Day 06 Welcome to Pleven, Bulgaria

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I woke up early and shared the lounge with a few other early risers — the quiet kind of company that feels companionable without words. I had my morning cappuccino, watched the soft light drift through the fog over the Danube, and took out my sketchbook. I’ve included a quick pencil sketch from that moment — a view out the lounge window as the Rinda moved steadily upriver.

A little later, Donna made her way out from under the covers (her favorite place to be some mornings), and we headed to breakfast together. Afterwards came my first real lesson in “Washing Your Clothes on a Riverboat 101” — courtesy of Donna, my onboard laundry instructor:

Fill the bathroom sink with water.

Add a dash of Viking-provided shampoo.

Toss in socks, briefs, or whatever needs love.

Squeeze and swish while making realistic washing machine noises (very important).

Let it soak for five minutes.

Rinse until the water is mostly clear.

Squeeze out the water.

Roll everything in a towel and twist to get even more moisture out.

Hang to dry — ready by tomorrow if you’re lucky!

We’ve taken to alternating laundry days, which keeps things peaceful. Quick-dry fabrics really are worth their weight in gold. And here’s a pro tip: a Tide stain-remover pen is your best friend — especially if, like me, you occasionally wear what you eat.

After laundry duty came lunch (thankfully not cooked by me), followed by our afternoon tour of Pleven, a city with deep roots in Bulgaria’s history. Pleven became famous during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, where the Siege of Pleven turned the tide toward Bulgaria’s eventual independence from Ottoman rule. The city is also home to the stunning Pleven Panorama, a massive circular painting and diorama that immerses visitors in that historic battle.

Today, Pleven feels both modern and proud — broad boulevards, leafy parks, and monuments that honor its resilience. Walking its streets, you can feel the layers of history beneath your feet — the same way the Danube itself carries the stories of every shore it touches.

After a visit to the Pleven Panorama Museum we made it back to the ship of an evening adult beverage. Cheers!

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