📅  18th July 2025 📍Sofia

From Border Nights to Bucharest Lights – Bulgaria, Bridges, and Balkan Delays

Under the cover of darkness, we crossed into Bulgaria and immediately climbed towards Sofia over a winding mountain pass. The occasional stork perched by the roadside—tracking us as we climbed.

Morning brought our first official appointment: Volkswagen Bulgaria. We were greeted by the entire team with enthusiasm and warmth. Energized by their support, we moved straight on to Giti Tyre Bulgaria.
By midday we were back on the road heading north toward Romania. What should have been a straightforward six‑hour drive quickly turned into an hours‑long ordeal. Traffic came to a near‑standstill on the DN5 road—the key route connecting Bucharest with the Danube crossing at Giurgiu. Repairs on the Friendship Bridge (Giurgiu–Ruse Bridge) meant vehicle flow reduced to a single alternating lane under a traffic‑light system. We found ourselves stuck in a queue that stretched for kilometers, with wait times up to an hour or more.

We finally rolled into Bucharest late in the evening, weary but relieved. Despite the traffic delays, we still managed to meet with both Giti Tyre Romania and Volkswagen Romania representatives. The day concluded on a celebratory note: a photograph in front of the imposing Palace of the Parliament—an iconic moment in front of the massive structure.
With the car fully charged and spirits lifted, our focus turned southward once again

Next stop: Istanbul