Über Galați nach Tulcea

On Monday morning (16.10.2017) we set off again. With Alina accompanying us, we walk to Auto Gara in Focşani. The bus to Galați leaves at half past twelve, and after convincing the driver to take Rango with us, we are allowed to settle in the two front seats. It takes us 3 hours to cover the nearly 90km, and in the afternoon Galați welcomes us in an extensive housing estate. I decide to go to the Danube riverbank first and pay a visit to some old acquaintances after almost 3 months. We spend a few moments on the promenade and then head towards the old town. Near Piața Centrală, I meet up with Dorian, who had offered to help me on the bus ride. I had hoped to spend a night at his place, but that's not going to happen. We spend some time in a nearby pub and then take a taxi to look for accommodation for Rango and me. Finally, we find something on the northern outskirts of Galați, above a car wash. The evening ends here for Rango, he can go to sleep. Dorian offers to show me something of 'his city'. Sounds good, so we make our way towards the city center. We stop again at a small bar and have beer and coffee. Dorian tells me he was born in Ukraine, served in the foreign legion, and shows me his French passport. He had spent 3 years in a Turkish prison as a young man and had had some involvement with the mafia. But 'his city' seems to be limited to the establishment where we are currently staying, as he doesn't show me any more of Galați. As it turns out, he and 'his guys' are waiting for a cocaine delivery, which he tells me when saying goodbye (presumably to persuade me to stay). I decline and make my way back to Rango alone, who greets me happily upon arrival.

On Tuesday, we continue our journey to Tulcea. Our departure is slightly delayed because my ID card, which I had to leave behind the previous evening, cannot be found for a short time. Once the problem is solved, I set off with the Fat One, across Galatz, to the ferry to I. C. Brătianu on the other side of the Danube. On the way, we take a longer break for a late but extended breakfast. Around 2:00 p.m., we board the car ferry. On the other side, the minibus to Tulcea is already waiting, but the driver refuses to take us. I decide to try again with the next regular bus, which departs about an hour later, and if that doesn't work, to try hitchhiking. With the help of another passenger, I manage to convince the next bus driver to take us, and we reach Tulcea around half past four. After the rather expensive pleasure of the previous evening, the decision to camp somewhere in the wild is quickly made, and I use the evening to stroll around 'the gateway to the Danube Delta'. Tulcea is also largely characterized by housing estates, there is no old town by the Danube. I enjoy the sunset on the promenade and set up camp on a playground by Lake Ciuperca, so I don't even have to set up my tent for the night.