Chisinau
Trip Start
Mar 17, 2009
1
Trip End
Mar 17, 2009
Chisinau, Moldova
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Bought a bus ticket in Odessa for a trip to Chisinau, Moldowa. Asked if the bus will go from Odessa VIA PALANCA to Chisinau, thus not through Transnistria. I often read the advice NOT TO PASS Transnistria cause this will cause problems at the border. So I was shocked when the bus arrived the border of Transnistria. Four order officials asked me to leave the bus and to follow them. We went to a small house, they locked the door and I was personal searched. Great, I was told that I have to leave the country, go back to Odessa and go via Palanca to Chisinau, UNLESS I pay 20 € (they call it a little present). So did I.
At the next border - Transnistria/Moldowa - the same problem occured again. I was told that I entered Transnistria illegaly and that I have to go back - after paying a fine, UNLESS I pay a littler higher fine / transit fee. So I had to pay 10 € (I even bargained - first they wanted 15 €) again. Thatīs what I call a rogue nation.
I was happy to be out of Transnistria, but there was the next problem. The "border" Transnistria-Moldowa is not a real border cause "Transnistria" doesnīt exist, so it is not allowed to enter Moldowa at the "border", I didnīt get a stamp in my passport.
When I arrived Chisinau (at Gara Auto Nord, the ugliest place I have EVER seen in my life) first thing I did was searching for the German Embassy and asking for help, but I didnīt find the entrance. Then I went to the Department of Foreign Affairs, they couldnīt help me and sent me to the Immigration Office, they sent me to another office and so on. Some offices later I got my stamp. UFF!!! What a day.
The remaining hours I explored Chisinau (strange city, every second building is an exchange office), sent some postcards and then went back by bus VIA PALANCA, not through Transnistria.
Comments
Hi,
it looks like you have had a great trip and you certainly have taken a lot of wonderful pictures. I was wondering if you would allow me to use them for Chisinau on http://www.mappedtravel.com? Would that be okay?
It would be even more perfect if you could add some of your discoveries to the map there :-)
Thanks,
Sandra