Orient Express Day 34 Alba Iulia Rest Day - 0km

Back to rooming with my regular John, we slept in til 7.30 and then enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before heading off on our separate ways to explore Alba Iulia.

Nice to know...

The fortress is built in the style developed by Vauban and is currently undergoing a massive restoration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9bastien_Le_Prestre_de_Vauban




Within the old walls are massive buildings including the cathedral built for the coronation of the first monarchs of unified Romania in 1922. There are also many statues and monuments and, of course, the gates allowing access to the old city.

From one exit there is a long promenade lined with shops and restaurants which leads to a modern church with a monument in memory of those were unable to practise their religion under Communist rule. 

 


For lunch, I managed to find a kebab vendor in a little market not far from the hotel and the kebab was so delicious I went back for an early dinner. The owner took great delight in telling everyone who passed by that I was cycling from Paris to Istanbul...

There are countless banks in this city and I was surprised to find a Bank Leumi. There is hardly any graffiti but a little street art which, in keeping with the tradition of the Rest Day, has been captured pictorially.

The Blood Bank???

We are off into the wilds of Romania tomorrow and will be in Bucharest next Thursday. Not sure whether there will be wifi before then so don't worry if there is no news until Bucharest.