Poenaru has been the overseer of the island and its buildings for 17 years. An attempt to restore the monastery has been progressing slowly because of a lack of funds. Pop star Michael Jackson stayed in Ceausescu's palace and visited Dracula's island in 1996, but didn't donate any money for the restoration. The monastery makes a little money from selling Korean-made crucifixes and postcards. Tourists probably would make donations, but boats rarely stop here any more.
Workmen seem in no hurry to repair the monastery, a neglected jewel in Romania's national heritage.
In his black robes, Poenaru comes across as a charismatic Orthodox cleric, weary with trying to get funds for the restoration. Everything depends on the state budget, and that has been cut. Romania's cash-strapped government is lining up a luxury package for foreign tourists with cash to spare and a taste for something off the beaten track, a chance to stay at palaces and villas belonging to late Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu. They will be able to relax and at the same time think this belonged to Ceausescu, who was a dictator. The tours, which will include hunting and excursions at some of the villas, will likely start next spring.