Romania - Bulgaria - Istanbul

Written by JB snr.
More flawless weather. Bucharest not overly exciting compared to Budapest or Brasov. We are now making our way slowly across the plains of the Danube on the "Bosphor" Express. This is comprised of one first class sleeper carriage, one second class sleeper carriage and one engine but at £60 for 500 miles in a very comfortable couchette, what a bargain.

The countryside looks fresh with spring and there is much cultivation everywhere here in southern Romania. My impressions of this great country are of the good cheer everywhere, all are courteous and good humoured and very welcoming. The people are especially handsome, especially the women and children with their fine eyes and dark skin.

Romanian language is Latin in origin and many of the words are very similar to the Italian, they are a thoroughly religious people with beautiful Romanian Orthodox churches everywhere.

And so we cross the Danube into Bulgaria, by the longest (2.5km) steel bridge in Europe, we hear the Danube Delta area is very special, so we'll keep that until the next time. Sadly our schedule does not allow us to linger in Bulgaria and we must make the most of what passes our train window, unfortunately there is much poverty and miles of industrial derelict buildings along the route. However the rest of Bulgaria looks just like Wiltshire, rolling hills and lots of crops.

Tomorrow morning we arrive in Byzantium, AKA Constantinople, AKA Istanbul.
Jonathon
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