{"id":3464,"date":"2023-06-06T10:45:26","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T10:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=3464"},"modified":"2023-06-06T10:45:26","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T10:45:26","slug":"sabbatical-week-27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=3464","title":{"rendered":"Sabbatical Week 27"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Started my day early from Plovdiv to visit this ancient fortress out of town called \u0410\u0441\u0435\u043d\u043e\u0432\u0430 \u043a\u0440\u0435\u043f\u043e\u0441\u0442<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The church below the fortress tower. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The ticket was only 4BGN with 1BGN for the parking. The views were stunning, though I wish there was more descriptions regarding the history<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next was a monastery that’s just 15min south from the Fortress. I am sure I was the only foreigner visitor there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s stunning beautiful, I was just a bit tired of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next was this famous Trigrad Gorge<\/a>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps in the USA, we just have far too many similar sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I waited for half an hour for the cave tour (Devil’s Throat Cave, 4.8 on Google)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While the legend is interesting but the underground water system wasn’t visible and there’s no signages for explaining (the tour was done in Bulgarian only. 10BGN)
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As usual, the countryside or the journey is the highlight. Spring time is just mesmerizing. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Found a dam to chill for a bit before heading towards my guest house for the night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lovely guesthouse (60BGN) with a backyard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I decided to feast a little given it’s my first meal of the day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The pork neck was pretty tasty and tender. 46BGN in total for 4 dishes plus 4 drinks! It’s definitely not bad. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from my guest, I got the only room with a balcony <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Driving straight to Bansko, a ski town and also a summer hiking destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Got myself a coffee and a sweet while waiting for my car to be charged <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It’s overcast by the time I reached to the trailhead <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After the hike, it’s lunch time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Got this lake trout for being so close to rivers (31.7BGN for two dishes) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s at this time sun came out<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The peak was somewhat visible?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With the sunshine I drove to the last destination of the day – Rila Monastery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Waterfall on the way<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Don’t get me wrong, it’s an amazing site and it’s the most important religious site in Bulgaria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Took a little country road to get to my accommodation (52BGN) for the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As usual, the journey is the highlight<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Town where I stayed for the night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Went out for a quick dinner for settling in<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dinner was 25.1 BGN, a pretty good deal given it’s in a tourist town<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hiking Seven Rila Lakes was the main agenda<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Took the lift up for 25BGN roundtrip <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I paid the winter season price since it’s still before June. It’s a very long lift ride (almost 20min)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s freezing. 7 – 8C as this moment <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Top view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The flowers were an unique species from Bulgaria <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I started trekking this 4km lake trail. The first half was quite easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First lake in site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(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?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I probably should have turned around at this point, and for some reasons I decided to take the loop route without proper winter gears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trailhead in sight, yay! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Though it didn’t rain luckily, but my feet was completely soaked and frozen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A clearer view of the hut!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Took the lift down<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Was going initially back to Sofia before I found a rather cheap place to stay for only 35BGN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Food in the hotel (19.3BGN. it’s a quite affordable hotel restaurant)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After a little nap, I went out for a little walk around town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Simple Gyro (5BGN) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from my hotel. I can sense Bulgarians love for their country<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last day of having my rental car. I definitely have grown more in love with it. EV is the way to go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Last pitstop before returning my car<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bye! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before heading out to Serbia, I decided to take a one last nice meal near while I wait for the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In just short of 3 hours, I arrived in Nis, Serbia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My dinner – cheesecake and beer. not exactly Serbian. (820RSD)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went to back early given it’s a travel day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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A quick coffee break before heading to the Red Cross concentration camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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The storylines were very well laid out. Displays and translations are also phenomenal. Definitely one of the better camps I’ve seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sad story <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I didn’t take many pictures out of respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Found a local market while going towards the castle
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View from the castle <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It’s a great fortress, but it’s also neglected possibly due it’s built during the Ottoman era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next was this Skull museum<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There wasn’t much to see, and it’s far to get to. I get it’s an important history for the locals – though I think the theme was more around how terrible turks are. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly was this monument to remember all the men, women and kids that were killed during Holocaust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Walked around the neighborhood a bit <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Went for a legendary restaurant for lunch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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$22.28 for a total of three dishes and 4 drinks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ice cream is my after drink food as always <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later an Austrian girl came to my hostel for a short stopover for her flight back home. We decided to go out for dinner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We had a blast for sure! (3200RSD for two)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Full moon <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another travel day to the capitol belgrade!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quite a bit traffic arriving into Belgrade <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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First impression! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Decided to do the free walking tour upon checking in with my hostel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My old employer – of course <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bumped into someone I previous met in Turkey <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It’s Saturday so the Bohemian street was quite busy and didn’t take in solo diners <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most of the fast food joints were also closed during the weekend, so I opted for another Serbian restaurant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The “Hamburg” was very salt. The server wasn’t also the friendliest. 2680RSD. Not the cheapest either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Met up with a German solo traveller in my dorm and we instantly clicked and decided to hang out the next day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Got up at around 8am and decided to take the waterfront paths to the fish market across the river<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Free Cherries! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The market was lively, we got a bunch of hams, fruits and delights for our meals of the day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bread of course! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We took some long walk across the city centers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Local ferry <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Finally arrived at the brewery after 4 hours walk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The sauces for the chips we ordered were interesting! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I am quite impressed about the brewing scene in Belgrade<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking towards our hostel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Amazing sunset <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Random house boat? there’s a rat\/raccoon on the wooden board <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Just can’t get over this sunset<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Of course the night view was equally stunning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s a great day and a good week!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Week 27<\/td>Currency:<\/td>BGN<\/td>1.81<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Day<\/td>Food&Drink<\/td>Lodging<\/td>Transportation<\/td>Other (tickets\/tours etc)<\/td>Day total<\/td><\/tr>
1<\/td>$33.43<\/td>$33.15<\/td>$24.09<\/td>$6.63<\/td>$97.30<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>$39.83<\/td>$28.73<\/td>$23.21<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$91.77<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>$17.98<\/td>$19.34<\/td>$21.88<\/td>$19.89<\/td>$79.09<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>$49.48<\/td>$13.00<\/td>$17.33<\/td>$2.00<\/td>$81.81<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>$50.79<\/td>$13.00<\/td>$2.94<\/td>$5.50<\/td>$72.23<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>$27.40<\/td>$18.39<\/td>$16.61<\/td>$11.63<\/td>$74.04<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>$28.54<\/td>$18.39<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$46.93<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>$247.45<\/td>$144.00<\/td>$106.06<\/td>$45.66<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Total<\/td><\/td>Grand Total:<\/td>$543.17<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 \u0410\u0441\u0435\u043d\u043e\u0432\u0430 \u043a\u0440\u0435\u043f\u043e\u0441\u0442 The ticket was only 4BGN with 1BGN for the… Continue reading Sabbatical Week 27<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3464"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3599,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3464\/revisions\/3599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}