One of the things we really wanted to do as part of our Danube Delta tour, described here, was to visit the Letea forest to see the forest, the wild horses and also the dunes. Our guide cannot take us on the shore but he has booked a tour for us at a specified time. This is why we are not stopping that much on the way to Letea, to ensure we get on time for our on shore tour.
As we approach Letea there are quite a few birds on the shore from Grey Wagtails to Grey Herons and we enjoy watching them as slowly we are making our way to the dock.
We then wait for a cow to pass in front of us, it seems they are quite used to the area and know how to swim from side to side.
We then pass a group of horses enjoying the water’s edge and then slowly dock near a few other boats, there are many tourists here for the Letea tour.
And now it is time to wait, we are a bit early or the truck is late, we are not sure. So we walk a bit on the shore to stretch our legs as we wait for the truck to arrive.
At least we already see a few more horses and a gaggle of ducks in the area while waiting for the truck to finally arrive.
We see some people taking rides using horse drawn carriages and we hope we do not get downgraded but finally the truck arrive and on we go.
We pass first through the small village we arrived in which has some nice houses and then some abandoned ones, quite the mix.
And then we reach the outskirts with a panel explaining the fact that Letea Forest is protected, at this point we are not sure, are we there yet? And soon we learn that no, we still have a way to go.
And on we go following dusty dirt roads until finally we turn on a side road and the driver goes to open a locked gate, we have arrived!
Surprisingly we haven’t encountered any other trucks till here but now we are meeting quite a few, there might be a limit on how many can enter the protected area so as we arrive they are leaving. And then it is time for a walk to visit the forest.
The forest is the oldest nature reserve in Romania. While the attraction for the people are the old oaks it protects a large area with a subtropical aspect with many special birds and plants. it is a bit unfortunate that most people are just looking for shade instead of enjoying the forest, not sure why they are here if they are just looking at the phone in the shade?
There are also a few trails that you have to explore with the guide, some leading to a dune area which is a major attraction for most tourists, based on how many photos are taken here compared to other locations.
Part of the trails are elevated to avoid marshy terrain but given that it is bone dry some people go on the elevated trail and some on the ground near it. And then soon it is over and we have to return to the truck. But we still have one sight to see, the wild horses of Letea and the truck continues to explore the area a bit more until finally finding them near some fields. And now satisfied we can return back to the village for lunch.
We return on a slightly different route passing abandoned houses and new churches. As always we wonder how there is so much money for churches but not for the people in the area. We can understand that maybe in medieval times, but now?
There is one more stop at Salty Lake, a lake that appeared suddenly when a spring of salt water made its way through the layer of sand. It is so salty in fact that you cannot sink in it and is used for swimming lesson for local children.
Then it is time for lunch and we are ready for it as we are quite hungry. Same as the last days the dish is fish, lots of fish. Soup of fish and then fish prepared in a few different ways. All the trucks seem to stop at this restaurant which makes it quite busy but at least it is clean and has restrooms so we cannot complain.
Besides fish you can eat bread or the garnishes which is what our relative does as she doesn’t like fish. And the plentiful sweets are also a plus for her so at least she doesn’t starve.
And then after we are full it is back to the docks to board our boat again for the return trip to Murighiol, described here.
