Veliko Tarnovo - Elhovo: 181 km. I crossed Bulgaria from north to south through the Balkan Mountains. A true discovery! In terms of nature beauty Bulgaria took me by surprise, definetely! A cyclists paradise, I might say.
As for what concerns other impressions, Bulgaria did't score. The country seems way behind the rest of Europe, including Romania. Lots of villages look quite impoverished, a considerable amount of houses in a rather dilapidated state. Same counts for industrial buildings - most of them in ruins.
Also in the cities I didn't see any substantial signs of growing prosperity. Whereas in Romania lots of city centers got a 21st century makeover in the last years and urban periphery is rapidly expanding with both residential, industrial and commercial zones, so far I didn't notice these signs of the arrival of a new middle class in Bulgaria. I mainly felt stagnation and even decline. One positive exception: the country seems to embrace renewable energy, as I saw different solar parks along the way.
Of course, my impression is only based on 300 km of cycling - though I'm wondering if they make any sense. Should check some data for verification!
Turkey tomorrow!
As for what concerns other impressions, Bulgaria did't score. The country seems way behind the rest of Europe, including Romania. Lots of villages look quite impoverished, a considerable amount of houses in a rather dilapidated state. Same counts for industrial buildings - most of them in ruins.
Also in the cities I didn't see any substantial signs of growing prosperity. Whereas in Romania lots of city centers got a 21st century makeover in the last years and urban periphery is rapidly expanding with both residential, industrial and commercial zones, so far I didn't notice these signs of the arrival of a new middle class in Bulgaria. I mainly felt stagnation and even decline. One positive exception: the country seems to embrace renewable energy, as I saw different solar parks along the way.
Of course, my impression is only based on 300 km of cycling - though I'm wondering if they make any sense. Should check some data for verification!
Turkey tomorrow!