The Danube is the longest river in the EU, flowing through 10 countries along the continent. Its Delta is part of the UNESCO Heritage and home to over 320 species of birds.
The Danube Delta area is the least populated area in temperate climate Europe, hosting an average of 2 human inhabitants per km2.
For the purpose of this expo we camped on the șontea arm and visited the Mila 23 village.
With 4 months of isolation due to ice, it’s a safe assumption that people live here in a harsh environment. It’s nature is affecting human behavior: the Danube nurtures warm and proud people.
How could they not be, with a vast majority earning a living either from fishing, either tourism. Access to any other kind of service is at least scarce, as there is no high-school, no cars, pharmacy and only a handful of stores and bars.
Despite all these, they are more in touch with today’s realities than you’d expect, as they came to learn the impact of voting the hardest way possible.
The sight of the village itself might come as a shock. After traveling with the ancient, rusty, but steady, Adriatica boat, you get to discover a rather posh village, a charming blend, a sort of grandeur of modesty.
Please bear in mind that all the construction materials can only reach Mila 23 by boat, with significant additional costs, related not only with the shipping itself, but with insurance, loading, etc.
The parking is floating and all the vehicles have propellers, as there are no cars here, only occasional motorbikes.
Life has 2 big seasons – frozen and unfrozen, with people being stuck here several months each year.
As we have said before the only way in and out of the Mila 23 village is by boat. The most used route is taking the Moldova boat from Tulcea to Crisan and then the Adriatica boat to Mila 23.
The local equivalent of Dacia Logan is called Lotca and is a long and scary slender boat that will rock on the waves until your fingernails whiten. Nevertheless, all kinds of speedboats can be admired and some even rented.
TRANSPORT
There are various accommodations in Mila 23 and you can always dive into the wild by camping on the riverbed. If so, always keep in mind that you’re in a natural sanctuary, not in a dumpster.
The camping experience allows you to fish from the first ray of lights until the last, to cook the freshly caught fish and feed the billions of existing insects. Be prepared to meet a welcome committee composed from the hungriest mosquitoes you’ve ever met, as well as some giant very wild bees.
CAMPING
Fishing is not actualy what you would expect. In this area there is little fish left in the Danube and you often hear people complaining about species going extinct.
However, with a bit of patience and the right instruments you can catch enough fish to feed yourself for a few days.
P.S. We kindly ask you to obtain the fishing permit and entrance ticket from the Tulcea Captaincy.
FISHING
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