Travels to Moldova: Chișinău
Reposted: October 14, 2024
In June 2019 I went Backpacking in Chişinău, Moldova. Chişinău was the gateway to Backpacking Transnistria, namely Tiraspol and Bender.
Transnistria is a de facto state sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine. I love exploring these places.
My first trip to Moldova was in the winter of 2013/2014. Everything was grey, drab and very cold. So I wanted to give Chişinău another chance. To see it in more favourable conditions. And I am glad I did. I had a ball in Chişinău.
In 6 days, I backpacked Chişinău, Tiraspol and Bender, slept in 3 different hostels, met lots of cool peeps and drank a shit load of beer. I was on holiday after all.
Air Moldova 834 London to Chișinău:
Transnistria is a de facto state sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine. I love exploring these places.
My first trip to Moldova was in the winter of 2013/2014. Everything was grey, drab and very cold. So I wanted to give Chişinău another chance. To see it in more favourable conditions. And I am glad I did. I had a ball in Chişinău.
In 6 days, I backpacked Chişinău, Tiraspol and Bender, slept in 3 different hostels, met lots of cool peeps and drank a shit load of beer. I was on holiday after all.
Air Moldova 834 London to Chișinău:
Arrival stamp at Chișinău International Airport KIV, Moldova:
I rode Trolleybus # 30 from the airport to central Chișinău:
I stayed 2 nights at the Amazing Ionika Hostel
Backpacking Chișinău in the rain:
Arc de Triomphe, Chișinău:
Flashback photo. Moldova December 2013:
Cathedral Nativity of the Lord, Chișinău:
Stephen the Great Monument/Stefan cel Mare si Sfant:
Moldovan post office:
Grigori Kotovski monument. He escaped from prison in Chişinău:
Memorial Complex "Eternity":
Memorial to Victims of Stalinist Repression:
Typical dinner at a popular cantina. Found all over the former Soviet empire. This lot costs me 46MDL (current rate of exchange is 1€=20MDL). Grilled veg, beans, bread and Kefir. This is at the Gălbenuș – Casa Presei, about a block and a half from the Arc de Triomphe.
Backpacking is thirsty work. In Beer Time, Chişinău with a 'local'?? beer.
How does a HF MÜNCHEN qualify as a local beer? The first night I had a Kozel which is Czech. No one drinks Moldovan beer it seems.
Beer Time is located in a cellar. Literally. I only came here cos my favourite bar of the same name, in Tbilisi. 55MDL for 500ml. I guess I'm paying for the TV and free wifi and atmosphere. There is no link to their location nor their FB page as I thought 3€ was too much and the service sucked.
How does a HF MÜNCHEN qualify as a local beer? The first night I had a Kozel which is Czech. No one drinks Moldovan beer it seems.
Beer Time is located in a cellar. Literally. I only came here cos my favourite bar of the same name, in Tbilisi. 55MDL for 500ml. I guess I'm paying for the TV and free wifi and atmosphere. There is no link to their location nor their FB page as I thought 3€ was too much and the service sucked.
Backpacking for blog posts is tiring, 'specially with 11 planned posts in just a weeks vacation. Here I am with a 15 Lev pick me up:
I then took a bus from Chisinau to Tirapsol. I backpacked Tiraspol. Had a ball:
I backpacked Transnistria's 2nd largest city, Bender:
Once back in Chişinău, I stayed again at the Amazing Ionika Hostel and a friend I made in Tiraspol was also back in town so we met up and had a few more beers together and shot the breeze.
