

Kilometres walked:

2071 km