The various occupations suffered by Romania and Bulgaria are going to be felt for decades still, before either country achieves the vibrancy of the Turkish villages through which we have ridden. Here there are well-fed children with smiles on their faces and shops brimming with goods, unlike the ghost villages we have ridden through in the two former countries which in the main are populated by the hard workers and old folks whose youthful relatives have fled to the cities to find a fortune.
Crossing the border brought stark differences: the terrain is dry and rocky, similar to that of the country around Rockbank, but with high rolling hills; the villagers are out and about going about their business; the dogs are mangier and skinnier than in Bulgaria although some seemed to be owned; the people I have spoken to know about Australia and smile broadly, doubtless because they have relatives who have migrated.
Last night we were feted by the Kirklarelli mayor, who hosted a bus tour, tea in a rich man's house, followed by a delicious meal in a restaurant. A picture from a tour two year's ago is in the tourist information booklet about Kirklarelli, and last year the mayor, on his bicycle, accompanied the group to the outskirts of town. We felt special indeed.
So I have washed my last lot of biking clothes and suspended them from a rope in my room. I have cleaned my bike and oiled it for the last time before packing it into a box. I am wondering how did I get within 202 km of Istanbul on a bike. I am looking forward to our next three days of riding.
Some more stats....
July 14: Varna to Aheloi, 107 kms, about six and a half hours, along the dreaded highway 9 for almost all of the 107 kms
July 15: Aheloi to Malko Tarnovo, 107 kms, about five and a half hours, but I had to resort to the bus for the last 10kms on account of feeling ill and it being more than 40 degrees
July 16: Malko Tarnovo to Kirklarelli, 51 kms and three hours
1 comment:
Hi Janice! I have only read a few entries of your blog sofar but have loved everything you've shared about your cycling adventure! We look forward to sharing your trip with you when you get back. Bye bye from cold and miserable melbourne with a little sunshine on the side :-) Elzette x
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