Iasa ---------------- Chernivsi (Muldova)

View from our 15th floor apt

This part of the trek is where vital pieces of the route planning are highlighted by our local Sherpa, Andrei. He not only tells us that we need to go in a large zigzag manner (looks like a large M) to Chernivsi, but cycles with us 50km to ensure we leave Romania and have no problems at the border. As we have a delicious breakfast in our bellies, as well as some schnapps, we ride well and arrive in Chernivsi at 20:30; approx 7.5 hours biking.
Meet our host, Ramin, and enjoy a beer and sandwiches with him and his brother and his friend. Muldova hospitality matches all the other places on our voyage.

Hello, Mr. Ambassador

Next day, we look around the city: old part, government buildings, parks, US embassy (Andrew is homesick) and sweet shops. We meet with another couchsurfer, Victoria, and her friends. Head back to her place where we get free haircuts, which come with our choice of free shirts! Looking fantastic, we head out to THE bar of Chernivsi - EliPlli - with Victoria and friends. She is really well connected with all the movers and the shakers and soon we are talking with people from various backgrounds including sustainable agriculture and lawyers. I am informed that I am now officially the fourth Irish person in Muldova. We are also invited to parties in Odessa and Chernivsi in the coming days. Baga-mali! (Pump it up!). Also told by many people not to give bribes to the border security guards to Transnistria (our next destination).
Unfortunately, have to skip karaoke this time, due to an early start the next day for Ramin and us.