Danube! First thing, we took the local ferry across the River, a 2 minute trip, a wait of 13 minutes, then back across. We felt we had arrived.
A 4 hour cruise penetrates only the top corner of the Delta in a square tin catamaran. However, a 4 hour speedboat cruise reaches half-way down the Delta through the lagoons, with lunch at Mile 23. Here the government pays pensions to a historic cultural group to maintain their way of life, and to feed traditional fish dishes to the tourists ! A handout with strings attached.
Stefan had asked for the speedboat, so the 4 of us agreed: Otmar & Lia, Neil and me.
Down a narrow channel, another boat, one of two large passenger cruisers was approaching.
1. Should our driver have pulled off earlier? He tried to hug the bank.
2. BUT the oncoming boat neither slowed nor deviated even slightly. The word "cowboy" was used of him later back at the dock.
3. So under the prow we went, tipping up. Stefan was right into the water, Otmar and Lia were, too, but still holding on to the rail, but the driver quickly pulled them on board. Neil ended up in the corner, while I slid along the floor. 2 of us dunked and 3 of us awash to the armpits, all in the moments it took to right the boat.
4. The second big boat took us on board, leaving our driver to head home alone. We were plied with hospitality, as shipwrecked people are. We stayed on the upper deck drying out, for we were now captive to the remaining 2 hours of their cruise.
5. Stefan's phone and camera stopped, while Otmar's came good later. So did our moist binoculars.
Otherwise all the bag contents were given a good airing. No loss, no injury.
6. The young boss met us on the dock and gave us our money back. He was mortified! His first incident in 10 years, and his father the retired captain of one of the cruise boats.
7. In the afternoon, the father gave us the catamaran cruise. His life is the Delta.
Great weather, great company with Otmar & Lia again, (Stefan had to go on to the Black Sea Coast), and close to the birds.
The roller
Common tern
Squacco heron
Spoonbill juvenile
This insect was one of thousands providing a meal for hundreds of birds of over half a dozen types for a few kilometres along the river.
Neil's hat, made by the captain.
Lia and Otmar
The last bird of the trip - a Kingfisher !
8. Two halves of the day.
Neil read that morning in Psalm 37.23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way." It was me who added the next verse, "Though he fall, he will not be cast down, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." Well, we had v24 in the morning and v23 in the afternoon!
The next day was a rest, due to the tremendous thunderstorm downpour (& we were tired !).
Thursday began with the minibus to I C Bratiani and a ferry crossing over the Danube at its widest to Galati (Galatch).
Pastor Mihai was free for an immediate lunch, and took us on a tour of his Church. Modern and still being increased.
His sister, Nicoleta and her husband work in the Church. It is quite a family enterprise, from his parents' time. All Mihai's 9 brothers and sisters are in the Church too. Of course the development of the fellowship has made great changes these last 20 years. Pastor Radu in Tecuci is one of 14 outreaches from this Church.
This is specially for PenCC readers, to whom they send greetings.
A 4 hour cruise penetrates only the top corner of the Delta in a square tin catamaran. However, a 4 hour speedboat cruise reaches half-way down the Delta through the lagoons, with lunch at Mile 23. Here the government pays pensions to a historic cultural group to maintain their way of life, and to feed traditional fish dishes to the tourists ! A handout with strings attached.
Stefan had asked for the speedboat, so the 4 of us agreed: Otmar & Lia, Neil and me.
Down a narrow channel, another boat, one of two large passenger cruisers was approaching.
1. Should our driver have pulled off earlier? He tried to hug the bank.
2. BUT the oncoming boat neither slowed nor deviated even slightly. The word "cowboy" was used of him later back at the dock.
3. So under the prow we went, tipping up. Stefan was right into the water, Otmar and Lia were, too, but still holding on to the rail, but the driver quickly pulled them on board. Neil ended up in the corner, while I slid along the floor. 2 of us dunked and 3 of us awash to the armpits, all in the moments it took to right the boat.
4. The second big boat took us on board, leaving our driver to head home alone. We were plied with hospitality, as shipwrecked people are. We stayed on the upper deck drying out, for we were now captive to the remaining 2 hours of their cruise.
5. Stefan's phone and camera stopped, while Otmar's came good later. So did our moist binoculars.
Otherwise all the bag contents were given a good airing. No loss, no injury.
6. The young boss met us on the dock and gave us our money back. He was mortified! His first incident in 10 years, and his father the retired captain of one of the cruise boats.
7. In the afternoon, the father gave us the catamaran cruise. His life is the Delta.
Great weather, great company with Otmar & Lia again, (Stefan had to go on to the Black Sea Coast), and close to the birds.
The roller
Common tern
Squacco heron
Spoonbill juvenile
This insect was one of thousands providing a meal for hundreds of birds of over half a dozen types for a few kilometres along the river.
Neil's hat, made by the captain.
Lia and Otmar
The last bird of the trip - a Kingfisher !
8. Two halves of the day.
Neil read that morning in Psalm 37.23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way." It was me who added the next verse, "Though he fall, he will not be cast down, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." Well, we had v24 in the morning and v23 in the afternoon!
The next day was a rest, due to the tremendous thunderstorm downpour (& we were tired !).
Thursday began with the minibus to I C Bratiani and a ferry crossing over the Danube at its widest to Galati (Galatch).
His sister, Nicoleta and her husband work in the Church. It is quite a family enterprise, from his parents' time. All Mihai's 9 brothers and sisters are in the Church too. Of course the development of the fellowship has made great changes these last 20 years. Pastor Radu in Tecuci is one of 14 outreaches from this Church.
This is specially for PenCC readers, to whom they send greetings.
