Before I began my voyage around Europe, I anxiously had some form of an idea of where I would be traveling. Working at a boring work desk 9 hours a day, 5 days a week (sometimes 14 days straight), it’s kind of hard leaving EVERYTHING for surprise. Although I didn’t necessarily plan things to detail, I knew where I wanted to go. As for Moldova, I kind of left this country optional, depending on how and if I could get there as a low cost.
Originally, I figured if I would be able to catch a bus at night to Chisinau from Constanta. But I was easily turned down at how complicated some of the options were. Such as going through Ukraine than back into Moldova. No thanks. Then I saw options from Bucharest by train to a border town then to Chisinau but figured that would be frustrating. Another was a Blablacar from Bucharest to Chisinau which seemed like a good choice.
But while I was in Constanta, my couchsurfing hosts made note that there was an overnight bus from there to Chisinau for 60 Lei. Even better, one of their Moldovan friends was catching that same bus the day I wanted to leave. So on a Thursday night with a 7:30 departure I headed for Chisinau. First off, i almost missed the bus as it was a small private owned bus you board in front of the train station, not the bus station. Thanks to wifi, my new friend connected with me and ran from the bus station 🙂
The ride was not much fun as it was dark and obviously couldnt see anything. Couldn’t sleep due to a police stop, border crossing, and the incredibly awful roads of southern Moldova. But after 10 hours on the road, I finally arrived in Chisinau at 5 am in miserable wet weather. Finding the hostel was a mission on it’s own but I found it after 30 minutes, was welcomed in, and slept for about 6 hours until 12:30.
Chisinau is no beautiful city but i enjoyed the grey and old appeal. Moldova is much poorer and is one of the more poor countries of Europe but I felth great and accomplished going there. I only spent one day in Moldova but well aware of how much more there is to do and see with tons of culture to experience. Not to forget the unusual breakaway region of Transdniestria, a stuck in time Soviet style section of Moldova bordering the Ukraine with it’s own currency, passports, and a 24 visiting rule for “foreigners”. Still, i was happy to make a stop in Chisinau.
After waking from my coma, I walked around the city to it’s many statues, monuments, churches, Circus building and local park to catch a unique Moldovan sunset. I picked up some wine and like an idiot, I picked up cheap wine. It was from Moldova, but not the best kind I should have bought. I did buy some Bucuria chocolate which was incredible. I took a blablacar really early to Iasi and fortunately due to the feedback from the driver and passengers, I bought some real real good Moldovan wine which i enjoyed with my CS host in Iasi. When I do return to Moldova, I have much more of itinerary in store for the rest of the nation. 🙂
Budget for Chisinau for one day
Transport from Constanta – 60 RON
Chill Hostel 150 MDL
Lunch – 110 MDL
Eggs, cheap wine, chocolate, and beer – 50 MDL
BlaBlaCar out of Moldova – 22 RON
About $35
