The first hike of some travel enthusiasts: "a piece of the normality we were used to"

Yvette is a former journalist, passionate about food, nature and photography. Her husband is an electronics engineer, passionate about motorcycling and aerial filming and obviously photography. They love hiking and offroad (light) tours, and when they stop at a destination they try the culinary dishes even if they are not always to their liking. So far they have visited 30 countries and almost 100 cities. Japan and China are at the top of the list of places visited, and the next foreign destination is Vietnam . Until then, they took a run through the Apuseni Mountains, and Yvette tells us what fears they had, how they chose accommodation and how they coped with the food.

The traveler feels good on the "hike", and you are among the first who set off with a declaration towards the mountains of the homeland. How was the first trip during the Covid 19 pandemic? 

It was like a breath of fresh air, like a piece of the normality we are or at least were used to, but also somewhat strange because I stayed at home for more than 60 days in a 3-room apartment and only went out once 4-5 days after shopping. Seeing cars, people on the street and scenery that you were used to maybe weekend after weekend or at least once every few weeks was wonderful.

How did you choose the destination?

Choosing the destination was very simple. I am from Oradea and have been living in Constanța for 4 years, which means being far from family and friends. On May 7, my father turned 60 and I couldn't be with him, so the mini vacation clearly had to include 2 days, at home in Oradea. The relaxation of the measures, that is, May 15, also coincided with my husband's birthday, and a few days later, with St. Constantine and Elena, our godfather's birthday. So, we decided to go with our godparents, especially since we hadn't seen them for more than 2 months. During the state of emergency, we strictly followed the rules, we all stayed at home and decided not to meet.

How did you choose your accommodation? What criteria did you take into account? How did you protect yourself in another "house"? 

We thought a lot about what to do, to be as protected as possible, to avoid coming into contact with many people. We left Constanța for Sighișoara, where we slept with some very close friends, friends who, in turn, during this period, closed their businesses and stayed at home. The next day we headed to Arieseni, the Apuseni Mountains. Here we looked for a cabin/guesthouse where we had stayed before and said we would be safe because it was not very big. We called, they initially told us that they were not opening and could not accept us. We said to call again and try again. 100 meters above the guesthouse in question, we knew that there was another very ok one, we called, the people said that they would accept us, but there would only be the 4 of us, they could not offer us food, only a barbecue and we would have to manage with the food ourselves. It was perfect, exactly what we were looking for. A lady (with a mask and gloves) was waiting for us and gave us the keys to the rooms, by the way we got the most beautiful apartments 🙂 she left us some plates and the entire guesthouse was ours. To our surprise, when we were heading to this guesthouse, we passed by the one we had called the first time and saw that the parking lot and the yard were full. Zero social distancing, and they even lied to us that they weren't opening, but it didn't matter anymore, we were safe and sound.

After Arieseni, I went home to Oradea where I stayed with my parents, and on the way back I followed all the way through Apuseni because our godparents were no longer there. We hadn't planned to stay another night there, but as we headed towards a waterfall, we saw a gorgeous, cute wooden guesthouse in the middle of the forest and said we had to sleep there. I called, the owner was like God's bread 🙂 She said that she also cooks for us and that she respects all hygiene conditions. And that's how it was! In the middle of the forest, no signal, where you could only hear the river and the chirping of birds, people had alcohol in every corner of the guesthouse, disinfectant, only one employee, who had a mask and gloves, was cooking in a kitchen set up outside, super clean. There were four other tourists here, all from Constanța, but I didn't come into contact at all. The guesthouse had two terraces and several tables. Basically, everyone had their own piece.

Two more nights followed, one in Păltiniş, where I was lucky and found the only guesthouse that was open, the owners lived there and had not received tourists since February 17. And here, the entire guesthouse was ours, the owner drank a pint with us and retired. The last night at Zărnești, a superb guesthouse that is made up of several wooden cabins/houses.

Each cottage has its own terrace and barbecue, we didn't come into contact with anyone, the owner showed us the rooms, we socialized a little (obviously with the strict distance) and saw each other for work.

And how did you order delivery at the top of the mountain? 

Except for the guesthouse where we were offered food and where it was clean and cooked in front of us and we trusted to eat, everywhere we used the grill and bought our own food. We stopped on the way, in different cities, at a hypermarket and bought everything we needed for dinner and breakfast.

Are the guesthouse owners ready to receive tourists again? Pros and cons of where you've been now. 

Hostel owners are prepared, at least that's what we felt. However, I went to four places and met four different owners. Everyone welcomed us with kindness, but with distance and safety and hygiene measures. During the 7 days we felt great in all the places we went to and I have nothing to complain about. I congratulate and thank them.

How many holidays did you miss during the state of emergency? 

I missed a vacation on March 8 with the girls in Milan. I paid for everything, plane, accommodation, trip to Lake Como, but, obviously, I gave up 4 days before departure. We managed to get our money back from AirBnB and Trip Advisor, still waiting for the money or a voucher from the airline.

Plans for a trip across the border? Where and why? 

At the end of June, if it is possible and restrictions are not imposed again, we would like to go to Greece , to Kavala and Thassos. It is relatively close to Constanta, 8 hours by car. We discovered Kavala and Thassos 3 years ago and we go every summer, for an extended weekend. We usually sleep one night in Kavala, we must eat there, we have a favorite terrace 🙂 and the next day by ferry to Thasos, where we also have a favorite place. We really like the landscape, mountains and sea, the Greek food and the people. We usually go by offroad car and cross the island from end to end.

Fears about flying (if applicable)?

I can't say I'm apprehensive, but we're not making vacation plans by plane right now. If I have to travel for work or a city break in the fall, I think the mask and gloves will be essential and I think I'll be safe.

A tip for those who go hiking during this period.

Do not be afraid, there are beautiful and safe places, hostel owners are also people who guard themselves and fear for their health and life, and everything will be fine if they keep their distance and hygiene rules.