Serbia and Bulgaria.

Serbia into Bulgaria

Serbia, did we cross Serbia?

Serbia is to be crossed on our way south to Bulgaria. the only way for us to easily get from Romania and on to Turkey.

Bulgaria has a very evident connection with its Communist past. This past shows in the many soviet era statues, and the crumbling infrastructure. These massive old factories appear to be left to just fall down. One can only guess how contaminated the land must be around these areas. 

As an aside, I have been thinking of calculating the amount Overland kilometres that we have traveled in the Land Rover since we first headed to Vancouver, Canada back in 2010. The amount of countries is, according to Gael's notes, 52. The amount of kilometres I will have to work on!
It's important to remember that these countries have been traversed to varying degrees by road 
(and often on more than one occasion) not flown into, to get to somewhere else. 

I mention this as much for my own edification as anybody else's because it explains why the bloody truck, and its associated bits, like the camper, are wearing out. 
It's perhaps also worth mentioning that the vehicle (not the camper) is 25 years old next year!

An occasional failure to start can be a bit frustrating back in Australia, but on the side of a mountain with the nearest farmhouse many hours walking away, or a Bulgarian speaking shepherd just over the hill, the situation takes on a whole new dimension. 
I have just cleaned all the earth leads from the engine to the chassis and battery, could that be the problem? Let's see what happens.

Before crossing the bridge into Serbia there were large locks for the many barges moving up the Danube

We were only in Serbia for four hours as we drove over to Bulgaria. Just long enough for lunch by Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin beside the Danube.

People swimming and sun bathing as a huge barge sails by beside the Fortress above.

Diverted of the highway to Belogradchik where the rock formations were a surprise

We managed to find a nice quiet bush camp not far from town amongst the rocks

An ancient fortress was built on this impressive outcrop with a commanding view of the area.

The Soviets left numerous monuments like this one. As well as empty crumbling factories and apartment blocks.

A road sign not seen in many countries today.

Another monument this time to a Bulgarian Revolution leader.

The monument in the foreground was made of metal and in good nick. But the concrete one called Hadj Dimitar high on the mountain behind was massive and crumbling. Both were commemorating the revolution and unfortunately the annual celebration by the Bulgarian Socialist lefties was happening just as we arrived to camp nearby. Everything seemed peaceful and we slept well until 4:30 am on Saturday morning when we were woken by the loudest techno "music" some idiot decided was an appropriate time to start the weekend entertainment. We quickly packed up and drove further down the mountain to try to get a few more hours sleep. As we had breakfast, no kidding, about a hundred big buses drove passed us taking people up to the celebrations including two TV crews. It was a good place not to be that weekend.

Had a look around this nice old Monastery.

That nun in the doorway had a very clingy habit on that, dare I say, looked sexy. Very Strange.

The usual paintings of drama and bloodshed. But nicely done.

We camped high in the mountains away from the town noise. The next, night just before the Turkish border, we treated ourselves to a hotel stay in Svilengrad at a new casino. The town had fifteen of these to cater for Turkish gamblers driving over the border.The hotel was 5 star and only $124 AUD a night, what a bonus.