Arrived in Sofia. Didn’t have to go through Customs. Yikes—the alphabet!

After checking in to our hotel we went for a walk. Found this ‘Peters’ coffee kiosk.

Oktoberfest has begun!

Walked around City Gardens area.

City Gardens fountain with National Theatre.

National Theatre.

First Investment Bank building.

Statue of Sveta Sofia. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours the martyr Sophia of Rome Sept 17th each year. A statue of Lenin once stood here.

Dinner in our apartment in Sofia.

6:45 am walking to meet our van ride at 7 am to Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery. Approximately 2 hour drive.

After a very chilly chairlift ride (15 Lev each return—Can$12.50) we hit the trail.

Chilly, but beautiful!

As we climb we get views of the lakes.

In some spots we can hike right down to the lake.

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Some views we can see more than one lake at a time, especially as we gain altitude.

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Spectacular views!

Each lake has a name and we can count them as we hike along.

Getting into some more serious climbing.

The peak is in sight.

Rich has made it to the top!

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9.5 kms, 600m elevation gain.

The Rila Lakes Peak at 2657m (8757 ft)

‘The Tear’ Lake is the highest of the Seven Rila Lakes at an altitude of 2535m (8317 ft)

Feeling pretty cold coming down. Happy I brought a toque!

Map of the hike. There was a shorter hike where you didn’t see all seven lakes. We chose the longer trail.

The ski lift and hut is in view.

After an hour 45 min van ride we arrived at Rila Monastery.

The whole complex occupies an area of 8,800m2 and is rectangular in form, centred on the inner yard (3,200m2), where the tower and the main church are situated.

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View of the inside from the doorway. No photos allowed inside.

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Small adjacent village had restaurants, hotels, and kiosks. This one was selling Bulgarian donuts.

We ordered 9 donuts with chocolate sauce.

They were tasty.

Building in the village, 1866.

Walked back through the monastery to our waiting van to take us back to Sofia.

Admired the frescos one more time.

Absolutely stunning.

A great rest stop amongst the pumpkins!

Excavated remains of the old Roman City, 1-3rd Century, excavated 2010-2012 during the construction of the Serdica subway system.

Not sure what these trees are but they are beautiful!

Scored Bratwurst at Octoberfest.

Monument to the Tsar Liberator

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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

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Inside the Cathedral

Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral from the side.

Arrived in Plovdiv from Sofia by bus. Heavy rain. Short walk after checking in to our accommodation,

Rich is contemplating purchasing an umbrella?

Yup—broke down and made the purchase!

The alphabet here in Bulgaria is impossible to decipher. Fortunately most of the younger people speak English. By this sign looks like people are encouraged to learn.

In front of a wool shop!

Interesting seating for coffee.

Common here to have a vending machine for ordering takeout. Make your choice, pay, then take receipt to the window.

Huma Mosque

Plovdiv Roman Stadium, 2nd CenturyAD.

Plovdiv welcomes Judy!

Statue of Miljo

Miljo, considered to be mentally unstable, was always ready to listen to your dreams and hopes and make them come true.

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Sahat Hill Clock Tower.

View from the top

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Best EVER!

Judy & I both had the chicken with creamed spinach.

Judy visits Hans & Gretel

Lots of fountains in Plovdiv

Could this be Judy’s dessert?

Plovdiv Centre District

More than a century ago, Swiss landscape architect Lucien Chevallaz had a profound impact on Plovdiv. He introduced new plants and modern horticultural techniques .

Hike up to Alyosha (an affectionate diminutive of Aleksey) is an 11-metre (36-foot) tall reinforced concrete statue of a Soviet soldier on Bunarjik Hill in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The statue tops a 6-metre (20-foot) pedestal lined with granite. The memorial commemorates Soviet casualties incurred during the Germany occupation of Bulgaria (which had been an Axis ally) in World War II. It was installed in 1954-57.

On the hike up.

We’ve reached the monument at the top

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View from the top

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The Singing Fountain. Light & sound show closed for the season.

Took a 2 hour free walking tour. Climbing up to Old Town.

Church of St Constantine and Helena

Nebet Tepe believed to be first settled by the Thracians in 4000 BC. Due to the remains on the hill the city of Plovdiv is considered the oldest living city in Europe

Beautiful sunny day. 17C.

View from Old Town.

City Gallery Old Town

Sasha ‘the sweetheart’. Gifted violinist.

Ancient Theatre. Most well preserved Ancient Roman Theatre in the world. Still used today.

Church of the Holy Mother of God.

Beautiful mural in Plovdiv.

This lady’s bike will show up in the dark!

Night view in central Plovdiv.

Chef salad with tuna for Judy.

Chef salad with chicken for Dolly.

Rich enjoyed the meatballs. We shared a half litre of red wine Can$11. We have been impressed with the wine in Bulgaria

Roman Stadium in Plovdiv. Constructed 1st century AD. Currently still in use.

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An excellent viewpoint to see this by taking stairs down from the street.

Ancient Roman stadium remains beneath the H&M store in Plovdiv were discovered in 2016 during construction works for the shopping center. We could access this by entering the H&M store and taking stairs down.

After a 2 hr 10 min bus ride we arrived back in Sofia from Plovdiv. Took the Metro and checked in to our apartment. Very nicely decorated and comfortable. 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms.

Our host gifted us a bottle of Bulgarian white wine.

Right in the centre of Sofia for our final 3 days in Bulgaria with rain expected. Easy access to the airport by Metro.

Another view of Statue of Sveta Sofia. 100m from our apartment

Court Hall

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So many fountains in Sofia.

Cultural Centre.

Simeon Radev, Bulgarian writer and journalist. “Did I give anything to Bulgaria”

Samardzhiiska Church, medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church, built during the early years of Ottoman rule (late 14th century). Major earthquake 1858 then reconstructed 1864.

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Frescoes from various periods, including the 14th, 15th, 17th, and 19th centuries

Bulgarian rose oil, is considered one of the most expensive essential oils in the world. The high cost is primarily due to the process of harvesting the flowers—thousands of petals are needed to produce just a small amount of oil. It takes about 3,000 to 5,000 kilograms of petals to extract just one kilogram of pure rose oil.

Saint Petka of the Saddlemakers Church, Medieval Bulgarian Orthodox Church, built by the guild of saddlers (masters of preparing packsaddles) during the Ottoman period. The church was partially rebuilt in the 14th century with bricks and stones.

Sofia Public Mineral Baths, now Sofia History Museum. The baths opened on May 1, 1913, equipped with all modern facilities and water treatment. It served as a central public bath until 1988. In 1998, the building became the home of the Sofia History Museum.

Central Sofia Market Hall originally built in 1910-1911. Bombed in 1944 and rebuilt in 1988-2000.

Main floor: Inside the market, actually a huge grocery store on the main floor, pictures of the history & cafes on the upper floor. The lower floor is a free museum & more shops.

Another view of the main floor.

Stopped in our tracks upon seeing this sign on the sidewalk! CHIMNEY CAKE! Sign displays various toppings, description and instructions for eating. This kiosk displayed awards for their chimney cakes.

Bought an extra large for the 3 of us to share 😋 10 Lev Can$8.30. Delicious!

Stopped for a Cappuccino after our Chimney Cake treat. No rain during our walk. A bit windy, 8C.