Sep 13, 2009 - Sofia to Veliko Turnovo

Walked through the main street of town which changes its name six times in less than a mile as it winds up, down, and around the curves of the city that hugs a shear steep river ridgeline that does numerous hairpin curves.Walked through the main street of town which changes its name six times in less than a mile as it winds up, down, and around the curves of the city that hugs a shear steep river ridgeline that does numerous hairpin curves....

Sep 11, 2009 - Rila Mountains and Monastery

We left our bags at our hotel in Sofia to visit what our guide book described as the best hiking and scenery in Bulgaria: the thickly forested mountains of Rila. ... This area also houses the Rila Monastery designated as a world patrimony site by UNESCO. ... Rila Monastary is a beautiful architectural site in a tranquil natural setting. ... The return bus ride from Rila to Sofia was an example of ancient intelligence; if one of the four rear tires blows out, just drive slower to complete the two kour journey in four ! Relax, relax. ...

Sep 6, 2009 - Border Crossing, Birds, and Busses

After 'hookah' lunch with Zlatka & her mom in Istanbul, we rode with them to Burgas. ... Went birding to nature reserve on Saturday, though learned we missed the southern migration of 10's of thousands of storks by two days ! Sunday went to Nessebar; an almost island town of 10,000 on the Black Sea coast north of Burgas. ... It's history goes back more than 5,000 years.After 'hookah' lunch with Zlatka & her mom in Istanbul, we rode with them to Burgas. ... Went birding to nature reserve on Saturday, though learned we missed the southern migration of 10's of thousands of storks by two days ! Sunday went to Nessebar; an almost island town of 10,000 on the Black Sea coast north of Burgas. ... It's history goes back more than 5,000 years....

Aug 26, 2009 - Sofia

Early rise 7. Made our last service stop before hitting Sofia to a Mac'as. ... Left the stop and arrived in Sofia, completed a walking tour, supa boring. ...

Aug 17, 2009 - Sofia ~ Bulgaria

When we arrived at the train station in Istanbul, we were somewhat surprised to see a rundown, unairconditioned train awaiting us - we were heading further into Europe for goodness sakes'! Alas, with the warm wind in our hair and after numerous stops at the border, we made it the next morning to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, a member of the EU since 2007. ... Our first stop in a country using the cyrillic alphabet, Chris studied up on the train, always the prepared one :) We found Sofia to be an interesting capital - full of beautiful churches on every corner, neat and quiet streets criss-crossed by rammbling trams, and some old Communist-era buildings. ... We only spent three nights in Sofia, but easily could have spent more. ...

Jul 15, 2009 - Veliko Tarnovo

It was about a 3 hour drive west across Bulgaria to the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo.It was about a 3 hour drive west across Bulgaria to the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo....

Jul 14, 2009 - Varna

Despite my misgivings Varna hasn't turned out to be too bad, I guess there must be some reason its Bulgaria's most popular destination for tourists and natives alike. ... Varna is a cosmopolitan hub, and the fastest growing city in Bulgaria. ... The nicest bowling alley I have ever seen, not that I have been into one in the last 10 years, and they even provided brand new socks to go with the shoes! Poor Luke has had a rather rude introduction to sleeping in dorms with his first night ever in a 6 bed mixed-dorm here in Varna;. ...

Jul 13, 2009 - Into Bulgaria

Luke and I spent our last day in Kusadasi at the Aqua Fantasy Water Park (despite what you are thinking NO apparantly you are never too old). From the city we caught the Metro out to the bus station and at 8pm jumped on the coach to head into Bulgaria, first stop the town of Varna on the Black Sea. ... It was a looong drive, with a freezing 2 hour stop at 1am for immigration, and we arrived in Varna at 5am with not a soul in sight. ... Because we were going to be arriving so early we had made a reservation through a hostel booking website so check into a place that sounded pretty good.Luke and I spent our last day in Kusadasi at the Aqua Fantasy Water Park (despite what you are thinking NO apparantly you are never too old). From the city we caught the Metro out to the bus station and at 8pm jumped on the coach to head into Bulgaria, first stop the town of Varna on the Black Sea. ... It was a looong drive, with a freezing 2 hour stop at 1am for immigration, and we arrived in Varna at 5am with not a soul in sight. ... Because we were going to be arriving so early we had made a reservation through a hostel booking website so check into a place that sounded pretty good....

Jun 20, 2009 - Varna Heat Wave

Hello to all of you. Thank god we are resting in Varna for some time because I forgot what is was like to get sun stroke. ... Krzys and Krista have been taking good care of me as well as some Aussies who have been supplying me with electrolytes.Hello to all of you. Thank god we are resting in Varna for some time because I forgot what is was like to get sun stroke. ... Krzys and Krista have been taking good care of me as well as some Aussies who have been supplying me with electrolytes....

Jun 12, 2009 - Bulgaria

We are here.We are here....

Apr 28, 2009 - Sofia

We got on the bus this morning and headed to Bulgaria. We arrived in the capital city, Sofia, and took a walk around. ... We went inside a church, and walk past some other cool buildings, including one with musical notes on top.We got on the bus this morning and headed to Bulgaria. We arrived in the capital city, Sofia, and took a walk around. ... We went inside a church, and walk past some other cool buildings, including one with musical notes on top....

Mar 26, 2009 - Bulgariasaurus

Wow, this place is so interesting. I'm so curious about Sofia. ... I don't know where I am, still in central Sofia I assume. ... I could not walk normal.Wow, this place is so interesting. I'm so curious about Sofia. ... I don't know where I am, still in central Sofia I assume. ... I could not walk normal....