Two Wondering Wombles in Bulgaria!!

Over breakfast on Monday 23rd May, as the weather was still so beautiful, we decided to continue around the coast from Thessaloniki to Chalkidiki, to an area known as the three fingers. Whilst we didn’t have a fixed destination we had selected the middle finger, Sithania, as the most likely option. It wasn’t a difficult choice as the bottom finger, Kassandra is known to be another Ibiza, and the top finger Agio Otos, is known to be a Sacred Island, housing many monasteries and of course, The Holy Mount Athos. It is a fact that in order to enter the ‘Island’ Agio Otos, a permit has to be obtained from the Greek authorities, and we didn’t have one, so we couldn’t go there! We found ourselves in a small coastal resort, Nikitas, right on the sea front. After a quick recky of the area we plumed for “Studio Nikiti Beach” – Bingo!!!


Studio Nikitas - about to have b'fast

What a lovely complex, absolutely pristine. It was owned by a German lady called Angelika, who ran it with the help of her daughter Ellenor and her partner Kyriasi - a really nice guy. It wasn’t a big commercial enterprise, just nice personable accommodation, yards from a the beach. We were lucky enough to have a studio appt with a balcony and a sea view. In fact the apartment was so nice and clean, and the area so relaxing, we actually stayed for 5 nights, it was like finding an oasis in a desert, an absolute gem!



Admiring the view




As you might guess we didn’t do a lot, just chilled, read a little, sunbathed, walked and even swam in the sea. On the Wednesday, we got on the bike and done a tour of the island (about 75miles in total), right around the beautiful coastline in sweltering temperatures of 30 degrees. I have to come clean (sorry Ballingerbob), but the only piece of bike kit we wore, was our helmets, the rest was shorts and t-shirts. It was so hot, we even stopped off and had a swim (Not in the buff).






And, What a view



Using the auto picture  - nearly made it!!


Saturday 28th May;

We really enjoyed our stay in Nikitas, and would seriously recommend the Studio Nikiti Beach as an excellent place to stay. However, for us it was time to get moving again – there were ants in our pants and this time we were heading into unknown and unchartered territory - Destination, the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia, about 245miles due north of Nikitas, with a population of 1.5million.




At 11.30am, with temperatures in the mid to high twenties, and full bike kit on, we were beginning to feel the heat, we said goodbye to Nikitas. it wasn’t long before we reached a suitable speed enabling us to keep cool, traffic was light and we were able to make good progress. We had programmed the satnav to take us directly to a hotel in Sofia, and although we hadn’t booked accommodation over the internet, we were happy to wait till we arrived there, as there was a possibility that we might stop off along the way.

There is a significant border crossing from Greece into Bulgaria which we knew we had to negotiate, so there was a little trepidation on both our parts not knowing what hoops we might have to jump through! As it turned out we were worrying needlessly. At about 2.00pm, in sweltering temperatures of 31 degrees( a new high), we pulled up at the border crossing, and after a cursory look at our passports we were waved through. I have to say, It didn’t go unnoticed that a car had been pulled in and was being searched, quite thoroughly, as we passed through – perhaps the guards recognised our discomfort in the boiling heat and just called us thru?


Our Hotel Dedeman in Sofia



The Russian Church 'St Nikolai' 5Gold domes

Whatever, we were on our way, another country, another language and another culture to appreciate. We were slightly cautious as we left the border crossing as there was quite a police presence and we had been warned that speeding in Bulgaria was not tolerated so it took us a little while to establish the ground rules. Our first impression of Bulgaria was a good one, the fields were green and cultivated, the condition of the roads were much improved, (though the standard of some of the driving still left a lot to be desired). In general it appeared to be a much cleaner and for some reason, a brighter and a busier place, and the people, much more pro-active, polite and ready to help. Having said that as we entered Sofia there were many high rise blocks of flats in a very run down condition – a reminder of how things were, pre 1989/1990, when the Communist Party allowed multi-party elections and Bulgaria undertook a transition to democracy and free-market capitalism  (The winds of change). As we rode into the central area, the architecture changed to a modern 20th century city
YEA, we made it to Sofia around 17.30pm, the sun was still beating down and we were much relieved to have made the capital in the time we did – 6 hours. We managed to book ourselves a great hotel deal over the internet in The 4 star Hotel Dedemann, we bagged a bargain room with all the trimmings for two nights, at a cost of 160 Levs, yes Levs (about 80 euro for two nights). What a contrast from the Mandrino hotel, back in Thessaloniki, the Dedemann housed a full spa treatment centre and a huge indoor swimming pool as well as a casino, if you felt the need to throw your money away. The hotel was enormous and according to the reception staff, there were 700 rooms in total, we even had secure underground parking for the bike! We unloaded the kit from the bike onto a Bellhop trolley and made for our room on the 9th floor to await its arrival. After unpacking and showering we were ready to do a little exploring but were mindful that time had moved on and it was getting late, so we decided to eat something locally and explore the City the following day. It also meant that I got to watch the Man Utd game against Barcelona - sorry Daim, I know It wasn’t the result we wanted, but Barcelona are one helluva team!



Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Ethnographic Museum

We woke up to a lovely hot, Sunday morning feeling much refreshed after a good nights kip. Once showered we made our way into Sofia centre, about 10 minutes on foot, but not before we changed some of our money into the local currency ‘The Lev’ for which the exchange rate is set at 1.95 levs to the euro. Generally speaking the cost of living is a good bit lower than Greece so you get good value for your money. We found ourselves a cafe and had some of the local cuisine for breakfast, actually it was very tasty and we washed it down with coffee and tea. We spent the day walking around the city centre, enjoying the sights and taking lots of photos to bore you stiff, including some of the buildings and the wonderful architecture.


Hey, go pic your own nose!



Now thats what I call a HARD boiled egg

 Unfortunately the centre of Sofia was under re-development, there were many cranes, and large heavy plant, concealed behind extensive metal hoardings, working day and night. Quite what the development might be, only time will tell, but I am sure in the long term, it will be good for Sofia.




School Prom celebrations, Sofia style




Without doubt, we have been very comfortable in this delightful City, our original sense of trepidation was completely unfounded, and a visit back to Sofia at some point in the future,would be very desirable. We finished the day off with a good meal at a local restaurant, and for Nigel, washed down with plenty of the ‘vitamin B’ but no Osso Bucco in sight!!




 

 Jim Richardson and Mike Baggott, you'll appreciate this,
One of the 'Prom Cars' arriving at the Sheraton Hotel.





And anyone who sports a pair of 'Lees Legs'
will appreciate this





Tomorrow, we’re off to Plovdiv, the second biggest city in Bulgaria....
Till then, love and best wishes to all back home. The Easy Riders xxxx