Fishing up Bulgaria and headed to Serbia (another country that shared some of the complex history and the best known for as the center of the Yugoslavia)
Day 1
Started my day early from Plovdiv to visit this ancient fortress out of town called Асенова крепост
The ticket was only 4BGN with 1BGN for the parking. The views were stunning, though I wish there was more descriptions regarding the history
Next was a monastery that’s just 15min south from the Fortress. I am sure I was the only foreigner visitor there.
It’s stunning beautiful, I was just a bit tired of.
Next was this famous Trigrad Gorge. I do have to say it’s a bit overhyped, at least for something that’s 4.9. I do get the vibe in Bulgaria everything seems to be a bit inflated when comes to review scores. I think this might be a good thing that indicates the state of the Bulgarians that are easily to be satisfied.
Perhaps in the USA, we just have far too many similar sites.
I waited for half an hour for the cave tour (Devil’s Throat Cave, 4.8 on Google)
I was a bit disappointed at this moment and sightly altered my plan to drive further instead of hanging around for more Gorge related activities.
Day 2
Driving straight to Bansko, a ski town and also a summer hiking destination.
The weather wasn’t the greatest and going to the peak was out the question. The short 2km lake trail was what I decided on taking
I’ve been to many alpine lakes, this was still among the best. The spring time was just wonderful with those alpine flowers. (it’s uncommon in the states to access the Alpine areas during late fall due to road closures)
After the hike, it’s lunch time.
It’s at this time sun came out
With the sunshine I drove to the last destination of the day – Rila Monastery
To be honest, I wasn’t too much interested into another monastery to begin with not to mention it’s quite a detour. Nevertheless, given its fame and I figured I’d go check a box.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an amazing site and it’s the most important religious site in Bulgaria.
Took a little country road to get to my accommodation (52BGN) for the day.
Went out for a quick dinner for settling in
Dinner was 25.1 BGN, a pretty good deal given it’s in a tourist town
Day 3
Hiking Seven Rila Lakes was the main agenda
I paid the winter season price since it’s still before June. It’s a very long lift ride (almost 20min)
I started trekking this 4km lake trail. The first half was quite easy.
Met a few Asians on the hike, and we immediately connected since there wasn’t too many of them in the country. They are from Taiwan and very very friendly. Decided to help taking some photos for me since I was alone.
(Fun fact, there Taiwanese couldn’t stop praising how beautiful Sichuanese women are, after learning I am from there. I obviously didn’t feel the same way and on top, what about men? maybe we exist just to produce those women?)
I probably should have turned around at this point, and for some reasons I decided to take the loop route without proper winter gears.
Those the return part was equally beautiful but I was pretty alone entire time and got lost more than enough times. Wasn’t something I should be doing in a foreigner country.
Though it didn’t rain luckily, but my feet was completely soaked and frozen
Was going initially back to Sofia before I found a rather cheap place to stay for only 35BGN.
After a little nap, I went out for a little walk around town.
Weather was quite nice, I got a few stares where I get that Asians aren’t the most common sight in this part of the Bulgaria (Samokov).
Day 4
Last day of having my rental car. I definitely have grown more in love with it. EV is the way to go!
The fuel cost was totaling 91.4US for 9 days. Around 10US per day. Definitely lower than what I would have paid for a gas car!
Before heading out to Serbia, I decided to take a one last nice meal near while I wait for the bus.
58.5BGN for the food and drinks (yeah, finally don’t have to think about no drink and drive anymore!). A bit pricy but it’s nice to have a memory also.
In just short of 3 hours, I arrived in Nis, Serbia!
First impression about Serbia was that it’s definitely more dirty and more stares… I got kids both asking for money randomly and stopping me and say hi.. in Japanese of course as if all Asians are Japanese.
I went to back early given it’s a travel day
Day 5
The storylines were very well laid out. Displays and translations are also phenomenal. Definitely one of the better camps I’ve seen.
I didn’t take many pictures out of respect.
It’s a great fortress, but it’s also neglected possibly due it’s built during the Ottoman era.
Next was this Skull museum
Lastly was this monument to remember all the men, women and kids that were killed during Holocaust.
Went for a legendary restaurant for lunch
$22.28 for a total of three dishes and 4 drinks!
Later an Austrian girl came to my hostel for a short stopover for her flight back home. We decided to go out for dinner
We had a blast for sure! (3200RSD for two)
Day 6
Another travel day to the capitol belgrade!
Decided to do the free walking tour upon checking in with my hostel
Most of the fast food joints were also closed during the weekend, so I opted for another Serbian restaurant
The “Hamburg” was very salt. The server wasn’t also the friendliest. 2680RSD. Not the cheapest either.
Met up with a German solo traveller in my dorm and we instantly clicked and decided to hang out the next day
Day 7
Got up at around 8am and decided to take the waterfront paths to the fish market across the river
The market was lively, we got a bunch of hams, fruits and delights for our meals of the day
We took some long walk across the city centers
Finally arrived at the brewery after 4 hours walk!
I am quite impressed about the brewing scene in Belgrade
Walking towards our hostel
Just can’t get over this sunset
Of course the night view was equally stunning
It’s a great day and a good week!
Expenses
| Week 27 | Currency: | BGN | 1.81 | ||
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets/tours etc) | Day total |
| 1 | $33.43 | $33.15 | $24.09 | $6.63 | $97.30 |
| 2 | $39.83 | $28.73 | $23.21 | $0.00 | $91.77 |
| 3 | $17.98 | $19.34 | $21.88 | $19.89 | $79.09 |
| 4 | $49.48 | $13.00 | $17.33 | $2.00 | $81.81 |
| 5 | $50.79 | $13.00 | $2.94 | $5.50 | $72.23 |
| 6 | $27.40 | $18.39 | $16.61 | $11.63 | $74.04 |
| 7 | $28.54 | $18.39 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $46.93 |
| $247.45 | $144.00 | $106.06 | $45.66 | ||
| Total | Grand Total: | $543.17 |
Serbia is also looking amazing like Bulgaria! The green and misty views look so nice. And, the religious buildings also look great too, and it’s interesting how similar they are designed in each European country. That’s great you could find some Taiwanese on the trip and funny how people of different countries will say women of “XYZ” region or country are so beautiful.
That is amazing you ran into someone you met in Turkey again. I wonder how that encounter went. I look forward to even more details of your stories when you are back 🙂