Cluj to Turda
November 8, 2008
After breakfast (A buffett! Yay!) David and I repeated the walk we did the night before. This city is anice one to walk in, a relaxing place to be as there are lots of parks and a mall to walk through without being attacked by cars. We returned to the hotal after an hour as we had to check out. My plan was to visit the salt mine this arvo and then the Turda Gorge tomorrow Morning. At first, we could not find the salt mine, the usual Romanian lack of street signs..and LP's woeful instructions did not assist. We therefore parked the car and walked to the information centre. Alas this info centre was closed even though it was supposed to be open until 1600hrs. IT was now 1230. Hmmmmmm We walked on to the history museum which had a map out the front. We decided to go to the Roman Ruins as we were now on that side of town.
On the top of a hill, in a field, are the ruins of the 5th Macedonian League who were staioned here in AD168. Nothing is there to protect them, no fences, nothing.
David found the salt mine, after abit of driving around. We paid 8RON after promising to be out by 1500hrs as we had actually missed out on the cut off time. We were delighted to agree and off we went into the big hole. We were both impressed with the cadbury type stripy walls the white salt seam and the mud between them. We had abit of fun in the echo chamber before moving on to the lift room and then to the Ruldolph Mine. This got a OMG! From David who is usually unimpressed by things..This mine is 42m deep 80m long and 50m wide. It is a huge cavern with Salt stalagtites. The area under the stalagtites is roped off as they have a tendency to fall... David has uploaded a photo and I will do more later
We pondered the even more huge Thersa Mine with its huge salt fall and lake. The Ruldolph mine floor has lots of little rocks of salt. It was so fascinating that we are staying in Turda to go back on a weekday to see if a worker can show us a bit more..Fingers crossed.
Went hunting for Castul Prinţul Vânător (Another Castle Dracula Type of place)and nearly gave up, when we spied it in a side street. It is 245RON a night but why be in Romania and not stay in the fun places?
Dinner was hysterical, I ordered the impaled Tartar steak only to get a little man with a carved appple head, impaled on a skewer.
On the top of a hill, in a field, are the ruins of the 5th Macedonian League who were staioned here in AD168. Nothing is there to protect them, no fences, nothing.
David found the salt mine, after abit of driving around. We paid 8RON after promising to be out by 1500hrs as we had actually missed out on the cut off time. We were delighted to agree and off we went into the big hole. We were both impressed with the cadbury type stripy walls the white salt seam and the mud between them. We had abit of fun in the echo chamber before moving on to the lift room and then to the Ruldolph Mine. This got a OMG! From David who is usually unimpressed by things..This mine is 42m deep 80m long and 50m wide. It is a huge cavern with Salt stalagtites. The area under the stalagtites is roped off as they have a tendency to fall... David has uploaded a photo and I will do more later
We pondered the even more huge Thersa Mine with its huge salt fall and lake. The Ruldolph mine floor has lots of little rocks of salt. It was so fascinating that we are staying in Turda to go back on a weekday to see if a worker can show us a bit more..Fingers crossed.
Went hunting for Castul Prinţul Vânător (Another Castle Dracula Type of place)and nearly gave up, when we spied it in a side street. It is 245RON a night but why be in Romania and not stay in the fun places?
Dinner was hysterical, I ordered the impaled Tartar steak only to get a little man with a carved appple head, impaled on a skewer.
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Dracula fun!
The biggest thing about this hotel, is that it is hard to find and the signs on the road are not helpful.
Also they hide reception in the restaurant, so from the street, there is no obvious way in.
Once you locate reception, the staff are friendly and happy to show you the rooms available so you can chose. The rooms are very expensive but for the size of the rooms and compared with hotels in Cluj (36km up the road) I found them pretty good value. We had the cave room, without a window, but it had a double shower cave, a sauna and a huge, comfortable bed. Everything is covered in rocks and has a hunting theme.
The cleaning staff are beyond reproach. The lady on duty when we were there even picked up my dirty washing and placed them in a neat pile.
IF you are going to spend the money...I would also insist that you try the in house restaurant. Ask to see the Dragon's Cave! :) and do try the Dracula's specialties.
A 4 star hotel that does deliver. Its designed in good fun and the staff are happy to play along. Highly recommended but take your mortgage papers.
Also they hide reception in the restaurant, so from the street, there is no obvious way in.
Once you locate reception, the staff are friendly and happy to show you the rooms available so you can chose. The rooms are very expensive but for the size of the rooms and compared with hotels in Cluj (36km up the road) I found them pretty good value. We had the cave room, without a window, but it had a double shower cave, a sauna and a huge, comfortable bed. Everything is covered in rocks and has a hunting theme.
The cleaning staff are beyond reproach. The lady on duty when we were there even picked up my dirty washing and placed them in a neat pile.
IF you are going to spend the money...I would also insist that you try the in house restaurant. Ask to see the Dragon's Cave! :) and do try the Dracula's specialties.
A 4 star hotel that does deliver. Its designed in good fun and the staff are happy to play along. Highly recommended but take your mortgage papers.
View from the Outside Bar
The Double Room
The Sauna in Room 100
The Restaurant
The Junior Apartment
