The Second Transylvanian Crossing was via the more famous Trans- fag-ara-san route, more famous than World Heritage status because it has been on TOP GEAR !!!

Great for Touring on Motor Cycles,

we got a big wave from these guys...

with the horse pulling out logs from the forest

beyond them...

Our Toby in Tasmania had stacked 300 pieces of wood with our Andrew, his Dad, the day before this.  We got their email telling us of his exploits in the early morning, and later that same day, saw another lad, obviously a bit older, using the same skills to supply firewood for the local chalet, right opposite our coffee shop.

Well done, Toby (and Andrew) !

Getting up towards the mist, passing the cascade waterfall...







Rock falls start to be a factor in blocking the road...

Some rocks are so good at blocking the way
that they get names painted on them (before they are pushed off the edge into the abyss below) !

The mist comes down, obscuring the hairpins above..








But not when you get up, and look back...

But then we got to the snow drifts...


& the touring bikes stop

to discuss their plans...

It's all very slow, gentle,

& enjoy it while it is visible...

Because, soon it is going to get...

VERY DARK !

Sandra drove into the 1 km tunnel in thick fog...

inside the tunnel  !

It was 90 % obscured, & I had to call out her distance from the side wall, in order for her to drive at a snails pace...    it was quite unnerving !
(This pic is on the way back, when we could at least see the other end of the tunnel)

Suddenly...  at tunnel's end....

There was bright sunshine,

clear mountainsides

& sensational views...

And a very Happy & Relieved, Sandra

We went for a stroll up the glen,

passed a beautiful blue pool...

But after enjoying the sunshine of the southern valleys, it was time to return to the other side...

....though the snow drift blocks most of the entrance/exit from the tunnel...



To see the bends in all their glory...

The evening light was sensational as we descended from the mountain...

The song of a little Black Cap, whistling from the top of a fir tree was wonderful to hear...

...and the Hay-making continued apace

in all the local villages...


on the way home...

Transalpina - the first of our two Transylvanian Alps Mountain Passes : Our route is through High Country villages already stocking up firewood for Winter ! It must be hard up there then.

Getting up the valleys & seeing the really open, above the tree-line scenery is very refreshing.


And a picnic at a classic picnic place, warm sunshine, mountain stream, fresh air, good food...


Ah.... holidays....






Then comes the good bits....

& the best bit of all :

Wow, they had just completely re-sealed the road for us - with a good 15cms of fresh Tarmac,

It was unlined, either in the centre or at the edges.

There are no side barriers.

It feels completely ODD to have none of those "safety nets", but adds to our thrills.

Sibiu. In the centre of Romania.
We hit town the same day as the Sibiu Romaniacs Enduro Rallye. Mad off-road motor bikers.
One street just outside the wall was set as an obstacle course for the prolog. Early, it was the hobby riders who had to get over all the logs. Couple of Ozzies, most competitors mature well built guys. In the evening there was much more of a crowd for the experts and the pros, so we didn't see much of that. Then 5 days in the local bush. See the website.

Ozzie










First jump

Failed at the first, with the next rider ready.

Choosing the high log was the quick way through, but most tried for a lower log an he who hesitsted got the back wheel jammed.

All getting bogged down together.

The dolly bird with the checkered flag at last.

Old town.

For Mal, a special edition coming of the steam train grave yard.

Enough to make us homesick, remembering the twins on their first birthday.

People are smartly dressed, more so than the ultra casual Ozzies.

One of the Churches in evening light. Patterned roof.



                                     

First of 3 trips to the top of the world.         Busteni, just an hour down the railway line from Brasov.

On the way up, 4 telecabina stanchions visible. This is the top one.

Neil on the plateau. Like the High Country.

Sandra, really enjoying stepping out in the cool breeze.



Snow patch.

Little brown job moving off, later certified as a meadow pipit.

Weathered rocks

Looks like......?

Time out for a member of the film crew. Medieval knights had neither bananas nor 4WD. Met the driver. Takes over an hour to drive up. His usual business is adventure driving in the Nissan Patrol.

Passing the other car on the way down. It was a very vertical ride.