“Bună ziua” dear followers, this is your favorite globe-trotting gnome, Oliver, reporting from the quaint, tranquil town of Băile Olănești, nestled in the heart of Romania. The journey of 24.6 kilometers from Vaideeni was nothing short of a symphony of nature, with the wind singing and the trees dancing along the way.

One interesting observation that strikes me about this place is the contrast between the old and the new. Amidst the backdrop of towering mountains and lush greenery, you’ll find ancient monasteries sharing the landscape with modern spa hotels. A testament, indeed, to the saying “Vechiul și noul merg mână în mână” (The old and the new go hand in hand).

As I strolled around, I was greeted with the heartwarming sight of locals enjoying a game of șah (chess) in the park, their laughter echoing in the air. I couldn’t help but imagine these checkered warriors as metaphors of life, where “Viața este ca un joc de șah, schimbându-și mereu mișcările” (Life is like a game of chess, constantly changing its moves).

On this journey, I have now traversed a total of 5715 kilometers, my footprints decorated in the soils of Petroșani, Rânca, Vaideeni, and Băile Olănești. With each passing day, my love for this journey grows. As the Romanian song goes, “Drumurile noastre toate, când o să se-ntâlnească odată…” (All our roads, when they will meet one day…), I can’t help but wonder where my next stop will be.

In the 190 days I’ve spent on the road, I’ve learned that every place has its own story to tell, its own song to sing. As we say in gnome-speak, “Un călător vede lucruri pe care gazda însăși nu le vede” (A traveler sees things that the host himself does not see).

Stay tuned, dear followers, for the next chapter of my journey is yet to be written. Until then, “La revedere” (Goodbye) and keep wandering!

-Oliver

Băile Olănești, a city of rich culture and history, is like a gem hidden in the Carpathian Mountains. Its thermal waters, known for their healing properties, have been used since the times of the Dacians and Romans. “Apa este viață” as we Romanians say, which translates to “Water is life“.

One fascinating aspect of this city is its tie to the great Romanian poet, Mihai Eminescu. In his poem “Scrisoarea III”, Eminescu mentions the “Izvoarele Nectarului”, a reference to the thermal waters of Băile Olănești.

The second intriguing fact is the city’s annual event, “Festivalul Cireselor” or “Cherry Festival“. It’s a vibrant celebration of the city’s cherry harvest, filled with traditional music, dances, and of course, cherries. The festival is a vivid display of Romanian culture, with songs echoing the likes of George Enescu, Romania’s most famous composer.

“Băile Olănești este un oraș de poveste”, meaning “Băile Olănești is a city of fairy tale“, and truly, it is!