Bulgaria
Oblast Smolyan

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    • Day 543

      Tschüss Türkei - Hallo Bulgarien

      August 29, 2023 in Bulgaria ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

      Wir verliessen vollgetankt und etwas wehmütig die Türkei und fuhren nach Griechenland zu unserem Gasprofi, wo wir die Gasflaschen füllten. Diese Gegend haben wir etwa acht Wochen zuvor schon Mal durchquert, wobei sie sich in kurzer Zeit völlig verändert hat. Wo vorher alles grün war, war jetzt alles schwarz - soweit das Auge reicht. Wir fuhren durch die abgebrannte Landschaft zur bulgarischen Grenze, wo wir im Stau gestanden sind. Wir wurden vom einzigen Zöllner des Grenzübergangs angehalten, der sehr interessiert und ausdauernd mit uns über das Wohnmobil geschwatzt hat. Da waren wir über den Stau nicht mehr besonders überrascht. 😅
      Nach einem High-five 🙏 gingen wir einkaufen und waren froh, dass die Waage für Früchte und Gemüse mit kleinen Fotos ausgestattet ist. In Bulgarien verwendet man die kyrillische Schrift, so dass wir im Supermarkt die Produkte oft mit dem Google-Übersetzter scannen.
      Zwei weitere Tage verbrachten wir in einem kleinen Nationalpark an einem See. Die Natur war wunderschön, hügelig und voller Fichten.
      Dort unternahmen wir zwei Wanderungen, wobei wir uns am zweiten Tag bei unserer selbstgeplanten Wanderung heillos verirrten. Wir irrten durchs Unterholz, liefen den Wald hoch und wieder runter, ständig auf der Suche nach einem Weg. Als es donnerte, war uns etwas mulmig zumute und Chantal fragte sich ständig, ob es in diesem Wald wohl Bären gibt. Nach etwa zwei Stunden mit Ästen im Gesicht und nach Bären Ausschau haltend, haben wir den Weg gefunden. 🤯
      Auf dem Weg nach Bansko, machten wir noch einen Abstecher zur „Devil’s Throat Cave“. Dort mischten wir uns unter die anderen Touristen, wo wir an einer Führung teilgenommen haben. Wir haben kein Wort verstanden und uns einfach die grosse Höhle angesehen. 😉
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    • Day 52

      Enjoying the colors and the hills

      October 26, 2023 in Bulgaria ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

      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.
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    • Day 87

      Wonder Bridges

      August 24, 2020 in Bulgaria ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

      Today, we had to cycle a mountain stage. After only 30km, we were up above 1500m after we had started under 200m above sea level. It was a continuous 4-7% climb, so not too hard. The following descend of 800m wasn't much quicker though, as we rode on a trail which was partly muddy, steep and rocky, so we had to go slowly and even push a few sections. However, we really enjoyed having a technical trail again! Plus, no cars and amazing views!
      In one corner, my tyres slipped on the dry mix of sand and rocks though, so I went off the bike in slow motions. Nothing happened to me, but the front fender broke, so we had to dismantle it. We wanted to reduce weight on our setup anyways in the future, so why not start right now 🤷‍♀️
      Our destination today were a natural site of interest, the "Wonder Bridges". In order to get there, we had to climb again. It was a narrow road with lots of potholes, but at least a continuous elevation gain again. When we arrived at the site, we had climb about 2200m today.
      The Wonder Bridges are impressive! It's always amazing to see what nature can create. Can you spot Herbert standing under the bridge in the 4th photo? Good we can camp next to the site and enjoy our dinner at this wonderful place!
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    • Day 6

      Devin May 24th Parad

      May 24, 2023 in Bulgaria ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      May 24th
      The Day of Bulgarian Alphabet, Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture (Bulgarian: Ден на българската просвета и култура и на славянската писменост) has been celebrated in Bulgaria since 11 May 1851 (old style). Today, this holiday is celebrated every year on May 24th (new style) and is an official holiday of Bulgaria since 1990.[1] In 2020, the name was changed to Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture and of the Slavonic literature.Read more

    • Day 5

      Devils Throat Cave, Devin

      May 23, 2023 in Bulgaria ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      Devil’s Throat Cave is located in the Western Rhodope mountain, 17 km from the city of Devin. It is among those caves that do not offer dazzlingly exquisite rock formations. What entrances visitors is the possibility of embarking on a real journey of discovery, partaking of a mysterious and awe-inspiring underground kingdom. The cave’s entrance resembles a devil’s head, and down its throat rushes a massive waterfall that from ancient times has captivated imaginations and given birth to numerous legends.

      The most popular of these is that Orpheus descended down this orifice to the subterranean kingdom of Hades, to seek his lost love Eurydice
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    • Day 5

      Eagle's Eye, Devin

      May 23, 2023 in Bulgaria ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

      "Eagle Eye" Panorama (or "Orlovo oko" in Bulgarian) is one of the most interesting places to visit near the village Iagodina in Bulgaria. It is a unique observation platform rising to over 1500 meters altitude. The view from up there is breathtaking, you can see all the beauty of the Eastern Rhodopes. The panorama is located on Mount St. Iliya (Sveti Iliya) - one of the highest peaks in this region. 

      The platform is called "Eagle Eye", because the view can take you tens of kilometers in all directions. You can see the mountains Rila and Pirin, a part of Buinovo and even the mountains in Greece
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    • Day 4

      Devin

      May 22, 2023 in Bulgaria ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

      Devin is mostly famous for its mineral springs with temperatures varying from 16º to 76 ºС.
      Attracted by the healing powers of the mineral water, the Thracians settled in the region at the end of the 14th century BC and lived there up until late Antiquity (4th century AD). 
      Many Thracian mounds were discovered near the villages of Borino, Yagodina, and Trigrad. The Ottomans started the invasion of the Rhodopes in 1371. Devin and the region were liberated from the Ottoman rule in 1912.
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    • Day 88

      More Canyon riding

      August 25, 2020 in Bulgaria ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

      Before we left our campsite, we took a last look at one of the Wonder Bridges which was lit up by the rising sun. Then we headed down the small road again to continue our tour through the Rhodope mountains.
      We cycled on more canyon roads, passed a ski resort and enjoyed the views.
      In Smolyan, we thought about calling it a day, but it was still early. So we continued further and cooked a meal at one of the picnic places next to a fresh water spring. We thought, we had waited out a thunderstorm passing North of us, but unfortunately, we got caught in heavy rain a little later. The road we were on by now was in construction, so I learned about the use of a front fender very quickly. Too bad mine broke yesterday!
      As we were wet and there was no campground anywhere close, we decided to stay in a hotel where we were dry and could do some laundry.
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    • Day 84

      Camping at Lake Dospat

      August 21, 2020 in Bulgaria ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

      The first 50km were easy today, mainly downhill on a nice canyon road. We can feel it's late summer now, as it's colder in the mornings and it takes longer for the sun to climb above the mountains.
      The second 50km were much harder as we had to cycle uphill with some rolling sections as well. Finally, we ended our bike day at Lake Dospat where we went for a well deserved swim in the cold water.
      Our Bulgarian neighbours invited us to a glass of wine, so we stayed up and watched the sunset.
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    • Day 204

      Im Süden Bulgariens

      November 20, 2019 in Bulgaria ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

      Wir verlassen die Brutalität und gönnen uns etwas Ruhe beim Besichtigen des Klosters in Batschkowo. Ein idyllischer Ort mit wunderbaren Innenhöfen und Bäumen. Wir spazieren etwas herum, streicheln Katzen und Hundis und begeben uns dann wieder in unser rollendes Zuhause. Inmitten einer Wiese stellen wir unseren Van hin, weiter runterfahren zum Fluss getrauen wir uns aufgrund des Wegs und des angekündigten Regens nicht😅

      Am nächsten Tag muss das Geschirr vom Vorabend und wir gewaschen werden. Fündig werden wir an einer befahrener Hauptstrasse mit frischer (und saukalter!) Quelle und geben da eine kleine Peepshow, die wahrscheinlich nicht mal wer sieht resp sehen will 😂
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Oblast Smolyan, Смолян

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