Enchantment of Eastern Europe

We had a great night’s sleep, put our suitcases outside our door at 7 and went for breakfast at 8. We were to be in the hotel lobby for 9am, but the buses didn’t show up for awhile.

Simona was our tour guide on the bus. She told us a Romanian saying: “You have to put a small stone in your mouth and your wish will come true.” Instead of a stone, she handed out chocolate rum toffee for us to use for our wish.

Our first stop was Ceaușescu’s massive summer palace in the north part of the city.

We were led through the many opulent rooms. I loved all the mosaics but wasn’t allowed to take pictures. We learned a lot about the country during communism and that Elena Ceaușescu was a strong force behind her husband. The house incorporated spacious apartments for their three children.

Our next stop was outside the Headquarters of the communist party building. The statue of King Carol was moved here after the revolution as a reminder of prior times. It was from the balcony of this building that Ceaușescu gave his last speech and on December 24 the couple were executed by firing squad.

The Obelisk (which many say looks like a potato) commemorates the 1000 people who died in Revolution Square 34 years ago.

When we got off the bus at Old Bucharest we were right at the street where we had stayed in our AirBnB!

Simona led us around the corner and to one of the main streets.

We went to a bookstore advertised as one of the prettiest in Europe.

We found a restaurant for lunch and then met up with the big bus group at 2:30.

Simona pointed out how many of the old buildings and Romanian homes had been torn down and replaced by large plain apartments. After the revolution, ownership of these apartments was snapped up.

Our last stop before heading out of the city was the massive Palace of Parliament. It is the second largest building in the world – behind the Pentagon. Facing this building is a wide boulevard similar to the Champs-Élysées.

On the highway to the boat, we passed miles and miles AND MILES of semis! Romania joined Schengen in March 2024, but it only works for border crossings by air and water. The land border is unbelievably lined up and it can take these semis weeks to get through the border! I just could not believe the line of trucks!

We arrived at the town of Giurgiu, where the Emerald Luna was docked.

Several buses arrived at once, so we were asked to wait in the lounge for our turn. We got into our cabin #308 at 4:30 and unpacked.

We were in the lounge for a welcome briefing and then moved directly to the dining room.

After dinner we “went walkabout” to discover the ship and meet fellow passengers. I think the majority of guests are from Great Britain, with representation also from USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

More about our cabin in another entry.