Episode Six - The Big Transylvanian Special

Join Ileana, a medium-sized Ukulele and myself for this new edition of the Ukulele Road Trips Podcast, in Transylvania !! It is set in one of it's fine jewels, the "crown-city" of Brasov. Or Kronstadt, as a certain Johannes would say...

With a fine tour-guide and a slightly "minte creața"  host, stroll around the castles and magical forests, as well as through the German streets of Brașov. You might not get too many vampires, but a local legend, as well as a very (very) special interview inside the "Black Church" !

Pictured above: The Brașov town square, the black church, Tour-guide Ileana with a few tourists, Johannes saying "Verdammt Elizabeth, I forgot my reading glasses on the entrance table again, throw them over", the "crown and the tree", the town crest, the Black Church Organ, and the studio for this podcast, the Kis Met Dao Hostel.

Many thanks once again to Ileana for this entertaining and instructive podcast. Don't forget join her on the Walkabout Free Tour Brașov when you come to these parts!

I nicked the organ bit here. Steffen Schlandt, Eckart's son is on the organ's four keyboards.

Episode Number Five - Romania and Bucharest

It has happened ! The Ukulele Road Trips Podcast has made it to  a new country ! It's a gift-(w)rapped Romania and Bucharest special, with exciting present and varied past.

From French Pâtisseries to North-Korean style buildings, from car-driving pre-Romans to the challenges ahead, let Romanians Claudia and Marius introduce the country and capital of this fine Eastern Latin Land.

Pictured above: Views of and from the Palace "of the People",  a couple of views in Bucharest and one of the 'moved it moved it' churches in the city center.

Do check out Marius's website www.tourofcommunism.com for more in-depth articles about XXth century Romania !

The Big Seaside Special - from Varna

Traditional singing, and tasty typical drinks in this one ! A big serving of coastal knowledge, fun facts and, beautiful Bulgarian songs performed on the Tambura !

Let Denitsa and Martin take you on a Black Sea adventure, while the flowery and talented fifteen year-old Polina charms and dazzles you with classical Bulgarian melodies.

The very last episode from Bulgaria is packed with special stuff ! From live recordings of a Women's choir to a song about the necessity of trade when you build a Greek colony, it's got it all !!

Pictured above, Polina with my ukulele, the podcast gang, the women's choir and Varna here and there.

The Cracking Bulgarian Easter Special - From Plodiv, Bulgaria

Cracking eggs, cracking fun and all things Plovdivian, with this Easter special !!

Two great guests and a live audience (yes it's true, and he's very nice), plus, songs !

"It's so egg-citing, seeing which egg the beater will be, It's so egg-xilerating, seeing which egg the beater will beat.

So many colourful shells before me, but only one will be, the hero of this day, I say,

Bulgarian Easter is coming your way!"