Day 1 Flight from Perth to Sofia Bulgari

Day 1 Flight from Perth to Sofia Bulgaria

Our flight from Perth to Sofia had 2 stopovers.
One in Singapore and another in Munich. Total flight time was 26hrs but it did not feel long as we had a good sleep from Singapore to Munich.
The stopover in Singapore wasn't long but we still had time for a mushroom chee cheong fun ( rice noodle roll) snack.
The stopover in Munich was for 4hrs so we decided to walk up and down the length of the airport terminal for half an hour. We decided to charge down both corridors flanking the shops and eateries. However, we were stopped by a big burley black policeman demanding to know what we were doing. I meekly answered that we were exercising. He growled and said it was a restricted area and we were not permitted entry. We hightailed in the opposite direction.
After a quick catch up with Kai on the phone we proceeded to our departure gate only to find that we had to clear immigration. The immigration officer told us that if we left on the 15June, we would have overstayed our 90 day allowance in the Schengen region by a day, meaning that we would have committed an offence. He said that in Germany, that would result in us having to go to the police station, file a report, front up to the magistrate who would certainly dismiss the case as it's only a day overstay. However, we would definitely miss our return flight. He said that he had no problem letting us in but suggested we either got an earlier flight or leave the Schengen area for at least 2 nights. 
We think we'd just drive over the border from Bulgaria  to North Macedonia or Serbia. There are a few border towns that look interesting just about 2 hours from our planned itinerary in Bulgaria. We might even drive to Skopje about 4 hours away for it's Ottoman architecture. We do not need a visa for North Macedonia or Serbia, so visiting  for 2-3 nights is the plan.  The fun of travel begins.
We arrived in Sofia to lovely weather of sunny 12⁰C.
As we were too early to check-in, Ruby and I decided to get public transport. It was just one train on the Metro, €0.80 per person and a 15 min walk to the accommodation. Got in the train with no problem, but when we got off the train, there were 2 exits in opposite directions both with 2 flights of rather steep stairs. Looking at the map on my phone, we slowly climbed the steps with our cases. About ⅓ way up, a lovely young couple asked if we needed help. Ruby handed the lighter of her 2 hand carry cases to the lady and I told the guy to take the other part of my case and both of us worked carry it up. He just said he'll do it and just whisked my case up the steps. Our first encounter with travel angels and they came together, in a pair. Of course Ruby's friend Murphy had to travel with us and it was the wrong direction with no way to get across the road but back down the subway and up the other flight of steps. Would you believe, another young couple stopped to help us, another guy took my case all the way up the steps. It was absolutely amazing.
We didn't waste too much time unpacking but hit the ground running by signing up for a communist walking tour at 4pm. Nicolai the guide was very informative and personable. After the tour we went to the place the guide recommended for dinner but Moma was fully booked. So we booked for Thursday's dinner. We walked down the main street, Vitoshi Boulevard which was thronging. We were exhausted and all that merry-making and dining just did not suit. So back to our accommodation and instant noodles for dinner instead. When my head hit the pillow, I will be out like a light, Ruby on the other hand would be researching where best to go to leave Schengen area for 2 nights and a full day.
We walked 14.4 km today.Read more