София/Рила, Република България

Welcome to Sofia! One of my favorite ports of call along my Eastern European adventure, the Bulgarian capital is brash, grand and exciting...

Uncomfortable plastic seats (the sleeper cars had sold out!) made it a LONG night on this train from Bucharest...

Welcome to Sofia - Communist style! I actually witnessed a horrific accident in this station involving an elderly woman,  however she was treated by one of the station staff and was very thankful for my help (without speaking any English). The main ticket hall here is incredibly imposing - I love the raised motif that runs the entire width of the building - right up my street!

I took a day trip to the Rila Monastery which turned out to be one of the most tranquil places I have EVER been at home or away...

 The monastery sits high up in he mountains and is shielded from the wind by its high walls...

This beetle was the liveliest creature in the entire complex! He was scurrying around all over the place... and he was HUGE!!