This blog mainly concentrates on providing information that will help in living or travelling in Malaysia. However, I do blog a little about trips abroad. On my recent trip to the Balkans I’ll do a series of short blogs providing one anecdote per country, and then a few assorted photos of the country unrelated to the anecdote.

Romania Buddy Bear
I started my trip in Romania. In late September there was a couchsurfing event in Timisoara, Romania. On the last full day of the event one of the Romanian CS members organised bicycles for us, and we rode along the bike path by the river for about an hour to a cafe on the river bank for lunch. And then later back. This also fulfilled one of my aims of my trip, to do a little cycling. It was really fun.

gathering at the riverside cafe before cycling

cycling out of town

on the bridge where the bike path changes sides from one bank to the other

cafe by the river

cafe by the river

cafe by the river

cafe by the river

returning to the city

returning to the city
AND SOME ASSORTED PHOTOS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF ROMANIA

Constanta, Romania – a club for senior men. So typical of the image of older European men – dressed in suits or similar, perhaps wearing a cap, and sitting with one or two others on a bench happily chatting – or here in their club

The hotel I stayed in on my first night in Romania – Constanta on the Black Sea

Varma Veche – a resort on the Black Sea

Varma Veche – a resort on the Black Sea

Varma Veche

sunset at Varma Veche

a local train back to Constanta

a typical station – the station employee (right side of photo) standing at attention as the train leaves. They always do this. I felt kind of honoured.

a tram in Bucharest

Parliament House in Bucharest

a first class sleeper compartment on the night train from Bucharest to Chisinau, Moldova

early morning train from Brasov to Sighisoara

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

a delicious Romanian stew

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sibiu, Transylvania

Sibiu, Transylvania

Sibiu, Transylvania

Sibiu, Transylvania

Sibiu, Transylvania

Sibiu, Transylvania

western Romania countryside

Timisoara

Timisoara

Timisoara

Timisoara

Timisoara

Timisoara

In the very west, at the border with Serbia. Romanian border officials were very friendly.