Bucharest! It's not very nice... It's a bit smoggy and grey. The old town is alright but very touristy and overcrowded. Lots of rip-off restaurants. Parliament Building is however, a pretty stunning building. It's a very imposing building for sure built by Nicolae Caecasecu, Romania's communist dictator back in the 80s.

Saw bears and castles! Bears at the Liberty Bear Sanctuary that rescues European Brown Bears from captive conditions in monasteries, petrol stations etc. Also went to the Bran Castle. A castle of Romanian nobility that's been rebranded as Dracula's castle to rake in more tourists. A bit overcrowded and overrated in my opinion.

So bizarre crossing the paths of old trips. For sure Odessa is a nicer place in the sunshine. It's alive with mafia bosses, strip clubs and families from across the old USSR. It's a multilayered sin city with an overcrowded beach and dilapidated but beautiful architecture. It's one of the most important cities in this region of the world for.its impact.on local events. Hence its a fascinating place to explore. But also tiring as it's hugely busy compared to Mol...

Am.back! Dog shelter. Tough place. Lots of work on little food but am a little sick of thinking about it. At once a harrowing and amazing experience. Toughest place have ever been for sure Now.in Transnistria a breakaway republic that wants the USSR to still be alive. Unfortunately it is not (well for Transnistria). But this region has always been much more russian than elsewhere in Moldova and Putin happily uses it as leverage to prevent Moldova acceidng to th...

Am finally in Chisinau!! I actually really like the city. Came with low expectations, now it ranks high among my favourite European cities. The journey over was surprisingly painless. The sleeper train was more comfy and safer than feared. Was up to see sunrise after a decent kip of about 6hours. After a McDonald's breakfast was on the bus to the border, all smooth sailing! We did get a puncture 5minutes into Moldova...but this was soon resolved and whilst I ...