June 28th. The Taj Mahal at 6am, a wonderful sight. The Taj Mahal itself was smaller that I thought it would be, but a very peaceful experience. The biggest hustle was to get a photo on the Princess Diana seat - I managed to get one.
Then we then faced a journey to Lucknow. After taking a wrong turning we found our way on the road to Varanasi so we carried on and are here for 3 nights. It was a long and tiring drive from Agra involving a 2 hour wait on the highway for an accident to be cleared following monsoon rains. We left Agra at 9am and arrived at 2.30 am!!! We explore Varanasi today and tomorrow.
We have played a naughty game to pass away the time on the bus, counting the number of people we see peeing in the street, we had quite a number after 18 hours!!
We go to the Ganges tonight to view the funeral pyres and then to the various religious ceremonies that go on.
Hot and sticky here, and it is great to have Anthony back from hospital, he flew here from Delhi yesterday looking very thin.
Speak soon.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Friday, 27 June 2008
India
The highlights and lowlights of the first week in India has been the great contrast between the countryside and hills and the filth and pollution of the cities. We have also faced a lot of illness with another two of us being admitted to hospital in Delhi with the dreaded Delhi belly!!
The Golden Temple in Amritsar (22nd) was another breathtaking stop where we saw the kitchens and food production machine in full swing. The Temple produces 15,000 free meals every day!! People also go there to pray of course!
During all this time my stomach was letting me down and I needed to ensure toilets were nearby!!! Indeed for the whole week.
Then to the black hole of Delhi (23rd). I can’t believe how many people go to the toilet in the streets in India (number ones and two's).
I was relieved to get to the Tiger Reserve at Corbett in the north on the 24th. I booked two safaris and saw loads of monkeys, water buffalo and elephants, but NO tigers (saw footprints though). We think the guides must have put them in before we drove off.
The camp was great with some really big rats being spotted, one in a bedroom. I also cornered a massive spider and fought with it. I eventually won the fight and a friend caught it and put it outside to fight another day. Breakfast at camp was also good, baked beans!!
Coming back to Delhi (26th) was not something I looked forward to. I prefer the tranquil side of India but people are still friendly everywhere. Last night I shared an 8 hour taxi tour which was a nightmare. We managed to get fined for parking - we had to pay the fine. And everywhere we wanted to go we were told "It is closed" or "There is no parking there'. We decided to come home early and complain about our hotels instead. Hotels have been a real mixed bunch of experiences. We expected better in India but have not got a good deal. Dirty rooms, bed linen, towels, and squashed insects and geckos on the floors - does this build character?
Another highlight this week that I only just remembered was when a colleague decided he would empathise with the locals and also have a pee in the street. He also thought he could have his own back by then shaking hands with the locals without washing his hands. Good man!!
Today we travel to Agra and visit the Taj Mahal tomorrow morning. I hope the hotel is good!
I finish now by saying "Thank God for rehydration salts and Imodium".
Best wishes to all.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar (22nd) was another breathtaking stop where we saw the kitchens and food production machine in full swing. The Temple produces 15,000 free meals every day!! People also go there to pray of course!
During all this time my stomach was letting me down and I needed to ensure toilets were nearby!!! Indeed for the whole week.
Then to the black hole of Delhi (23rd). I can’t believe how many people go to the toilet in the streets in India (number ones and two's).
I was relieved to get to the Tiger Reserve at Corbett in the north on the 24th. I booked two safaris and saw loads of monkeys, water buffalo and elephants, but NO tigers (saw footprints though). We think the guides must have put them in before we drove off.
The camp was great with some really big rats being spotted, one in a bedroom. I also cornered a massive spider and fought with it. I eventually won the fight and a friend caught it and put it outside to fight another day. Breakfast at camp was also good, baked beans!!
Coming back to Delhi (26th) was not something I looked forward to. I prefer the tranquil side of India but people are still friendly everywhere. Last night I shared an 8 hour taxi tour which was a nightmare. We managed to get fined for parking - we had to pay the fine. And everywhere we wanted to go we were told "It is closed" or "There is no parking there'. We decided to come home early and complain about our hotels instead. Hotels have been a real mixed bunch of experiences. We expected better in India but have not got a good deal. Dirty rooms, bed linen, towels, and squashed insects and geckos on the floors - does this build character?
Another highlight this week that I only just remembered was when a colleague decided he would empathise with the locals and also have a pee in the street. He also thought he could have his own back by then shaking hands with the locals without washing his hands. Good man!!
Today we travel to Agra and visit the Taj Mahal tomorrow morning. I hope the hotel is good!
I finish now by saying "Thank God for rehydration salts and Imodium".
Best wishes to all.
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Lahore & the border closing ceremony
We travelled to Lahore yesterday (20th) and saw the Gadaffi Cricket Stadium where Pakistan play cricket (a religion here). I was ill on the bus, had the runs and was sick. TERRIBLE!! I went straight to bed and only surfaced today at 4:30.
Our last night in Pakistan was a real treat. I was well enough to go to the Wagha border crossing to see the ceremonial closing of the gates between India and Pakistan. A lot of shouting and singing from both sides and the soldiers all dressed up in dress uniform. It was a great laugh to see grown men in costume pull faces, stamp their feet at each other, flashing their guns, the whites of their teeth and also saluting! We were cheering for Pakistan as we were given places of honour on the Pakistan side. It was an amazing experience. On the way home loads of people asking us about what we think of Pakistan and who performed the best at the crossing.
Our last night in Pakistan was a real treat. I was well enough to go to the Wagha border crossing to see the ceremonial closing of the gates between India and Pakistan. A lot of shouting and singing from both sides and the soldiers all dressed up in dress uniform. It was a great laugh to see grown men in costume pull faces, stamp their feet at each other, flashing their guns, the whites of their teeth and also saluting! We were cheering for Pakistan as we were given places of honour on the Pakistan side. It was an amazing experience. On the way home loads of people asking us about what we think of Pakistan and who performed the best at the crossing.
Monday, 23 June 2008
Equipment, camping and passing the time
Responses to some questions I have received:
Most of the equipment I brought was spot on but too many clothes - 2 pairs of trousers, some flip flops and 2 shirts would have been fine. Just wash and wear. I did bring 2 novels which I have not started to read as I want to see the world go by (I have now lost the books as they were too heavy to carry). I also made a mistake buying a new tent as after Europe we don’t need our own tents and have been encouraged to give them away to anyone who needs them - Australia will be our next camping site and we use pre erected tents there.
The camping went well but we often arrived late at the campsites and were in a hurry to put the tent up before dark. The campsites have all been okay, but there was sometimes a shortage of proper toilets. People out here seem to prefer the hole in the floor type of loo and it takes a bit of practice especially when caught with stomach cramps and the Delhi Belly!
In camp we have usually catered for ourselves and I have been busy on the cooking team. Plenty of pasta and rice dishes have been the order of the day and we even endured an evening meal of mash and hot dog sausages!! Yuck, but tasty given we were really hungry.
Some of the journeys through Iran and Pakistan have been long and tiring. The longest being 18 hours to cross the border to Pakistan. We have played ‘Guess the famous person’, Battleships, done crosswords, quizwords and even ‘I Spy’ which was very difficult when looking out at Pakistani desert for over 12 hours.
We also stopped at a village in the middle of the desert at the end of a sand storm. We had drinks and discovered we were standing in the local mosque which was a few bricks and stones forming an outline on the floor. The locals were very forgiving. It was also strange being in the village in the dark, so quiet and hearing voices in the distance talking away.
The group have known about me being a vicar since the first week of the journey and I have had several interesting conversations. Covering subjects like homosexuality, spirituality, guilt, the trinity, the Catholic Church and church’s wealth. People really do want to talk about these and many other issues. I have found the conversations with lapsed Catholics and some of the Muslims especially rewarding. Today (19th), talked to our local guide about faith, he was quite gened up about things and I felt he was very defensive of Islam. Okay by me as I defended my faith too.
Most of the equipment I brought was spot on but too many clothes - 2 pairs of trousers, some flip flops and 2 shirts would have been fine. Just wash and wear. I did bring 2 novels which I have not started to read as I want to see the world go by (I have now lost the books as they were too heavy to carry). I also made a mistake buying a new tent as after Europe we don’t need our own tents and have been encouraged to give them away to anyone who needs them - Australia will be our next camping site and we use pre erected tents there.
The camping went well but we often arrived late at the campsites and were in a hurry to put the tent up before dark. The campsites have all been okay, but there was sometimes a shortage of proper toilets. People out here seem to prefer the hole in the floor type of loo and it takes a bit of practice especially when caught with stomach cramps and the Delhi Belly!
In camp we have usually catered for ourselves and I have been busy on the cooking team. Plenty of pasta and rice dishes have been the order of the day and we even endured an evening meal of mash and hot dog sausages!! Yuck, but tasty given we were really hungry.
Some of the journeys through Iran and Pakistan have been long and tiring. The longest being 18 hours to cross the border to Pakistan. We have played ‘Guess the famous person’, Battleships, done crosswords, quizwords and even ‘I Spy’ which was very difficult when looking out at Pakistani desert for over 12 hours.
We also stopped at a village in the middle of the desert at the end of a sand storm. We had drinks and discovered we were standing in the local mosque which was a few bricks and stones forming an outline on the floor. The locals were very forgiving. It was also strange being in the village in the dark, so quiet and hearing voices in the distance talking away.
The group have known about me being a vicar since the first week of the journey and I have had several interesting conversations. Covering subjects like homosexuality, spirituality, guilt, the trinity, the Catholic Church and church’s wealth. People really do want to talk about these and many other issues. I have found the conversations with lapsed Catholics and some of the Muslims especially rewarding. Today (19th), talked to our local guide about faith, he was quite gened up about things and I felt he was very defensive of Islam. Okay by me as I defended my faith too.
Friday, 20 June 2008
Iran, police escorts, and delightful Pakistan
Forgot to mention that in Yazd we visited a mosque and we were fascinated by the Zoroastrian Fire Temple which has a fire that has been burning for over 1500 years! In Kerman discovered an Anglican church (St. Andrews) which has now closed down and people did not want us to visit, but we managed to get some photos!
Due to the threat of the Taliban, we have had a heavy armed escort since Kerman. Travelled on the 14th to the ancient Citadel of Bam where 15,000 people died a few years age in a huge earth quake. The Citadel is now being rebuilt, a stark reminder of how the world we live in is so fragile.
Then on the 15th to Zahedan. On the 16th over the border into Pakistan and miles of desert road to Quetta. This was an 18 hour journey and does not include the 2 hour crossing of the Iran/Pakistan border. We had mangoes in Quetta, and the highlight of having a tuk-tuk ride home from a restaurant.
A long hot journey to Sukkur on the 18th where we went on a trip around the city on horse pulled rickshaws. Poor horses, with limps and so badly treated. But we were welcomed like royalty. We went to a Hindu Temple in the middle of the Indus River and people went wild with such a welcome for us. The Hindus are a minority group here and treated as outcasts, so for us to visit was a great honour to them. The Priest later phoned our guide to apologise for the children’s behaviour! Oh yes, last night at Sukkur the local TV station turned up.
Today, 19th June, we arrived in Multan in the Punjab with dancers and drums playing for us. We had 40 Elite Police of the Punjab escort us and they are now outside the hotel with guns at the ready. Tonight we visited a local mosque and met loads of people all wanting to shake hands and have their photos taken. I met 3 lads on the way home and they asked if I was a Christian and they told me they were also Christians. I was amazed! I was also asked what my job was tonight at the local mosque. After I told the questioner, his reply was "But are you a Muslim?" I think he realised his mistake and smiled later asking for a photograph.
Pakistan has insulted all the senses, the colour and smell and the poverty. Everything is all so much but the welcome has been amazing. We also get frequent power cuts so things are still a bit difficult.
Life is busy and the world full of amazing and kind people!!
Love to all.
Due to the threat of the Taliban, we have had a heavy armed escort since Kerman. Travelled on the 14th to the ancient Citadel of Bam where 15,000 people died a few years age in a huge earth quake. The Citadel is now being rebuilt, a stark reminder of how the world we live in is so fragile.
Then on the 15th to Zahedan. On the 16th over the border into Pakistan and miles of desert road to Quetta. This was an 18 hour journey and does not include the 2 hour crossing of the Iran/Pakistan border. We had mangoes in Quetta, and the highlight of having a tuk-tuk ride home from a restaurant.
A long hot journey to Sukkur on the 18th where we went on a trip around the city on horse pulled rickshaws. Poor horses, with limps and so badly treated. But we were welcomed like royalty. We went to a Hindu Temple in the middle of the Indus River and people went wild with such a welcome for us. The Hindus are a minority group here and treated as outcasts, so for us to visit was a great honour to them. The Priest later phoned our guide to apologise for the children’s behaviour! Oh yes, last night at Sukkur the local TV station turned up.
Today, 19th June, we arrived in Multan in the Punjab with dancers and drums playing for us. We had 40 Elite Police of the Punjab escort us and they are now outside the hotel with guns at the ready. Tonight we visited a local mosque and met loads of people all wanting to shake hands and have their photos taken. I met 3 lads on the way home and they asked if I was a Christian and they told me they were also Christians. I was amazed! I was also asked what my job was tonight at the local mosque. After I told the questioner, his reply was "But are you a Muslim?" I think he realised his mistake and smiled later asking for a photograph.
Pakistan has insulted all the senses, the colour and smell and the poverty. Everything is all so much but the welcome has been amazing. We also get frequent power cuts so things are still a bit difficult.
Life is busy and the world full of amazing and kind people!!
Love to all.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Central Iran
Today (Friday 13th) we have had a long journey to Kerman in central Iran and the temperature is hot, hot, hot!
The past few days have been eventful. On Tuesday (10th June) we spent hours at the Pakistan embassy in Tehran trying to sort out our visas. Wednesday to Esfahan where we visited the Blue Mosque (Imam Mosque) which was stunning, and the Lady Mosque (Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque), reputedly the most beautiful mosque in the world. Thursday saw one of our number taken to hospital with a broken arm after a nasty fall on one of the bridges in Esfahan. She is being well looked after and will be going home after an operation today (Friday). Hopefully she will rejoin us on the journey.
Thursday we also went to Yazd and the bus flew over a speed bump while looking for a petrol stop, we really did fly! Once the bus was checked we found petrol and managed to fill up with 247.6 litres at 165 Rials a litre. The total being 40,854 Rials. Sounds a lot but in sterling only just under two pounds fifty! How's that for value?
My toe is also doing well, and we have decided that there is a problem period for us between 12 noon on a Wednesday and 12 noon on a Thursday as all our accidents have happened between those hours! Two lost toe nails (including mine), a nasty cut finger and now a broken arm. So far we have managed one hospital visit a week, one in Bulgaria, two in Turkey and one in Iran.
The past few days have been eventful. On Tuesday (10th June) we spent hours at the Pakistan embassy in Tehran trying to sort out our visas. Wednesday to Esfahan where we visited the Blue Mosque (Imam Mosque) which was stunning, and the Lady Mosque (Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque), reputedly the most beautiful mosque in the world. Thursday saw one of our number taken to hospital with a broken arm after a nasty fall on one of the bridges in Esfahan. She is being well looked after and will be going home after an operation today (Friday). Hopefully she will rejoin us on the journey.
Thursday we also went to Yazd and the bus flew over a speed bump while looking for a petrol stop, we really did fly! Once the bus was checked we found petrol and managed to fill up with 247.6 litres at 165 Rials a litre. The total being 40,854 Rials. Sounds a lot but in sterling only just under two pounds fifty! How's that for value?
My toe is also doing well, and we have decided that there is a problem period for us between 12 noon on a Wednesday and 12 noon on a Thursday as all our accidents have happened between those hours! Two lost toe nails (including mine), a nasty cut finger and now a broken arm. So far we have managed one hospital visit a week, one in Bulgaria, two in Turkey and one in Iran.
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Mishaps and hospitality
In Bulgaria our Irish friend Darren managed to knock off the toenail on his left large toe, a trip to the hospital for him!
In the Turkish Baths in Göreme our French friend Claire fainted in the heat and needed a taxi home.
On the way to Sivas our bus developed a problem with the suspension and needed a garage stop which delayed our progress and the search for a camping site.
During one stop our eldest traveller Cliff (who I think is 69) fainted, I think he enjoyed the attention of the ladies and he needed a quick visit to the hospital.
And Claire (again) managed to sink into the mud at a hot spring. Sinking to her knees in just two seconds she had to say au revoir to her flip flops.
On my wedding anniversary I managed to copy Darren's accident of a week before and caught my large left toe on a tent peg ripping the toenail! En Route to Erzurum we discovered an out of the way hospital and the following happened.
"Stop the bus quickly there is a hospital", so the bus pulls up to a garage opposite. Viv, the tour guide, and I walk to the hospital. When greeted by the receptionist I point to my toe. I’m shown in to a clean new room where the nurse cuts off the bandage (no English). A doctor looks in, a second doctor looks in, a third and a fourth.
Eventually a pretty lady doctor comes in who speaks a little English, the toenail needs to come off!! Doctor one places my foot over a bin half filled with old dressings and blood, and pours on iodine. Then the only bit of Turkish I understood for the whole visit, I just knew that Doctor one said to Doctor two "Distract him for a minute". Needles go in and the nail is pulled off.
By this time we have been joined by two local coppers who want to know what the bus is doing at the garage opposite. They look on and smile, by now the room is full of people looking on at my pain and smiling.
I am told to dress the wound daily and take antibiotics! Where do we get dressings and antibiotics from? Two minutes later our lady doctor appears with dressings and tablets. I am then ordered a porter who takes me in a chair to the police car outside. The police were then told to drive me to the bus, which they did! The bus is now surrounded by locals asking questions and laughing.
Our lady doctor then explains she was finishing at that hospital and was only there to say goodbye to friends. What a miracle! She then discovers that our hotel in Erzurum was opposite her home. She then gets a lift for herself and family to town showing us the way.
All this was done for FREE as well, no questions asked. Thank you to all at the hospital and the people Turkey.
In the Turkish Baths in Göreme our French friend Claire fainted in the heat and needed a taxi home.
On the way to Sivas our bus developed a problem with the suspension and needed a garage stop which delayed our progress and the search for a camping site.
During one stop our eldest traveller Cliff (who I think is 69) fainted, I think he enjoyed the attention of the ladies and he needed a quick visit to the hospital.
And Claire (again) managed to sink into the mud at a hot spring. Sinking to her knees in just two seconds she had to say au revoir to her flip flops.
On my wedding anniversary I managed to copy Darren's accident of a week before and caught my large left toe on a tent peg ripping the toenail! En Route to Erzurum we discovered an out of the way hospital and the following happened.
"Stop the bus quickly there is a hospital", so the bus pulls up to a garage opposite. Viv, the tour guide, and I walk to the hospital. When greeted by the receptionist I point to my toe. I’m shown in to a clean new room where the nurse cuts off the bandage (no English). A doctor looks in, a second doctor looks in, a third and a fourth.
Eventually a pretty lady doctor comes in who speaks a little English, the toenail needs to come off!! Doctor one places my foot over a bin half filled with old dressings and blood, and pours on iodine. Then the only bit of Turkish I understood for the whole visit, I just knew that Doctor one said to Doctor two "Distract him for a minute". Needles go in and the nail is pulled off.
By this time we have been joined by two local coppers who want to know what the bus is doing at the garage opposite. They look on and smile, by now the room is full of people looking on at my pain and smiling.
I am told to dress the wound daily and take antibiotics! Where do we get dressings and antibiotics from? Two minutes later our lady doctor appears with dressings and tablets. I am then ordered a porter who takes me in a chair to the police car outside. The police were then told to drive me to the bus, which they did! The bus is now surrounded by locals asking questions and laughing.
Our lady doctor then explains she was finishing at that hospital and was only there to say goodbye to friends. What a miracle! She then discovers that our hotel in Erzurum was opposite her home. She then gets a lift for herself and family to town showing us the way.
All this was done for FREE as well, no questions asked. Thank you to all at the hospital and the people Turkey.
Turkey to Iran
Göreme - amazing underground cities and churches cut in to the hills to explore! We camped here for 3 nights, then on to Sivas (4th June) and camping next to a huge lake. A really cold night here and I managed to have an accident that meant a visit to a Turkish hospital.
5th June, our Wedding Anniversary - love to Jan. Travelled to Erzurum and stayed one night in a small hotel in the centre of town. Then we set off for the famous Doğubeyazıt (also know as doggy biscuit) in the shadow of Mount Ararat, famous as the resting place of Noah's Ark. I stayed in a cabin as I couldn't be bothered with camping after such a long trip.
Saturday 7th June off to Iran, a long border crossing and on to Tabriz with our Iranian guides aboard. Next day to Zanjan where we spend the evening partying with the local people! Now in the capital, Tehran, where I now sit typing my blog after a long journey and a few hours at the British Embassy getting a letter for my visa for Pakistan.
Coming through Turkey and Iran has brought in to contact with literally hundreds of people. Some have described themselves as Turkish or Kurdish or Iranian or Sunni or Shia or Christian. Many have gone out of their way to help us when we are lost - yes, the Oz Bus does get lost nearly every day. No matter what, people have shown us courtesy and kindness. They have laughed with us and stared at us, they have offered us food and drink and time to talk, they have wanted to speak, listen and practice their English skills.
A great example of this was just last night in the Iranian town of Zanjan. We went to a local fairground at 8pm after a meal. We go on a Swinging Boat and the ladies opposite us, all dressed in black veils, copy us when we start to put our hands in the air. We all start to laugh. This continues throughout the ride and we are followed to the Big Wheel and then the Swan shaped paddle boats. We laugh and laugh together. The locals take pictures and Darren shows the luck of the Irish by winning on a Wheel of Fortune. We are stopped and photographed and a great time was had. We even managed to share our candy floss with a little girl! A highlight of the trip for sure.
5th June, our Wedding Anniversary - love to Jan. Travelled to Erzurum and stayed one night in a small hotel in the centre of town. Then we set off for the famous Doğubeyazıt (also know as doggy biscuit) in the shadow of Mount Ararat, famous as the resting place of Noah's Ark. I stayed in a cabin as I couldn't be bothered with camping after such a long trip.
Saturday 7th June off to Iran, a long border crossing and on to Tabriz with our Iranian guides aboard. Next day to Zanjan where we spend the evening partying with the local people! Now in the capital, Tehran, where I now sit typing my blog after a long journey and a few hours at the British Embassy getting a letter for my visa for Pakistan.
Coming through Turkey and Iran has brought in to contact with literally hundreds of people. Some have described themselves as Turkish or Kurdish or Iranian or Sunni or Shia or Christian. Many have gone out of their way to help us when we are lost - yes, the Oz Bus does get lost nearly every day. No matter what, people have shown us courtesy and kindness. They have laughed with us and stared at us, they have offered us food and drink and time to talk, they have wanted to speak, listen and practice their English skills.
A great example of this was just last night in the Iranian town of Zanjan. We went to a local fairground at 8pm after a meal. We go on a Swinging Boat and the ladies opposite us, all dressed in black veils, copy us when we start to put our hands in the air. We all start to laugh. This continues throughout the ride and we are followed to the Big Wheel and then the Swan shaped paddle boats. We laugh and laugh together. The locals take pictures and Darren shows the luck of the Irish by winning on a Wheel of Fortune. We are stopped and photographed and a great time was had. We even managed to share our candy floss with a little girl! A highlight of the trip for sure.
Friday, 6 June 2008
Companions
An interesting group of people from gap year students to those out to discover a new life. Jane D. says ‘my journey is one of reflection and development’. Others are on their way back home to Aussie after travelling the world. There are two groups, the young ones partying all night, and the middle aged (me) and older ones. There are a number of couples including one couple from Hong Kong who leave us at Bali to go to the Olympic Games in Hong Kong.
As we travel from country to country we need small amounts of money so a few people have been withdrawing money and sharing for drinks etc. This avoids us all getting money from the ATM. It is great to see the travellers help each other.
Tomorrow (Sunday 1st June) we go to Göreme a town in Cappadocia central Turkey, a trip of 11 hours! But it is supposed to be an outstanding place to visit, and hot air ballooning on Monday.
As we travel from country to country we need small amounts of money so a few people have been withdrawing money and sharing for drinks etc. This avoids us all getting money from the ATM. It is great to see the travellers help each other.
Tomorrow (Sunday 1st June) we go to Göreme a town in Cappadocia central Turkey, a trip of 11 hours! But it is supposed to be an outstanding place to visit, and hot air ballooning on Monday.
From Romania to Bulgaria
Earlier today (28th May) we left Bucharest in Romania after visiting the presidential palace where the dictator Ceauşescu made his last infamous speech and was eventually overthrown. We had spent the night camping and the youngsters managed to play music until about 2.00am, which I actually slept through for the most part. There were a few complaints this morning though!
We then travelled through the stunning countryside of Romania and Bulgaria to the central city of Kazanlak. I would strongly recommend anyone to come and visit these lands before they become too developed. There are the old soviet style housing blocks and the ancient ways of living trying to compete with societies breaking into the 21st century.
We have now seen a great change from western to eastern cultures and tomorrow will be even more fascinating as we head for the Turkish border and to Istanbul, it will be a long drive. But tonight we have the luxury of sleeping in a superb hotel, hot showers and large beds! Here’s to a good nights sleep.
We then travelled through the stunning countryside of Romania and Bulgaria to the central city of Kazanlak. I would strongly recommend anyone to come and visit these lands before they become too developed. There are the old soviet style housing blocks and the ancient ways of living trying to compete with societies breaking into the 21st century.
We have now seen a great change from western to eastern cultures and tomorrow will be even more fascinating as we head for the Turkish border and to Istanbul, it will be a long drive. But tonight we have the luxury of sleeping in a superb hotel, hot showers and large beds! Here’s to a good nights sleep.
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