Beautiful Bulgaria.

During my free time in the evenings, I would sit in front of my laptop, searching for cheap flights and train tickets to various European countries. That was when I chanced upon Austrian Airline's red ticket promotion. I made a couple of fake bookings and finally found a really good bargain to Sofia for Euro 69/125 SGD (return, tax included). SInce Austrian Airlineis the national carrier of Austria and a member of the Star Alliance, I would assume that I'm paying a very good price for the mentioned route, although it was only a 1hr long flight. I booked a seat on eurolines to Vienna International Airport because it was the cheapest option (2900Ft/20 SGD).

A couple of nights before flying off, I sent a message to Vania (a fellow CSer who stayed over at my place when she was in Singapore) to tell her of my plans. She was extremely excited when she heard I was coming over. She told me of the plan (hitchhiking, hiking, camping, caving) and that got me extremely eager to set foot in Bulgaria. I had all my tickets printed out the night before I left for Vienna and on the day itself, it was difficult for me to concentrate during Human Physiology practical. I went straight to Nepliget bus station as soon as the lesson ended at 1400. I had lots of buffer time because I was taking the 1630 bus to Vienna. The bus ride was uneventful as I slept through most of the journey. I was happy to set foot once more in Austria. The first thing I did when I got to the airport was to head over to the mama shop to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste as I had forgotten to pack them in my backpack. I spent a couple of hours rotting at the airport and taking free airline magazines and baggage tags from the respective airline counters. My flight was at 2330 so I had lots of time to waste.

It wasn't a surprise that I was the only Singaporean and Asian on board the flight to Sofia. I shall not write about the plane ride itself because I wouldn't want to potray myself as a plane geek.

The plane touched down in rainy Sofia slightly after 0100. I tried to find a good spot to sleep at the airport but was awaken numerous times by annoying taxi drivers who asked if I needed a taxi to the city. Later in the day (0700), I withdrew 20 lv (approximately 20SGD), bought a single bus ticket at the newspaper stand and headed over to the bus stop which was located just outside the arrival lounge.

The weather didn't improve any bit. It continued raining and the worse part was I did not have any umbrella or raincoat with me. So it was no surprise that I was all wet. ): Nonetheless, I told myself that I will not let the weather dampen my holiday mood.

With only the map from the chui lonely planet guidebook my uni friends gave me as a gift, I walked round Sofia and snapped lots of pictures. I especially love taking pictures of the signs which were of course in Cyrillic. At about 1300, I followed Vania's instructions to get out of the city and start hitchhiking to her place.

Hitchhiking to Haskovo was simply an experience I could never forget. (:

I was really happy to meet Vania and her bf. The next day, she brought me to see her mother at her workplace (which was one of the 6 houses which her family owns). I was fed with lots of cakes when I was there! (: Haskovo is a very small town which is totally unlike Budapest.

The hitchhiking trip to Dupsina Magarasi was totally out of this world. I think I'll bore all of you so I'm just going to provide a link to the pictures.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=559564&id=703490296&l=691b31de89