Wild Carpathia is a travel documentary written and presented by Charlie Ottley. It demonstrates the scenic beauty and rich nature of the Romanian Carpathian Mountains. The documentary consists of three episodes. Wild Forever, the third part, was released in 2013.
The episode Wild Forever shows Transylvania and Moldova, the northern regions of Romania. It starts with Maramures, a region in northern Transylvania. This area can be named the heart and soul of rural Romania because ancient traditions and customs are carefully kept there despite the globalization and modernization of the world. The lifestyle of the locals leaves an unforgettable impression. People who go to Maramures come back to the past. Nothing has been changing for hundreds of years. Romanians are born, grow up, get married, work, give birth to children, and die as they did in the past. The main traditional occupations, beekeeping, and woodworking are transmitted from generation to generation. Maramures is well-known for its spellbinding wooden churches. Locals are very religious there. Religious festivals play a vital role in the lifestyle of the people of Maramures.
The cemetery known as the Happy or Merry Cemetery is very surprising. It is located in a village called Sapanta. The cemetery does not look like an ordinary cemetery. Instead of gloomy gray tombstones, there are colorful wooden crosses decorated with bright, cheery paintings and poems. There is no spirit of death; the cemetery is more about the celebration of life. Locals do not consider death to be solemn; they believe that death is a joyful moment filled with the expectations of a better life.
The Calimani National Park is one more thing to be discussed. It is a natural barrier between the Moldavia and Transylvania provinces. The Calmani National Park is one of the largest national parks in Romania; it is home to numerous species of plants and animals. The largest extinct volcanic crater in Europe is situated there. The park impresses by the beauty of its nature. There are breathtaking views and great landscapes. The park represents a truly unique place due to bizarre volcanic shapes that are located there. There are many activities to do such as hiking, equestrian tours, mountain biking, and others.
To sum up, the documentary Wild Carpathia demonstrates the culture, history, and beauty of Romania. The third episode Wild Forever shows the Northern part of Romania. Charlie Ottley, who explores the country, goes to the Maramures region that is famous due to the customs and traditions of locals. The Happy Cemetery in Maramures is a must-see because there is no other cemetery like this in the world. The Calimani National Park is another place worth visiting because of its landscapes that leave an unforgettable impression.