Terry was still feeling miserable with his cold so he stayed on the boat today while I went on the day trip. We had arrived in Rousse, Bulgaria this morning and we boarded buses for the two hour drive to Veliko Turnovo. It was a lovely drive through the Bulgarian countryside with our guide, David, who was from Scotland. He travelled to Bulgaria in 1991 and fell in love with his tourist guide and married her. We saw the Tzarevetz Castle on the top of the mountains. We stopped at the Hotel Yantra for morning tea and then had a walk along the Samovodsk Charshia, a street full of wonderful craft shops. I spent a bit of time and money there.
Our bus then took us on to Arbanassi for lunch and while eating, we watched a lovely display of folk dancing. We then visited the beautiful Christ Nativity Church with its walls filled with wonderful frescoes and gold. When the Turks occupied the area they allowed a Christian church to be built as long as it was unobtrusive. So from the outside it is not obvious it is a church but the inside is a wonder. We also visited Konstantsaliev House, a preserved traditional Bulgarian home, showing how the people lived in past times. We were not permitted to take photos inside these two historic buildings.
We looked at another craft shop and I tried rose liqueur. Bulgaria is renowned for its roses which are sent to France for perfume manufacture. I bought a Bulgarian apron to wear with my black dress. There are so many beautiful things to buy here.
Our bus returned to the boat and Terry was still not well. This evening was the Captain's Farewell Dinner, and it was a lot of fun. Terry and I sat on our own but enjoyed the evening very much.
Our bus then took us on to Arbanassi for lunch and while eating, we watched a lovely display of folk dancing. We then visited the beautiful Christ Nativity Church with its walls filled with wonderful frescoes and gold. When the Turks occupied the area they allowed a Christian church to be built as long as it was unobtrusive. So from the outside it is not obvious it is a church but the inside is a wonder. We also visited Konstantsaliev House, a preserved traditional Bulgarian home, showing how the people lived in past times. We were not permitted to take photos inside these two historic buildings.
We looked at another craft shop and I tried rose liqueur. Bulgaria is renowned for its roses which are sent to France for perfume manufacture. I bought a Bulgarian apron to wear with my black dress. There are so many beautiful things to buy here.
Our bus returned to the boat and Terry was still not well. This evening was the Captain's Farewell Dinner, and it was a lot of fun. Terry and I sat on our own but enjoyed the evening very much.
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