Romania 2009

The house in Lugoj (Lugos) where Bela Blasko was born in 1882, next to the church where he was baptised. He took his stage name Bela Lugosi from the town.	Paying tribute outside Bela Lugosi's birthplace (which has now become a shop). This was an essential inclusion on the Dracula Society's first visit to this area of Romania.	A toast to Bela! Lugoj was in Hungary at the time of Bela's birth, which may explain why he is sadly not acknowledged by the now Romanian town.	The Golden Crown Hotel in Bistrita. Built by Alexandru Misiuga, a great friend of the Society in its early days, who also later built the Castle Dracula Hotel.	The "Salon Jonathan Harker" at the Golden Crown.	A suitable greeting!
Reading from "The Book".	Consulting "The Book".	Decorations in the "Salon Jonathan Harker".	The Castle Dracula Hotel.	The recently erected Stoker statue.	In the vaults of the Castle Dracula Hotel. Guess what happens next!
Leaving the hotel for outdoor sunset hors d'oeuvres.	Eating and drinking by a roaring fire.	"Ring a Rosie" (or perhaps something more sinister!)	Getting ready to leave on the caleche (or is it cart?) ride in the Borgo Pass.	The road's as bumpy as it looks!	A toast to "The Count" at the Borgo Pass picnic.
On the way back.	View from the hotel gatehouse.	The intrepid group who braved the ski lift. The view was well worth it!	The hotel from the top.	Sunset over the Borgo Pass. Still a most beautiful place.	Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad Tepes Dracula. One of the best preserved walled citadels in Europe.
The plaque marking the house of Vlad Dracul, father of Vlad Dracula, which is now a restaurant.	Have your photo taken with Vlad! We're not sure how many members succumbed to this temptation......	A rather more appropriate monument to Vlad in Sighisoara.	Bran, the "fake" Dracula's Castle. It looks the part.	A fake Dracula welcome you to his fake castle.	Some of the delightful merchandise on offer at Bran Castle!
A view of the "souvenier city" now surrounding Bran Castle.	Poienari Citadel, Vlad Tepes's "real" stronghold, prepares to repel invaders.	Preparing for the assault.	The seemingly endless steps go on.......	.........and on.	View from the top.
We made it (the weather was dreadful!)	The tower at Targoviste, one of Vlad Tepes's palaces.	Yes, it was raining!	Preparing to brave "Club Dracula" in Bucharest.	An extra guest soon appeared..........	..............and the inevitable ensued!