Outside Sighişoara, Romanania, this preserve of ancient oaks (some 800 years old) is the largest acient oak forest in Eastern Europe.
Anne and I were really excited about seeing these magestic beauties, and we went on a LONG wild goose chase style hike trying to find the preserve. (thanks for sucking, Lonely planet Romania)
We went back to the nearest village and I used my romanian to ask an old lady where the preserve was. She got a young boy to come into the woods with us and point us in the right direction, where it was still another 2km hike to the preserve. At this point we were both tired and hungry and out of water. But the sight of the magestic oaks will save us!
We turn the corner and enter the preserve to find: cars? music? grilling? tons of people? UGH! Actually the preserve doubles as a park which one can drive too (not meantioned in Lonely planet) and since it was Easter monday it was filled with people spending a day in the park. It was terribly dissapointing and this is one case where the pictures are much better than being there. There were some sheep in the park to control to keep the grass in check. I really liked the actual sheep dogs and the shepard moving the sheep around the park. I was able to beg some water from someone and we made it back to Sighişoara tired and in one piece.
Well, you'd never know by the photo that you had such an exasperating day! The photo is lovely and hopefully it makes you feel like the mad crazy hike was worth it. However, you experienced a slice of Romanian life that many tourists will never take part in. Not too many people are willing to take that kind of adventure. These are stories you will tell your grandchildren!
Wow! What a beautiful shot. Great composition and color. I agree with Ann, from the picture I would have never thought that you had such an exasperating day!
