After paying the nice parking attendant for our quiet night’s sleep, we set off up the cobbled path in warm sunshine to see the lavish summer palace built for King Carol 1.
It was already packed with people, in fact this whole area seems a bit like Matlock on a Sunday to me. There was a long queue to get in, but we’d bought tickets online so we were a bit unsure whether we were supposed to join said queue or not. At least half of the crowd seemed to be a school trip so we slipped in front of them – felt like a proper European queue jumper.
We usually hate guided tours so had made sure our tickets were for individual walk round but it was all to no avail, as we were completely trapped between two groups. Had to listen to the tour guide talking about King Carol’s personality as if he had been their best mate! 😂
Anyway the place was really worth going inside. Completely over the top ornate stuff but you have to admire the craftsmanship.
It was nice to get back outside in the fresh air for all of two minutes before the heavens opened. Had to shelter under a tree and we felt quite under dressed in shorts and sandals.
Had lunch back at the van and waited for the storm to ease. Between the heavy thunder and lightning, we both got a high pitched weather alert through our phones. ‘Yes, yes, we know!’
Gave up on the idea of walking into Sinaia, so we set off for Brasov in the van instead.
Another traffic jam, but nothing like yesterday. We’ve parked on the outskirts of Brasov in the carpark of a giant shopping centre. It’s an hours walk into the old town and the sky was getting blacker, so we had a walk around the shopping centre instead. Now this is a real novelty for Guy, who was very impressed with its cleanliness and variety of shops. Still didn’t want to actually go in any of them though. 😂
Came out to brilliant sunshine – we could’ve walked in after all!
A man and his daughter came over after seeing our number plate and said ‘Welcome to Romania’! Told us a few places to go and said how pleased they were that King Charles is visiting as it’s really good for their country. Is he? We didn’t have a clue, but I looked it up and yes, he’s just down the road! It turns out he really likes it here and has about ten properties round about. Also, he set up a foundation here to offer heritage preservation training. I’m quietly impressed!
