Aug 29 2025

What does one do in Debrecen Hungary? International half court basketball of course. 

But first a train start for the day. Three separate trains, one with a tight connections, first from Eger back to Fuzesabony then Nyiregyhaza then on to Debrecen. Apparently the circuitous route was required because of track works. The benefits of a tour guide definitely came into play here making the connections, however, multiple people were very helpful making sure we transferred onto the correct train. 

Debrecen was interesting for the design of the town square. Instead of the manicured flowers it appeared they had planted more native grasses and plants. And the water feature was refreshing on such a hot day. 

Debrecen was also the seat of the Calvanist church, such that it has been dubbed the Calvanist Rome. The church was typical austere Calvanist. 

Very good authentic pizza for lunch. Apparently the chef had participated in the pizza Olympics!

Also happening was in international half court basketball competition, including competitors from Ulaanbaatar! 

Our drive from there took us up into the Carpathian Mountains in the Maramureş region of northern Romania, just near the Ukrainian border. It was quite strange looking across the river at what is Ukraine. Even though the war is so far away it still has its effects here as it has closed the normally very open border between the villages in this region. 

A striking feature of the region was the old fashioned hay stacks and the manual cultivation of the hay. Straight out of a Monet painting. 

Our destination was the very comfortable Pensiunea Ardelean with the added enjoyment of our host, Ramona’s, excellent cooking.