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Lones is back, again.....

Leaving Romania and coming home..

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 Well I left Romania and flew to Heathrow,  I had a long wait at Heathrow for my flight to Singapore,  But I had a bit of good news as the Qantas lady gave me Premium economy on the flight to Singapore, so that was going to be better than the plain old economy with the plebs... Which is where I belong, I know... I was super excited as I has missed upgrades on both flights over.  The lady was super nice and told me to wait until last to board and she would see what she could do for me, sounds promising.  As you would all know I am always early for everything, I hate being late.  So I went to the gate quite early and chatted to a young Kiwi girl who was also on staff travel and had to wait until last as well.  She was hoping for business class too, we hope, we dream, we get disappointed...  Anyway as we waiting I could not believe the amount of people going though premium and business,  I was a little concerned I might lose my premium seat....
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Bulgaria, Romania and things not going to plan...

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 Bulgaria is the only place I have visited (in 57 Countries) that does not have a breakfast menu at McDonalds.  I have not had to resort to eating at Macca's all trip, but I was dying for an egg and bacon McMuffin.  Bulgaria does not have any English breakfasts that I could find, only sweet bun things.  There was nothing up on the board, so I asked and got a resounding "No".  Okay, not eating there.  Bulgaria really sucks. Bucharest restaurants  Part of the city I arrived in Romania and the bus depot is way out of town and there are no local buses to town.  I tried walking around I could not find anything resembling a bus stop.  So I decided I would have to resort to a taxi.  I asked how much and was given a price, a bit steep, but I wasn't in a position to argue as I was way out of town.  The driver seemed nice enough. pointed out all of the things I could visit during my stay. However.  Once we got to the drop off point he ch...
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Skopje and Bulgaria

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 I left on the bus for Skopje at 9.30am. Skopje is quite dirty, all of the apartment buildings look like slums, and the whole place isn't very nice.  I am so glad I stayed in Ohrid, it was lovely.  Skopje is full of monuments and statues, they are on almost every corner from what I could see.  Pity they didn't spend the money on fixing up the accommodation for the common folk. I had a long wait in Skopje for the bus to Bulgaria.  The Bulgarian countryside looks really lovely.  Similar to Macedonia and all of the Balkans really, yeah, surprise, surprise. But it does have more fields and meadows in this area anyway.  I arrived in Sofia and took a taxi to my hotel.  The countryside from the bus. Well what can I say.  Sofia has traffic crossings that make a noise for the blind, just like the ones in Aus, and that is about the only nice thing I can say about it.  It has been a huge disappointment,  I should have kept to my usual plan and...
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Albania and not speaking Dutch..

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 Well I started out early to make sure I was not late for this tour.  When I got to the pick up point there was absolutely no one in sight.  Maybe Dutch people don't arrive early like me.  Finally a bus pulled up and the driver alighted.  I asked if this bus was going to Albania, "Yes." Lale tours "Yes." "Wait here".  So at least I know I am in the right place.  He meandered to a close cafe, and I say meandered because I swear to God it looked like he just got off a horse, bandy legs, swagger and all.  He met with a fellow that I assumed was our guide and yes he was.   Once he spoke to me and I explained I didn't speak Dutch he actually did have some English, not a lot but a bit.  I am hopeful that some of the passengers will, as a lot of Dutch people do speak English. The bus set off, with only me in it, we travelled outside the town to a little area and picked up a couple who were waiting there.  The driver told them I was Au...
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