Great day to start our travels as the sun is shining and our driver arrives on time to start our adventure . Simon is his name pronounced See me on . It is a popular name here as he said when even the cats were called Simon.
We had a hearty breakfast but just as well as we did not eat again until after six as our guide walked the legs off us in Plovdiv and again at the Bransko Monastery.
We drove about two hours on the main arterial motorway linking Sofia to the Black Sea along the Balkan mountain range for 750 km so lots of forests and agricultural scenery to see . The fields of Sunflowers were spectacular and gave the landscape a golden hue.
We got to Plovdiv be for midday and set off on foot to see this amazing town,second largest in Bulgaria . We visited the old heritage part of the town, firstly seeing the national revival buildings and then the remains of the Roman amphitheater which seated three thousand people for completions before climbing further up into the Roman Theatre still used for opera performances today . The National School of Music is adjacent to the site . so much to see here and our time does not allow us to go inside the Ethnographical Museum,we walked around the courtyard and looked at the craftspeople working on a wide variety of handcrafts.
This town was built between three hills in a strategic position so the Romans could command the region so fortifications are still evident and one hillside is an art installation done by local art students telling the history of the people who formed the history of Bulgaria . fascinating to climb around this site and the old Roman walls atop the city itself.
After two hours walking in very warm temperatures we set off for Bransko Monastery, this is the second largest community in Bulgaria and we were able to go inside and see the interior of the church. Seating is only for old people,the rest stand for the service . Amazing gold patterning and detail although aging now and little money to repair it. A priest took an interest in us and gave us flowers when he knew we were from New Zealand.
Onwards now to Orehova,a small village perched on the side of a mountain and very folksy . Timber houses overhanging the roads with slate tiles and many in a decrepit state . Lots of pot plants and gardens are colorful and lots of fruit and vegetables grown . We were left here by Simon with our hostess who did not speak any English so some entertaining moments as she loved to talk and was very friendly to us . We were worn out trying to decipher her stories . A great cook too,we had wonderful local dishes on our stay,Lovely salad,fish and stuffed pepper with rice and potatoes followed by a fresh melon salad and compote on our first day.
After a walk around the village we headed for bed but.....A very hard resting place I have to say but exhaustion is a blessing at times like this.
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