20240808 Viking European Sojourn River Cruise Day 7/27 - Bussing around Bulgaria

Viking European Sojourn River Cruise Day 7/27 - Bulgaria - Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi

Today was our first full day on the Viking Lofn. After spending a night on the ship, I can say unequivocally that the base rooms on deck #1 are...small. OK - really small. The room itself. Small. The bathroom. Small.The shower. Small. If I'm not being clear - SMALL. We have to plan out who is walking where or we run into each other. If I had it to do over, I would opt for a larger room, except that Viking charges a massive upcharge for the larger rooms with balconies. 

OK - enough whining...let's get into today. We got up and headed up to the main restaurant on deck 2 for some chow. Breakfast is served buffet-style and offers a nice variety of ready foods plus cooked-to-order eggs and omelets. 

The other option is a more continental option on Deck #2 on the Aquavit Terrace.

Shortly after breakfast, we hopped off the ship and boarded Bus "C" for our tour taking us south into Bulgaria. we passed this building, a large local brewery.

After cruising through the hills and farms of Bulgaria, we made a stop for some local pastries, some water, and the requisite restroom stop. The place was called Kaloyanova Fortress.

The venue looked like it gets used for weddings regularly

We got back on the bus and continued south, deeper into Bulgaria. Our guide, Peter, told us about the history of the area, including information about the Ottoman Empire occupation, the communist era, and the present day.

We made a stop to try local rose liqueur, rose brandy, or wine. We tried the rose liqueur. It was sweet, syrupy, and had an interesting rose flavor.

Our first major stop was at a local museum, the Emilian Stanev House in Arbanasi. It was a house that had been preserved, showing how people lived at the time. Unfortunately, the group was so large that we could not fit into the rooms. What it meant was that a small part of our group heard the guide and saw what he was talking about as the rest of us only heard him on our listening devices. Then, he moved into the next room, allowing us into the first room. We looked at the first room and heard him describe the second. That's how the tour went. 

Entering the home

The wall construction was interesting - the rocks were secured with mortar - bands of wood served as buffers for stabilization

The doors were ornate and beautiful

The ceiling was stunning

Kitchen area

Yup - that's a toilet

This is a heater - it drew heat from a fireplace

There were fig trees out back - they were ripe...and delicious

Our next stop could have been better. We walked to an Eastern Orthodox Christian church  - The Church of the Nativity - built during the Ottoman Empire occupation. Churches, when allowed, had to be modest with little external identification. This was built in the 1600s and all the attention was given to the interior. The walls were covered in incredible frescos from the 1600s and 1700s. They were original and had only been cleaned, not restored. They told the gospel story and were incredibly detailed. Unfortunately, the arcane rules of what is now a museum did not allow photography of any kind. I'll never understand it.

Our lunch stop was at a local eatery. We had cucumber, tomato, cheese salads, vegetable soup, and chicken stew.

A local, Bulgarian beer was a must - it was light and tasty

Dancers and musicians performed

They pulled up a few guests to dance - of course, Arlona was chosen

Arlona and her new dance company

We continued on to Veliko Tarnovo. we took in the scenic views and did a little shopping.

It is me, or does this look like a touchdown?

The Tsarevets Fortress looked really cool - we wish we had time to explore it.

We wandered through town and did a little sightseeing and shopping.

we found this silversmith shop

The artisan - Arlona bought a filigree pendant that matches other pieces she owns

We made the two-hour drive back to the Rhine River. Our Viking Lofn was sailing to meet us in Nikopol, Bulgaria. 

Lofn, arriving in Nikopol

We had to board by passing through another ship - that seems to be a common thing with river ships. Shortly after everyone was aboard, we were off, sailing for Vidin, Bulgaria.

The Captain had a welcome toast with an introduction of his officers

We dined on the Aquavit Terrace tonight, enjoying an alfresco dinner. We also enjoyed a nice sunset on The Danube.

We sat in The Lounge as I wrote this entry. Now, it is time for some shuteye as we have an 8:45 AM tour tomorrow in Vidin, Bulgaria.