A Journey Through Time and Nature

The Transfagarasan Road, a name that had echoed in my mind like a distant call, finally became a reality. As I embarked on this journey, I was accompanied by Sebastian, a guide whose knowledge of Romania’s history was as deep as the valleys we traversed. Our first stop was the Curtea de Arges Monastery, a place where the whispers of the past seemed to linger in the air. Sebastian’s stories of Romania’s rich tapestry of history were like threads weaving through the landscape, connecting the present to the past.

The road to Poenari Citadel was a path of reflection. Climbing the 1,480 steps to Vlad the Impaler’s former stronghold was a journey in itself, not just physically but emotionally. The ascent was gentle, allowing me to ponder the layers of history that lay beneath each step. At the summit, the ruins stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time, more profound in their decay than the more famous Bran Castle. The Carpathian Mountains stretched out before me, a reminder of nature’s enduring presence amidst human transience.

The Majesty of Human and Natural Engineering

After a contemplative morning, we ventured to the Vidraru Dam. Standing before this colossal structure, I was reminded of my flight over the Hoover Dam years ago. Yet, being grounded here, feeling the earth beneath my feet, the Vidraru Dam’s magnitude was more palpable. It was a testament to human ingenuity, nestled within the embrace of the natural world.

The journey continued along the Transfagarasan Highway, a road that seemed to defy gravity with its winding curves and steep ascents. Jeremy Clarkson’s words echoed in my mind, calling it the best road in the world. As we climbed higher, the air grew thinner, and the views more breathtaking. The road was a ribbon of asphalt weaving through the mountains, a dance between human creation and nature’s grandeur.

Reflections at Bâlea Lake

Our final destination was Bâlea Lake, a glacial jewel nestled at over 2,000 meters above sea level. The lake’s stillness mirrored the sky, a perfect reflection of the heavens above. Here, amidst the Făgăraș Mountains, I found a moment of peace. The journey had been one of discovery, not just of Romania’s landscapes but of my own inner terrain.

As I stood by the lake, I realized that travel is not just about the places we visit but the transformations we undergo. The Transfagarasan Road had been more than a route through the mountains; it was a path through my own thoughts and emotions. I left Arefu with a sense of fulfillment, eager to explore more of what Romania had to offer, and perhaps, to journey once more with Sebastian, whose guidance had been as steady as the road itself.