Article Trip to Moldova

After quite a long wait on the Romanian-Moldovan border, a thorough inspection of the car (engine numbers, body and who else) and paying the road tax, we were able to go to the Promised Land. The first thing that surprised us were the local roads. Just beyond the border, the road began like a tankodrome, humped, full of holes, but wide. So next to the road was about a meter of gravel, which may sometimes be covered with asphalt. Fortunately, the farther from the border with Ukraine, the better the roads.

We spent the night just before Kahul on the border near the vineyard, where foxes give a good night. Literally and literally. The young curious fox came to see us almost to the table in the evening. Apparently she was attracted by the smell of our dinner. Fox whistling could be heard long after we went to bed.

At Kahulu, road quality has improved significantly. Another small turn to the monument in front of the spa town and we continue. We are heading to Komrat.

Komrat is the capital of the Gagauz Autonomous Region, which is part of the Republic of Moldova. We stopped a car in the center, a short walk from St. John's Church. Opposite the church is a shopping center and a market, where we bought and replenished supplies of Moldovan wine. In the shops, I felt like I had gone back in time. Milk and dairy products in plastic bags got me the most. Like in my childhood. I also dusted off my knowledge of Russian and for the first time in my life I actively used it abroad. I was surprised it was not forgotten. Of course, eight years of teaching the Russian language and graduation from it must be known in some way. Because Moldovan is actually like Romanian, it was the only way to communicate. We were pleased with how the Moldovans still perceive the Czechia positively, in fact they still have it for Czechoslovakia, and almost everyone we talked to has ever been there, studied, been in the war or there was someone from the family.

When we were looking for a good restaurant, the lady in the wine shop recommended Boulevard Cafe & Bar. We would like to thank her warmly, the food was really great. But the prices were even more amazing. In Moldova, indeed, time seems to stand still. Beef steak with side dish cost our 120 CZK. I really call it people's awards. The flakota of meat was 250g.

We continue from Komrat, we go around Chisinau, our destination is the Orheiul Vechi monastery. We will return to Chisinau. Now we are in a hurry to probably the only tourist attraction in Moldova.

We're at the finish line. The Orheiul Vechi monastery complex is located high above the river. In the 13th century, the monks built an extensive cave system here and used it for another five centuries. Today, only one cave is inhabited, which is also open to the public. To the great joy of the old monk in it. Another small note about accommodation – we arrived during the week, so the guesthouses did not work (they say they are only open on weekends), we did not even have the information center down by the parking lot, so we finally found accommodation in the village Trebujeni – private apartments and camping in the garden at a very nice housewife in Villa Roz. Link here: https://vilaroz.com/

The entrance to the cave is under this chapel.

The eyes slowly get used to the darkness. The monk's private areas are separated by a rope, where tourists are not allowed. We feel a little uneasy, unwelcome visitors, but curiosity is stronger. Outside there is a small terrace, contemplative, as long as one does not suffer from dizziness.

Enter and do not look down.

A little further above the river, closer to the village of Trebujeni, are other caves in the rock. These are already open to the public and are marked by human presence. Sprayed inscriptions, remnants of fireplaces, more recent interventions and modifications. Just climb up the steep slope.

In the limestone slope we can see hundreds of fossilized shells. Testimony that once upon a time there was a sea in this place.

A window in a cave.

Another photo and we can go down again.

On the way from Trebujeni, of course, we stop in Branesti. The local wine cellars are among the largest in the country. They are huge, we arrange an excursion.

Sparkling wine matures here under a layer of dust and old cobwebs.