In the heart of Transylvania, Romania lies a mountain area that is still little known: the Apuseni Mountains (the "mountains at the sunset"), also known (in geography books) as Western Carpathians. These mountains are a world unto itself. Comprising a large variety of geographical forms, not very high (the highest peak is 1849 metres asl) but with impressive karstic landscapes and traditional livelihoods, hosting a rich fauna and flora, they are unique in Romania and, in many respects, in Europe.  The local, native inhabitants are called Motzi and they live here permanently, in smaller or larger hamlets, some of them situated even at altitudes of over 1600 metres. The landscape of these mountains is among the last forested karstic landscapes in Europe. Caves, potholes, sinkholes, gorges, karstic glades covered mainly conifer but also deciduous forests. Casa de Piatra ("Stone House") is a remote hamlet somewhere in the heart of these mountains, in a picturesque...