May 19th. Due to the colder weather slept under a blanket that felt like it could have been lead weighted. So have a slightly stiff back after the very hard bed and heavy blanket. Greeted with a gorgeous view over the Rila mountains. They are snow capped. Breakfast was again a bread, cheese, meat, jam and a fried dough that was delicious. Went for another quick walk around the village and enjoying the winter sun. Hopped on the bus and went for a short drive t...

May 17th After an ordinary nights sleep was time to pack up the bag and walk to the bus stop to get the bus to Sophia. Started on the bus towards Sofia. We got an hour into the trip and there was a large bang noise and the bus stopped. It pulled onto the side of the ride and we sat around before been ordered off the bus. Another bus came along after about 20 mins and we all packed onto that bus. There wasn't enough seats so some were standing. After another 3 h...

May 16th Am not feeling well today. Maybe the meal was too rich. Managed to eat some breakfast but have been back at the hotel since resting. The Bulgarian hospitality is interesting... I was at the supermarket trying to buy a bottle of water but only had a large note and the women didn't want to serve me. She went on in Bulgarian for a while before finding some change. Went out for a walk at lunch time towards to fortified church/ castle and had a quick look i...

May 15th, Breakfast at the hotel before heading out for a walk around Bucharest. The museums were closed again today so had to find other things to look. Shop sort of open at 10am but many are not really for business till after that. Walked around to the revolution square monument and was scared that I wasn't meant to be taking pictures as I could hear a whistle blowing. Turns out it was just the homeless drunk having some fun. Walked towards the university dis...

May 14th: An early morning start catching the bus and then the train to Bucharest. Talked with a family of Romanian origin but now living in the USA. Passed through the mountain range but due to low cloud and fog wasn't able to see too much. The weather seems to change here quicker then Melbourne, sunny / very hot and then cold / raining the next moment. Arrived in Bucharest and caught the metro to close to the hotel... More stairs to lift my heavy bag up and ...