baile felix

you can read the guide books, search the web and nowadays even look at a location on google earth but it will never give you a feel of the atmosphere of a place. Baile felix has atmosphere ! Like that of a seaside town like brighton lou says. It is the biggest spa and health centre in romania but doesn't seem overly large when you are wandering around it. The place is dominated by a complex of pools with two large buildings at each end, strand apollo and strand felix. Looking through the white railings we could see countless white plastic sunbeds and hear the pop msic all over town. There is a shady park on the far side and we strolled through that grateful for the shade on what had turned out to be a very hot day. At the far end we found a press of stalls selling souvenirs, beach wear, fruit and corn on the cob which seemed to be very popular judging by how many people were chewing on some.

Coming out onto the main road we saw lots of bars so decided we needed a drink ! The one we chose had menus on the tables so after some gesturing at watches we settled with the waitress we would be back at seven to eat. We spent the next quarter of an hour deciphering the menu with the help of thr phrase book.

Back to our campsite which is little more than a glorified car park but virtually empty and managed by a cheerful couple who keep in touch by walkie talkies. he from his shed by the entrance and she from her tiny bar near the loos ! By now a french camper had turned up, the first we have seen since vienna. A short pause and then back to 'our' restaurant. We followed in a chap with what turned out to be a keyboard in a black bag. We were to have music ! The food was as we had identified and we had a good bottle of romanian dry reisling with it. The music was jolly like everything else about baile felix. A techno violin and a singer completed the ensemble and i was ready to applaud at the end of each number but it was greeted with deathly silence by our fellow diners. The romanian way or were they rubbish ? We couldn't tell, not knowing what on earth they were singing about. It sounded like fast and furious gypsy music with an eastern quaver to the vocal. Back to the camper under a bright moon and early to bed according to our body clocks. Romania is one hour ahead of the rest of europe. So it will be up early tomorrow ?