Day 6 Monasteries

Awake at 5 a.m. but stayed in bed a little longer. We have to pack up today as we say goodbye to the houseboat. It is two days in a guesthouse now and two more days of riding, but not in the delta.






I will be sad to leave the boat; it has been very relaxing.

Another glorious day (the forecast was for rain!).

The minivan drops us off outside Tulcea and we ride through a gently undulating landscape via Frecăței to the Orthodox monastery Celic Dere, the biggest convent of the Dobrogea territory. Celic Dere, part of the Frecatei Commune, is named after the nearby river (Turkish meaning “river of steel”). The first church was built in the beginning of the 19th century. Legend has it that the church was founded by a certain bishop Athanasie Lisivencof. In 1841, Romanian and Russian monks arrived.


We have a picnic lunch near here plonked under a tree in a farmer’s land; he comes through with his grazing herd and dogs. The two Mihais set up a table - complete with cloth - and yummy food.


Next, a couple of big hills after lunch - undulating through rural landscapes to second monastery. Very hot - over 28 deg C.

The beautiful monastery of Saon with its distinctive windmill is located amidst vineyards right on the bank of the Danube.

From here, the minivan takes us via Somova and stops for great view out over the Danube floodplain directly on the border with the Ukraine.

Then to an organic winery at Sapanta. Here, the vigneron (who happens to be Italian) put on a wonderful spread of ham, olives, smoked carp, mackerel, lovely bread and fresh tomatoes with sheep and goat cheese and a wine tasting. Wonderful! (Especially the sparkling rosé)!! We enjoyed a few chats in italiano!


Finally, to our guesthouse set up on the hill looking out over the city of Tulcea. Dinner (how do we fit it all in?) and to bed!

Cycle: 26 kms