Day 3 of Sofia and we stayed closer to home and decided to explore the well known Boyana Monastery and Vitoshi Mountains, which are part of the Balkan Ranges. Thought we would go to the Black Peak at the top via the cable car, have a look and come down. Finally found the location after a few detours around little streets. Got to the entrance and discovered that it was not operational during the week. Of well. Slight readjusted and we decided to drive to the top. The drive was lovely. The mountains and the landscape really nice, green. Got to the top. It was a bit isolated as it is set up for the ski season. But we went for a short walk to a wooden bridge I had seen as we drove in. Came across a river of rocks. These we not the famous ones we were heading to later, but they were very impressive. We had never seen anything like it. I must say, when I say rocks I mean massive boulders. Had a bit of a play and continued our walk.
Boyana Church was our next destination as we drove around the mountain area. Paid a few dollars to go in and waited for our turn to enter. A few minutes late we were rewarded with fresco delights. This is a very small church and only 8 people are allowed in at a time. The frescos were amazing. They date from the 11th century and there are layers of them. The church has a Greek influence...I think a lot of Bulgaria does. I think it favoured St Nicholas?? Interestingly everywhere we go there is a church dedicated or named after St Nicholas. My Vitoshi is well know for its rock rivers and we then headed to the best example. We drove to the area of Zlatnite Mostove (Golden Bridges) to check them out. Again driving up the mountain through pine forests was great. Found the rocks...a bit hard to miss and got a park. We looked up and coming down the mountain was literally a river of boulders. Really, really cool. Hardly anyone there at that point so the silence and magnificence was awesome. This was only shortlived as two massive tour buses pulled up. God they were noisey. People here don't just talk...they yell. And tour bus people think they own the world. About 100 people emerged. Stood in front of us...we were on the edge of the lookout as it was. Blocked cars. Very, very annoying. Ordered a coffee from a little cafe...I did have to remind the young man behind men...as he called his order over my head...that the man was busy making coffee and he needed to wait a minute. Apologised...sort of. His partner then pushed in front of me. A slight tap on her arm and no she could not do that and she went and stood behind me. Fortunately, although from Israel, their English was perfect. They were however quite annoyed that they could not be served first. Lol...but sick of queue jumpers. They do it everywhere and NO ONE stops them. Well this chicky followed BR's guide to crowd control and took charge. A few people in the line smiled...I think it was a Bulgarian thank you. Thank god their stopover was a short one. As their buses pulled out the tranquility returned. Question: why do guitar players assume everyone wants to hear them self indulgently strum their guitars in public places? I would rather hear the river...
After a day of driving, pine forests, large boulders, old churches we headed home for some more grilled meats for dinner. Bulgaria is carnivore heaven....and quite healthy as everything is done on a BBQ...delicious.
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