Sucevita after a beautiful ride.

Ruth: After a beautiful climb up out Moldovița we were treated to one of the best descents ever. As cyclists what we always hope for is a slow long float. Fast enough for fun but without the need to break much. This one delivered that for about 18 kilometres. At the top of the pass we saw an epic zip line more than a kilometre long and very high. I wouldn’t trade our perfect ride for a chance to try it.

Our days have been paced nicely with big climbs and descents in the morning and generally finding a place to stay by noon. This pattern was dictated mostly to avoid the afternoon rain storms. Today was different; for the first time in two weeks there was no rain.

We are slowly exploring the painted monasteries over three days while most tourists cram them all into a single day. I have no idea where they fit in nap time or painting.

Today’s monastery was Sucevița, and it had just enough of the fire of hell to please Gord and plenty of fabulous images to pease me.

At dinner tonight thrifty Gordie ordered a very cheap vegetable stew. The waitress looked unimpressed when he ordered it and asked if he would like bread to go with it; so Gordie splurged. This is what came to the table.