Middle-aged flash packers

Day 4 – Stara Zagora wanderings /Plovdiv

This morning we decided to walk around SZ to see the main sights before we headed off to Plovdiv. As today and Monday  is a national holiday to celebrate the invention of the Slavic alphabet (invented by Cyril) we expected to see lots of people around.

On our list was Stara Zagora lake, Samara Flag Monument and the Antique Forum.

Walking to the flag monument proved impossible as Google wanted us to walk along a dual carriageway which we declined. 

Next stop was the lake which we eventually found. It’s tucked away in the enormous Ayazmo Park. To be honest, it’s nothing to write home about but locals were fishing, bike riding etc around it.

Finally we made it to the Antique Forum.  Remnants  of an ancient Roman city named Augusta Trayana, the most surprising thing about it is how it is nestled between various modern buildings. It would seem that respecting ancient antiquities wasn’t on the communist agenda. 

There is no entrance fee and you can wander around the ruins freely. In fact there were many families with children who were jumping on and off the broken pillars and stone walls. Not sure what I think of this. I guess it’s withstood worse.

As we made our way back to our hotel, we came across some of the holiday celebrations which included school children taking part in folk dancing. I recall that this is really big in Bulgaria, with a tv channel dedicated solely to it. They wore traditional costumes and looked very sweet.

Not to be thwarted in our quest to see the Samara flag monument, we decided to drive to it on our way to Plovdiv. Having seen a photo of huge crowds at the memorial on a previous festival day, I was expecting it to be mobbed. Instead, we saw one man who was getting fit by running up and down the stairs to the flag part of the monument and a couple being very inappropriate on a wall.

The memorial itself is very impressive with 7 super-sized statues, and a tall edifice that symbolises the Samara flag. The memorial itself honours the brave Bulgarians that defended StaraZagora from an attack by the Turks.

Stara Zagora done. A hidden gem in my view. 

And on to Plovdiv. A severe weather event is expected, bringing large amounts of rain by midnight which is disappointing. We got a few heavy showers on our drive to Plovdiv but nothing too bad.

We are staying at the Radisson hotel in Plovdiv which is very pleasant indeed. Lovely big room, recently renovated. There is a nice restaurant and a wellness centre with a gym, saunas, jacuzzi etc.

The only downside is that it’s prom weekend and the Radisson is hosting a big party. They inform us it will only go on until 11.30pm. Meanwhile the young bucks were revving their cars and motorcycles for ages and ages.  Why do young men like noise so much? It was beginning to drive me nuts so we decided to enjoy the facilities in the wellness area which gave us some temporary respite.

We’d booked a table at Hemingway’s which was one of the eateries the nice lady at Stansted recommended. It’s in The old town and is very nice but because we specifically asked for a table inside and they cocked up, we were put in the mezzanine area in splendid isolation, feeling very lonely. Nice food though. 

On our return the party was in full swing and still is . Trust us to be here during prom season. Our taxi driver says it goes on for 4 days! God help us.