Though I missed Milestii Mici Winery (Guinness World Record Holder for the largest Wine Collection), the Cricova Winery experience was very good.
The countryside of Moldova was very peaceful.
What I did not like …
As usual, I cannot think of anything 🙂
Location in the World map …
Some interesting tidbits about Moldova …
Land-locked nation known for its rich Wine Culture.
Mileștii Mici is a village and an underground wine cellar complex in Moldova, renowned for holding the Guinness World Record for the largest wine collection in the world, with over two million bottles stored in a network of tunnels carved into limestone quarries.
With ancient monasteries and churches, Moldova has a deep spiritual and historical connection to monastic life, sometimes described as having more monasteries than traffic lights.
Padurea Domneasca Reserve: This nature reserve is the only place where you can find the European bison, Europe’s largest land mammal.
Despite its unique attractions and cultural wealth, Moldova is one of the least visited countries in Europe.
The arrival of a new family member is celebrated traditionally in Moldova. It is customary for the baby to be bathed for the first time by the eldest woman on the father’s side. Apart from water, they add flowers (for a nice life), honey and milk (to give the baby a sweet life) and money.
Moldova is one of the world’s largest exporters of walnuts. The local climate and soil conditions are ideal for growing walnuts. They are widely used in the local cuisine, and sweet cakes with walnut filling are very popular.
Chisinau is the smallest capital in Europe! The capital of Moldova is a city of fewer than 700,000 inhabitants and is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. It is characterised by large expanses of green lawns, antimonopolist architecture of the Soviet period, and a relaxed atmosphere. Exploring the city can make you feel like walking in the past, while it can provide and a contemporary amenities and friendly people.
Transnistria, officially known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and locally as Pridnestrovie, is a landlocked breakaway state internationally recognised as part of Moldova. Transnistria is outside the control of the Moldovan government. There is widespread military activity in Ukraine, including close to some Moldovan borders. There were explosions in the region in 2022.
Capital: Chisinau
Largest City: Chisinau
Population: 2.4M (Chisinau 0.75M)
Language: Romanian, as per the 1991 Declaration of Independence (Most young people can speak English and the rest can understand basic English)
Religion: Eastern Orthodox (95% of the population)
Currency: Moldovan Leu (1 MDL == 5.3 INR)
GDP: 20 Billion USD
National Animal: Auroch (A kind of wild Ox, which is now extinct since 1600s!)
Timeline:
Ottoman Empire, Russia Etc. > Soviet Years (1940-1990) > Declares Independence in 1991 > Joins EU in 2014.
My 1st impressions:
7C at the border. Not bad, not great 🙂
60% of the people in my bus are Ukrainians! Rest Moldovans and Romanians. Forget Indians, I do not see a single person from the Continent of Asia. Something tells me that the 1st thing I will see when I reach Chisinau is an Indian Restaurant 😉
Roads are terrible, at least near the border.
My Experiences
Chisinau Bus Depot (North Station) … Chisinau, Moldova.For a city with such a small population, the traffic is mostly quite bad … Chisinau, Moldova.A typical footpath … Chisinau, Moldova.A supposed pedestrian walkway … Near Bus Station. Totally rundown. Chisinau, Moldova.Near Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity … Two Mothers were allowing their toddlers to feed the pigeons. It was adorable to watch the toddlers get excited upon seeing the birds … Chisinau, Moldova.Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity … Very basic exterior. Chisinau, Moldova.Inside Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity … While inside this Cathedral, I was desperately trying for a reservation for Milestii Mici Tour 🙂 Ultimately, I failed in that attempt. Chisinau, Moldova.Isn’t that a beautiful garden? Chisinau, Moldova.Street signs around central Chisinau … Chisinau, Moldova.Moldovan flag in full glory … Chisinau, Moldova.A huge Moldovan flag in front of the “Government House”, a Government Complex. Chisinau, Moldova.Triumphal Arch. From 1840. Commemorating the Russo-Turkish War. Just 13m in height. Some renovation work and stage setting for a function was going on. I could not take a clear good picture due to this. Chisinau, Moldova.Inside the Museum of History … A decent museum, considering the ticket price. Chisinau, Moldova.Inside the Museum of History … A decent museum, considering the ticket price. Chisinau, Moldova.What a weird statue … Babies being fed by a dog! Outside Museum of History. Chisinau, Moldova.Entrance to the Museum of History … There were just 4 visitors, in total, including me. The ticket price is correspondingly very very low. Chisinau, Moldova.Museum of History. A helicopter and a vintage car … Chisinau, Moldova.Another set of stairs in Valea Morilor Park. It is a huge park with a central water body. Chisinau, Moldova.Liked this “Museum” … It was closed. Liked the structure, though. Chisinau, Moldova.A typical “Footpath” … Chisinau, Moldova.Valea Morilor Park: There were many families enjoying a day out. Kids were running around. Joggers were doing their thing. Chisinau, Moldova.During the walk through the park … Chisinau, Moldova.Nice fountain structure, but no water … Chisinau, Moldova.Local Tram/Bus … Chisinau, Moldova.These kind of small convenience stores are all around the town … Chisinau, Moldova.Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity has a nice park nearby … Chisinau, Moldova.A nice woodwork near Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity … Chisinau, Moldova.Parents waiting to pick up their children … A local school. Chisinau, Moldova.Was tempted by the food offerings in this N1 SuperMarket, where I went to buy beer. Chisinau, Moldova.Spoilt for choice … Which beer to buy. Chisinau, Moldova.The Moldovan Beer I ended up buying … Chisinau, Moldova.6:30am, during an early morning walk … Chisinau, Moldova.Moldovan countryside … North Moldova.Vineyards … Near Cricova, Moldova.Bottling the wines … Deep inside Cricova Winery, 100m below ground level. Cricova, Moldova.Look at the 1000s of bottles … Part of the 120km (!) underground tunnels of Cricova Winery. Cricova, Moldova.Part of the 120km (!) underground tunnels of Cricova Winery. Cricova, Moldova.Liked this mosaic … Cricova Winery, Cricova, MoldovaYuri Gagarin, the 1st human in space, was very impressed by Cricova … Cricova Winery, Cricova, Moldova.The hugely expensive Wine Collection of Cricova Winery … (Not all from Cricova). Though several folks tried to purchase some of those wines, Cricova never gave in to the temptations, so they say. Cricova, Moldova.Liked this art work … Cricova Winery, Cricova, Moldova.Cricova Winery has several different Tasting Rooms. Cricova Winery, Cricova, Moldova.Our (10:00 English Tour) Wine Tasting Room … Cricova Winery has several different Tasting Rooms. Cricova Winery, Cricova, Moldova.The 3 types of Wine they gave us 1st … Sparkling. White. Rose. Later they gave Red as well. Cricova Winery, Cricova, Moldova.The electric buggies they took us in … The ‘Red” color is a nice touch 🙂 Cricova Winery, Cricova, Moldova.View of the Old Orhei Valley … Orheiul Vechi is a natural and historical site located alongside Răut River. The natural landscape of limestone rock, eroded by the river, has archaeological remnants of the ancient Trypillian civilization.The drive was nice … It was a beautiful day! Orheiul Vechi, Moldova.Inside a traditional house in Old Orhei Village … Orheiul Vechi, Moldova.A school group was in Old Orhei Village … The kids were excited and running around. Old Orhei, Moldova.Cave Monastery, Old Orhei, Moldova. From 13th Century. Built right into the cliffside. Behind the monastery, there is a small opening onto a narrow ledge within the cliffs, providing an impressive view over the valley.The beautiful view of the valley … From the Cave Monastery, Old Orhei, Moldova.My Moldovan driver for the day … Nicolai! Old Orhei, Moldova.The Orthodox Church inside the Cave Monastery, Old Orhei, Moldova. Several Monks hang around, assisting visitors. Language barrier is there.Because it was very sunny outside, I was wearing my sunglasses. It caused issues when I was inside the Cave Monastery 😉 Old Orhei, Moldova.The Cave Monastery, Old Orhei, Moldova.Old Orhei Monastery … It looked spectacular on this sunny day. Old Orhei, Moldova.And the Monastery had a nice garden … Old Orhei, Moldova.At the restaurant, they allow their customers to take a peek at their storage room … Old Orhei, Moldova.The local restaurant where we had our lunch … Old Orhei, Moldova.The local restaurant where we had our lunch … Old Orhei, Moldova.The drive through this part of Moldova was beautiful … North of Chisinau, Moldova.Near the outskirts of Chisinau … As soon as we enter the city, the traffic gets terrible! Chisinau, Moldova.Chisinau welcoming you … 🙂 Moldova.Ciuflea Monastery … Chisinau, Moldova. An evening service was going on. The patrons seemed fully vested in the proceedings.National Hotel … From USSR times. It was a 4-Star Hotel in those days. Chisinau, Moldova.Moldovan Beer … Can version 🙂 Chisinau, Moldova.Chisinau International Airport (“RMO”) … Chisinau, Moldova.Inside Chisinau International Airport (“RMO”) … Chisinau, Moldova.Had this yummy Chicken Pastry for breakfast … Chisinau International Airport (“RMO”) … Chisinau, Moldova.During my afternoon walk through Old Orhei Village … Old Orhei, Moldova.Moldovan dishes I tasted for lunch. (1) Sarmale: Sauerkraut or vine leaves filled with rice, vegetables and meat. Unlike those served in Turkey and Greece, Moldovan Sarmale are served hot, with sour cream and pickles. (2) Cighiri: Made with Liver, Heart, Meat, Egg and Lard! Very heavy … (3) Oven-made Placinta: Wheat flour, egg, oil Etc. To be frank, I did not like any of it 🙂 That’s how it goes. You win some. You lose some. Old Orhei, Moldova.Stained glass inside Circova Winery … Cricova, Moldova.The different wines of Cricova Winery … Cricova, Moldova.The Chisinau International Airport’s Departure Hall was chaotic … They announce the gates only 25min BEFORE the departure! Chisinau, Moldova.Cricova Winery, Cricova, Moldova. The Winery’s English Tour Guide explaining the labyrinth of tunnels 😳 120+km in total and still being expanded.Curchi Monastery, Curchi, Moldova. Moldova is indeed filled with Monasteries. I personally liked this one the best. There was a Pre-Wedding Photo-Shoot going on in the garden, with the Bride doing all kinds of poses 😁 Inside the Church, where photos are not allowed, a Baptism Ceremony was going on, a very lavish one, with the attendees all dressed nicely …Moldova is hanging in there. You do see urban and fashionable kids going to college, malls Etc. You also see rundown streets and footpaths, beggars, stray dogs Etc. It was another clear day, but cold 🥶. After a tiring and long bus journey, was not at my best (Also, the Fever/Cough), but still managed to hit all the Chisinau sights I intended to hit. With just 7.5 Lakh residents, it is one of the smallest capitals in Europe, but the clogged traffic will make it appear as if 7.5 Billion people live here 😁
