Orient Express Day 41 Bucharest to Ruse - 87km

It was with no regrets that the convoy departed Bucharest just after 7am to escape the heat but the traffic was still heavy as we headed out to cross into Bulgaria. We welcomed Kim from America who is on her first bike trip having just completed residency as OBGYN and is relocating from Houston to the Napa Valley CA.

Kim

The plan was to cycle around 65km to just short of the border and most stopped for refreshments at a motel on Highway 5 which was, unfortunately, on the opposite side of the 4 lane highway. Edna had a close call traversing the crossing but everyone made it through the day safely.

After "lunch" at 10.30 (where Ricardo presented me with my own personal avocado and choice of watermelon), we headed off to cross the Danube for the last time.

The first thing you notice in Bulgaria is sthat you can't read the road signs as they use the Cyrillic alphabet!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrillic_alphabet


We found our way into the town of Ruse and stopped to change money and then have ice cream, drinks and a look around. The directions to our hotel spot were fairly vague and I found my way there with a little help from locals and two petrol stations.

Our hotel tonight is the Luliaka which has a very nice pool and bar and we enjoyed an afternoon sunning, swimming and drinking and a fine early dinner in the outdoor restaurant. http://www.luliaka.com/ENG/Default.aspx