The Dracula Tour--The Grand Finale

Okay, so I kinda got waylaid and didn't quite finish the story of our grand adventure, but that's mostly because the last day was, for all intents and purposes, the tying up of loose ends.

After a refreshing evening with Pat, Dave and Steve and several cocktails and a fabulous night's kip in cool air conditioning, we awoke to spend the final morning in Sibiu, before returning to Bucharest. On the way we stopped at Poenari Castle, former residence for Vlad Dracula. As a woman who prides herself on spending five days a week in the gym, I shamed myself by not climbing the 1,484 steps to the top, but having been on the go for days, with abridged sleep, shattered eating schedule and an intense desire for someone to throw me a salad, I declined.

But while the others began clambering to the top, several local canines, took up temporary residence around the landing where I was perched. While one sat behind me, supposedly guarding me, the other planted himself directly in front of me, rolled over and then used my feet as his pillow while he napped for the next half hour.

Once the group returned we began the last leg of our coach journey to Bucharest. By the time we returned to Bucharest that evening, most of us were debating the merits of a few hours sleep versus simply staying awake as our early morning flight demanded a 4 am departure time. That discussion was tabled for a 10 pm dinner reservation at Club Dracula.

While the restaurant was charming, I'm a bit beyond the age where a fried chicken fillet, molded in the shape of a rat and stuffed with a red pate' that oozed rather convincingly when sliced, impresses me. The waitress noticed my disenchantment and asked "Vat? Dere is a radt on your plate, and you do not find zis int-er-esting?"
Repulsive? Yes. Interesting? No.



Of course I was so happy to see something that vaguely resembled fresh veggies, I quickly scarfed down every carrot, radish, kale and lettuce leaf garnishing the platter. After listening to a recorded selection from Bram Stoker's novel,and a requisite visit by Count Dracula, most of us were using the champagne flutes to prop our heads up. Fortunately the hotel was nearby so we were able to walk back, but with the city having reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit earlier that day, the streets were loaded......with Romanian Roaches. As their carcasses crackled underfootI was very grateful my sandals had 3 inch platforms.

When I collapsed on the bed, I calculated just how effective 2 hours and 57 minutes of sleep might be, but I think I may have passed by the time I crawled to the top of the bed and found my pillow. The time had moved swiftly but we'd met a great group of crazy people made several friends I hope we'll see again soon, and after seeing additional points of interest in Romania on the Discovery channel, who knows? A return trip may be in order.