Bulgaria

 Bulgaria   April 28, 2023

While in Bucharest we took a day trip to Bulgaria. We passed over the Friendship Bridge that crossed the Danube River.

About an hour outside of Bucharest, we passed through both Romanian and Bulgarian Immigration. This was a very smart set up....Both countries shared a booth so that driver did not have to travel but a couple of feet from one immigration agent to the other.

 It made for a smooth and quicker process.

We  drove for another hour to the Rock Monastery St. Dimitar Basarbovski 

Larry and I climbed the steep  rock carved out stairs.

The view from the top of the monastery!

The resident cat

Paintings being much newer and were very colorful.

Larry liked this unique car...a Trabant. It was produced from 1957 until 1991 in East Germany.

We drove about a half and hour to visit the Arbanasi village, a recreation of a medieval architectural style village.

This may look like a garage, but in the past this was a gateway to bring your cart and oxen into your property.

Resident dog

Arbanassi Palace

Resort hotel in Arbanassi

Veliko Tarnova, a medieval capital of Bulgaria

Tsaravets Fortress, the strongest Bulgarian fortification of the Middle Ages

Old Communist Hotel

Communist side of Veliko Tarnovo

Asseney's Monument

This monument was built in 1985 to celebrate the rule of 

three Bulgarian brothers who ruled after the liberation 

from Byzantium slavery.

Stambolov Bridge

Museum of Fine Arts

                                                     Lunch at Shtastliveca  (The Lucky One)

Andre, our driver and tour guide, joined us for a lovely lunch.

Views from our restaurant

While driving north we passed acres and acres of  golden Canola fields used to make Canola Oil .

Roman Era Bridge

Columns entering Bulgaria

Crossing the mighty Danube River on the Friendship Bridge,  the second longest river in Europe flows from the Black Forest to the Black Sea

Passing through Bulgaria and Romanian Customs

Larry and I enjoyed spending the day in Bulgaria. We especially enjoyed all the stories that Andre, our driver,  shared with us. He was a very ambitious and entertaining young man. He made our day exciting.