Here a disclaimer: We are now already several days off the ship. That part of our travels is over. On the ship there was no strong WiFi and I could not write a blog. I only had written the text each day but starting this day I did not get around to do that either. Days were so full with activities. Now I have to think hard trying to catch up.
Right now I have a little while sitting at my sister's dining room table. And ah, I look at my photos and enjoy the memories. Of course each day more are being made!!!
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6-7 Friday
from the OAT itinerary:
Day 10:
Early this morning, arrive in Ruse, which is situated where the Danube forms a natural border between Romania and Bulgaria.
You may spend your day at leisure exploring Ruse independently, or you could join us for an optional excursion to discover two key Bulgarian historic sites: Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of Bulgaria from 1186 until 1394, and Arbanassi, a historical village of Bulgarian heritage. You'll enjoy time on your own in both locations to make your own discoveries, and you'll enjoy an included traditional lunch in a local restaurant in Arbanassi.
Return to the ship for dinner onboard this evening.
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Today was the only optional tour (means you have to pay extra). We decided we wanted to do it. It started at 9 am.
After about 50 minutes we were alerted to take a look out of the bus to see this old bridge.
I think it took altogether 1 hour and a half to get to Tirnovo. No problem because the bus was not bad at all. The driver stopped briefly at a bridge between two tunnels to let us take photos out of the window. It was a nice view.
We were taken to a hotel for coffee and cookies (English elevenses?). James and I wanted to go onto the balcony but the door was locked. We did find another door though and I took several photos. It was a lovely spot. Others came too and we left but then they were chased out. Not sure what the reason was.
From the hotel we were lead into a historical street with lots of little shops. Many had the owner/craftsperson there showing how they do their work. It was very interesting.
There is a festival once a year in the mountains where men dress up in these costumes. Not sure what it was.
He made beautiful pottery and showed us broken old pieces from which he was taken his inspiration.
This weaver used the most vivid colors. She does not dye them herself though because it takes too much time she said.
This lady whittled beautiful spoons.
Back in the bus. It was a nice sunny day and the A/C was on. Condensation water was dripping on somebody in the front. She had just bought a copper coffee pot though and used that to catch it. Sorry, we all had to laugh.
The town Arbanassi is a very interesting. First we stopped for lunch. We were greeted by a lady with a sweet (_ish) bread where you break a piece off and dip it into the salt/spice powder in the little pot in the middle.
The food was typical for the area and very nice.
I think this is Bulgarian Kavarma. We were given the recipe later.
The Bulgarian baklava was very nice. Not so overly sweet as others we have tried before.
Leaving the restaurant it was pointed out to us that the word over the door does not advertise a Mexican restaurant but is the word for restaurant in this country. We had seen it often before and had wondered, ha-ha.
The hand-outs from the ship said: Arbanassi is located on a mountain pass that controlled an important trade route from Asia Minor to the Balkans. Founded by the Albanians, Arbanassi grew rich after Sultan Suleyman I gave Arbanassi to his son-in-law in 1538. The citizens, mainly craftsmen and merchants, built stately homes for their families which were secured by stonewalls.
Around the corner and across the street into a museum. This is a typical historical house. Very interesting. Our hand-outs said: The Konstantsalieva House is a typical 17th century merchant's house, with Authentic furnishings from the same period.
This is the birthing room. A new mother stays here with her newborn for 40 days and is not allowed to leave to avoid catching any sickness. Visitors are rare too.
Before we exited we bought some Bulgarian Delight (not as sweet as Turkish).
We are not driving far and walk a little. On top of this way was a man playing an accordion.
Our hand-outs said: The St Michael & Gabriel Church is the highlight of this typical Bulgarian village. The interior is completely covered with frescoes, painted between 1632 and 1649. Over 3500 figures are depicted in some 200 scenes. The church has never been restored. It represents a typical church from the period when Bulgaria was under Turkish dominance and was not to be built higher than a man on a horse.
The inside was very special though.
At the end these four men walked in and sang several hymns (or prayers?) for us. Touching.
Outside the property were several local women with stands. I HAD TO ask what these wooden things were. The unpainted ones on the very right are tools. I wished I would have bought one. Regrets!
How to explain? You put your little, ring and middle finger of your left hand into those holes. Now the fingers are safe when you cut grass or harvest wheat with a sickle in your right hand.
The local guide went to everybody in the bus while we were driving back to the ship and wrote our names in cyrillic.
Quick stop for a last photo out of the bus window of the Carpathian Mountains.
Back on the ship we enjoyed the world going by.
As always Port Talk in the lounge and dinner at 7 pm.
OMG, this was awesome. The menu said: Irish Entree from Chef Barrie John Price - Duet of Lamb Rack and Lamb Kofta served on zucchini-eggplant ratatouille, snow peas and polenta
Onboard entertainment tonight was the MS River Concerto crew show. They seemed to have a lot of fun doing it.
And this was a full day!
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