American travelers encounter border issues in Moldova while touring Romania

A group of nine Americans traveling the world in a former school bus recently traversed Romania as part of the Mongo Rally, an automotive competition spanning from the Czech Republic to Kazakhstan.

The travelers reported a positive experience in Romania, noting their appreciation for rural accommodations, traditional cuisine, and the scenery of the Transfăgărășan road, despite some apprehension regarding the mountain route and encounters with bears. They also noted the necessity of cash payments at certain locations.

Challenges arose at the Albița-Leușeni border crossing when entering Moldova. After passport checks, customs officials requested bus insurance and vehicle registration documents. The group faced difficulties because their registration was stored digitally on a phone and as a printed sheet, which did not satisfy the officials' requirements for traditional paper documentation.