Miklosvar, Romania (Day trip to Lake St. Anne)
The Nest
Canopy of Vines
Storks
Our visit to Count Kalnoky's guesthouses was a treat for us. It was to be a vacation at the end of the vacation. We had decided to take the all-inclusive offer (which was a bit pricey, but well worth it). The all-inclusive covered all meals, as well as a tour every day. Our tour for the day was to visit an old volcano. The volcano has been inactive for just about forever, but it is famous for its post-volcanic activity. Our guide picked us up after breakfast and we sped down tiny Romanian roads as we headed towards the Carpathians.
Post Volcanic Activity
Bubbling Baths
Bubbling
An Old Path
Sulphur Water
Sulphur Gas
The Mud Bath
In the Grass
Family Fun
The Baths
Our first stop was at some special baths. The water and the gas bubbling through came from the remnants of the volcanic activity. We saw orange water that was tainted with iron, and a room filled with sulphur gas. A family was over enjoying another pool and the two boys were playing in the water, and a nearby mud bath. We were told that the pools were not used much in the communist era, but before and after they were/are used for their medicinal benefits. During the communist era the baths were forgotten... That kind of thing just wasn't important when you needed to paint your grass green in November, or hang apples from your trees in February.
The Climb
Monument
The Mofat
The Sulphur Cave
Looking Out
In the Depths
The Mofat
Sulphur
After seeing the pools we continued up the mountains a bit to where there is a spa. We continued on foot up the mountain and came to a mofat. Yes, the word was new to me too, but a mofat is a sulphur cave. The cave entrance is at neck height so that you can go into the cave and sit on benches while letting your entire body sit in sulphur gas. This might sound a bit strange but it is supposed to help with cardiovascular issues. You might think that there is no way to know if it works... well... that might be true, but you can certainly tell it is doing something as you could feel a strange head on your back, butt, and if applicable... balls. The sign on the cave said that the gas was 98% CO2 and that there were over 3000 m3/day flowing from the cave.
Our guide told us that he had lived in America for a time and that he had visited British Columbia and Bella Coola during his stay. In the communist era he was a professional mountaineer and he was able to climb mountains all over Romania for a living. Now, he gives tours half the year and for the other half he (and his dogs) go truffle hunting.
At the car we continued up the mountain, to the very summit. This mountain is very special. It was once a great volcano and at its top is a double caldera. Two craters. One crater is made solely of rock and fills with rain water to make Lake St. Anne. The other crater is much larger, and as the other caldera erupted it filled with ash. Some ash sank in the water that filled the crater, and some floated. Since then the caldera has filled with a great bog, floating on the hidden lake. There are very few nutrients in the bog, and trees that may be three hundred scarcely come up to my shoulder.
A View
Lake St. Anne
No hitting deer with sticks... and no love!
Our first stop was at a lookout where we could see all of Lake St. Anne, and then when we were allowed (we needed to wait until the park ranger was going into the bog) our guide led the way and we headed into the larger, second caldera. The tour group was behind us, and the ranger spoke only Romanian, so we stuck with our guide ahead of the pack. As I said, very few nutrients, and what that means in the scope of evolution is that you find some interesting things... like insectivorous plants... all over the place. We saw the plants, the tiny trees, and some blue and raspberries scattered about. We followed our guide along a boardwalk as we went in one end and out the other.
Into the Second Caldera
Insectivorous Plants
A Pond in the Bog
Our Guide on the Path
The Sflection
Bog Path
Back to the car, and driving. We were not driving far this time, but we drove up and around the very rim of the caldera containing Lake St. Anne. The view was unbelievable as our guide pulled out a picnic packed by the staff at the guest houses. I ate wiener schnitzel on fresh bread as Chloe enjoyed fruits and cheese. What a spot to sit, and what a picnic!
Car on the Volcano
The View of Transylvania
Feeling satiated we trekked down though the forest and into the volcano's crater. We made our way to the very edge of the lake and, having changed into our swimming trunks behind some trees, headed into the water.
The Trees
Lake St. Anne
The Lake
Swimming in a Volcano
Me!
Swimmer
From the Depths
Spectacular. The water was warm and clean and clear (though with a redish hue). We swam in the cool water, and enjoyed the escape from the hot day. Swimming. Floating (attempted in my case). Just chilling.
Spectacular.
Out of the water, back to the car, back to Miklosvar. Rush hour. Supper (with more guests this time).
The Dining Room
The Second Table
Sunset in Miklosvar
Sleep.
Miklosvar's Coat of Arms
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