Bulgaria

Sozopol, Bulgaria

We spent 5 days in Sozopol, one of our planned breaks from the van. We rented an apartment with great views of the Black Sea for a very reasonable price. Prices in Bulgaria are great. 

We did have quite an adventure in old town of Sozopol. We were looking for the laundry service, made a wrong turn and ended up in the center of old town. We were stuck, didn't known how to get out and all roads were blocked with cars. With the help of a store merchant giving us some direction, then continued help along the way, we did make it. The streets are so narrow I don't know how the van fit.

 We walked the streets later. I have no idea how we found our way out.

Houses in old town appear to have been built over time with found materials.

The corner markets are everywhere. The produce is really good.

They were having an awards ceremony with performances by the winning group.

A thunder and lightening storm blew in during dinner.

The rain came down and emptied the streets.

Then the sun came back out for a beautiful sunset.

The new area of Sozopol.

 The beach

There are coffee vending machines everywhere.

 Dinner. As always the portions are large, but the food good and cheap. We went out every night we were in Sozopol.

Large fields of wheat every direction you see.

The lavender was fragrant.

More wheat.

The road to Romania. The first boarder we tried to cross was temporarily closed because their computers were down. They had been down since 3:00 PM the previous day and they had no idea when they would be fixed. We decided to try the next boarder crossing point. It was a beautiful drive on country roads. Good choice!

Bulgaria

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Plovdiv is the 2nd largest city in Bulgaria. It is a great place to visit. 

View of the city from Nebet Tepe, a hill top in old town

Nebet Tepe

Pedestrian shopping street.

Interestingly decorated buildings on the way to old town.

Lots of sculptures in the city.

 Ancient Roman Theatre, built in the 2nd century

Old town has lots of old wooden homes built in the 19th century. 

The architecture is very interesting.

 Street views of old town.

 Could not help myself, I had to take pictures of these two characters.

Serbia and Bulgaria

 Serbia and Sofia Bulgaria

Serbia was a surprise to me. I really didn't know what to expect except that the countryside would be beautiful. It was. We only spent 2 nights, just quickly passing thru the country.

Our first night was spent in the parking lot of a tourist railway station.

The next morning we road the train, the Sargen Eight. The train is named for the route it takes up the mountain side, a figure eight pattern.

The next night we spent at a campground recommended by a travel blog Bill follows.

Nina, our hostess.

Sofia, Bulgaria the capital of Bulgaria

Sofia is full of interesting buildings - old and new.

Love these elephant door handles.

They had wide pedestrian only shopping streets.

There are lots of fountains and parks.

You meet interesting people on the streets.

There are lots of roman ruins.

And we found the yellow brick road.