Moldova 2006

MO-06 - Moldova trip Date of travel: Aug 4 - Aug 7, 2006 ITINERARY: On Aug 4 a noon flight from Prague, Czech Republic via Vienna, Austria to Chisainau a capital of MOLDOVA (in the past called Bessarabia). Still that evening I took a walk through the center of the city. The following day I rented a taxi with a driver and took a trip to Orheiul Vechi about 40 km north of Chisainau. Here I entered the “Orheiul Vechi Monastery complex” carved by Orthodox monks out of limestone cliff in the 13th century. I had a conversation with an English speaking monk there. I saw also an Orthodox church and a small museum in the village. After returning back to Chisainau I continue exploring the city. The following day in the same taxi I went to some 70 km distant eastern part of Moldova called Transdniestr. The name suggests it is beyond the Dniestr River, but in reality part of it is still before it. It is a small strip of land (3,567 sq km) inhabited mostly by Russians and Ukrainians and only 1/3 are Moldavians. For historical reasons they do not want to be part of Moldova and in 1992 they fought a war with Moldova over their independence. Now the Russians keep peace between the sides. I spent the whole morning in Transdniestr. From the posters and a statue of Lenin I felt a gust of communism there. The last morning I continued sightseeing the Moldova capital. In the afternoon the above taxi took me to the airport for flight to Prague (via Vienna). Travel office: Still in Prague I arrange the hotel in Chisainau through Kompas Travel Office. Who took part: I traveled by myself.