Day 3 Monday 6 May - Orheiul Veche

Monday 6 May   Day 3

Today is a public holiday in Moldova, part of Easter for visiting cemeteries and the departed.  Roxy, the guide I had consulted via the FB page about ex-USSR, had advised that shops etc would be closed in the city, so suggested we do our day trip to Oheiul Veche today.

We left about 10:00am, and with her dad as driver, took about an hour to get there.  This is a world heritage area, with religious and historical significance.  

Ruins of a Roman-style bath house at Branesti, near Orheiul Veche.

  Overlooking the Orheiul Veche peninsular between bends in the river.  The current church and monastery are level with the fold of David's phone, the old bell tower above the cave church is the white block a bit further this way.

 The new church complex.

 There is a priest in the bell tower, ringing out a chime, and the entrance to the cave church.

This guy had set up a table at his parents' grave, with food for members of his family who had come to reminisce.  He gave us all bread doughnuts, a chocolate, and David had some of his home-made wine which was pretty potent.  Moldova's biggest export is wine, and many people make their own.

 Inside the cave church.  I have my hoodie on because I'd left my scarf at the apartment.

 Out on the cliff-face outside the church.

 This was a little museum in the village, but it was closed.

 Underneath the restaurant is the cellar, full of provisions for the winter.

 Part of our multi-course traditional lunch.

 I found a lizard.

At Curchi, the summer church.  Orthodox churches are very full of gold and frescoes and painted pictures everywhere.  Some are quite awful, but others are nice.

The winter church is smaller, with thicker walls so it's easier to heat.

On the way home we detoured to the airport.  There was no news, but the evening plane had not yet come.  Back home, we found a supermarket and bought some dinner makings.  After dinner, we checked our hand-washing from last night, and planned a bit.