Total expenses incurred: E$73.80
Hostel: Bucharest (2 nights) - 40 Romanian Lei (E$9.00)+ 30 Lei (E$6.80) = E$15.80
Chisinau (1 night): Funky Mamaliga - E$10.00
Bus: Bucharest > Chisinau > Bucharest - 75 LEI (E$17) + 225 Moldova Lei (E$12) = E$29.00
Eurolines Bus: Bucharest > Munich - Free using Eurolines 30 Day Bus Pass
Eurolines booking fee: E$4.00
Food & groceries: E$8.00
Sundries: E$7.00
Moldova is located next to Ukraine near the Russian border. Both countries were ex-USSR states. Moldova gained her independence in August 1991. Majority of the people are Orthodox Christians and speak Romanian language.
Due to a political unrest in Ukraine during the last few months and for security reason, I decided to forgo my dream in visiting Kiew, the capital of Ukraine. Malaysians require a visa approval from the local embassy prior to a visit to Ukraine but no visa is required for entry to Moldova. Security checks at the Bulgarian, Romanian & Moldavian borders were strict so be prepared for some simple questioning ! No worry if you are a bona fide tourist - so sleep well !
Chisinau has a population of 800,000 people and the middle income class mainly stay in blocks of flats. The Central Bus station is near to the Central market which caters to the daily needs of the working class. The city has some interesting old buildings, Orthodox churches, garden and parks so it may be ideal for a 2-3 day stay to explore this old Russian state.
I had in 2011 visited Sofia of Bulgaria & Bucharest of Romania so for this trip, I used Bucharest as a stopover to Chisinau and for my return trip to Munich, Germany.
Sofia, Bulgaria
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| Sofia Central train & bus Station |
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| Sofia train station |
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| 2nd Class Train (E$44) - Sofia > Bucharest |
Bucharest, Romania
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| Bucharest train station |
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| Eurolines Office, Bucharest |
Brasov, Romania
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| A tourist resort town |
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| Brasov bus station |
Chisinau, Moldova - an unprepared, impromptu, free & easy, off the beaten track visit (been there & done that) by taking an overnight bus trip from Bucharest, Romania to Chisinau, my stray walking in downtown Chisinau, it was drizzling at the time of my visit to various touristy places in the city center & nearby area ! A very productive day though my stay in Chisinau was a very short one ! Nevertheless, I was happy with the outcome in this once in a life time visit to Chisinau, capital of Moldova !
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| Central Park & The Cathedral |
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| Stefan eel Mare si Sfant monument |
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| Stefan cel Mare si Sfant boulevard |
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| City Hall |
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| Arch of Triumph |
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| Puskin Park |
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| Parliament House |
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| Government Building |
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| Playing chess at Puskin Park |
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| Park Lake |
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| Central Market |
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| Central Bus Station |
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| Opera & Ballet Theatre |
Suburban & countryside scenery from Bucharest, Romania > Munich, Germany (a long tedious Eurolines bus journey of over 20 hours); a brief stopover in Brasov Bus Station, Romania
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