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The Romanian Orthodox church at Falticeni
Just arrived at Nesebar, Bulgaria
The group arrived in Istanbul today (15 May) after riding through Romania and Bulgaria over the last week or so. Thirty-five hours were spent at the Ukraine/Romania border crossing as a result of Ukrainian obfuscation. I got through to the Romanian side of the border at 2.30 am and rode through the dark and the rain to a small hotel where I couldn't wake the owner so camped on the front step until a few more bikes arrived an hour and a half later which aroused the owner. He was such a charming gentleman - didnt mind getting woken up in the early hours of the morning and in fact opened the bar at 4.00 am!
Romania was just wonderful! Beautiful countryside, friendly, helpful people, good food and cheap prices. The Romanians are the stand-out people so far on this trip - courteous, welcoming and go out of their way to help you. Bulgaria was also interesting and the historic town of Nesebar was well worth visiting. We stayed in a luxury hotel right on the beach and were permitted the luxury of two nights there.
The bike on the ferry across the Danube in Romania
John and Jim on arrival Nesebar, Bulgaria
Byzantine church at Nesebar
Nesebar street/quay scene
We stayed at Kirklareni in Turkey last night after a long wait at the Turkish border (three hours) but not as long as the Ukrainian border (35 hours). The run into Istanbul today was routine as Turkish roads are the best we have experienced so far. Traffic in Istanbul was hectic of course (7 million people live here) and out hotel took some finding! Negotiating narrow streets and steep hills in the area around the hotel was difficult with the added risk of burning out a clutch should you have to stop on a steep slope.
However the Blue Mosque is just around the corner and the area of our hotel is well served by restaurants and bars. Just what we need after a long day's ride.
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