Chokmanovo

As we leave Siroka Laka, the morning is grey, and we remember why we stopped the night before... we have a climb to complete. The sun cuts through the clouds, and the ride becomes more and more enjoyable with a mix of colors and cliffs in the wilderness and solitude of the Rhodopi mountains.

By the time our legs complete the second climb of the day, they are quite pleased that we find a little terrasse above the road to pitch the tent. From there we can see without being seen. Wild cherries, maple, beech, and walnut are very nice in the evening light. The sunrise is monumental.

On our last full day in Bulgaria, we meet a young swiss cyclist pulling his little girl in a trailer. He moved to this country with his Bulgarian wife for a life with more opportunities of creation.

We find a good place to spend the night. Alain's shockingly bad mastering of German (given 12 years of study) is put to task, this is the only common ground of understanding with the owner.Read more