Zdra da ...what... huh?

Spent our second last day in Turkey on a day trip to Ilhara Valley - along with a group of loud ex-pats, some friendly Italians and nice New Zealanders. First stop was this incredible underground city - 8 levels they built into the ground to protect from invading attackers all through the last few millenia. Lots of steps - and a sign saying "this may be risky". Had fun squeezing through narrow tunnels and watching the swede hit his head :-)

Then was onto to the Ilhara Valley - cut from lava flows yonks agon. Very pretty 3k hike to our lunching spot - including advice from our guide at one point that a certain tunnel that we had to squeeze through was 'dangerous but short' - said with a cheerful smile. No tumbles from either party!

Next morning up bright and cheerful for the bus to Istanbul....and then onto Plovdiv...22 hours later. Enough said. Will say that Bulgarians loooove their duty free cigarettes - bringing back cartons onto the bus.

Plovdiv is charming city with cobbled streets and ruins and sweet houses in old town. Not sure if it was our bad Bulgarian but we seemed to meet a lot of grumpy people... Have realised how much harder it is travelling in a country where very few people speak English -and worse we can't even read the signs! We stayed in a cramped hostel with some friendly Dutch girls - it could do with a makeover, especially as one of the bunks collapsed onto the Dutch girl in the middle of the night!

Yesterday had a trip into the mountains to view a monastery, a bit dampened by the rain. Heading to Sofia this morning (we hope- many difficulties in asking for tickets) where we hope to encounter some more English speakers!