We arrive at Despotovac by night on 21/12. The Monastery of Manasija emerges in the moonlight, after a bend, surrounded by mountains. Pretty magical.

Our bivouac will in an icy car park along the road, 50 m further. Still a lot of snow, children are happy to play night explorers and Loïc to take pictures before coming back in the truck.

***
Grey sky and a few drops upon awakening, a pity for the photos and the drone that will stay warm. A short visit of the monastery and the Orthodox church that they open just for us, shows that there is no crowd in this season!

After school and eating, direction Bulgaria: there is indeed nothing more to see on our way, apart from more monasteries. A little tired of the national roads in average condition, at night, in the middle of the flat and a little sad countryside with its houses with exposed blocks and bricks (probably has to do with taxes), we decide to go by the highway this time. A nice surprise in terms of cost!

The border post on the A4, after Pirot, is reached quickly. Serbian exit stamps on our passports, Bulgaria and its green clad customs officers open their doors. Back in the EU for 2 or 3 days. This first Christmas wandering will be Bulgarian!

We arrive at Despotovac by night on 21/12. The Monastery of Manasija emerges in the moonlight, after a bend, surrounded by mountains. Pretty magical.

Our bivouac will in an icy car park along the road, 50 m further. Still a lot of snow, children are happy to play night explorers and Loïc to take pictures before coming back in the truck.

***

Grey sky and a few drops upon awakening, a pity for the photos and the drone that will stay warm. A short visit of the monastery and the Orthodox church that they open just for us, shows that there is no crowd in this season!

After school and eating, direction Bulgaria: there is indeed nothing more to see on our way, apart from more monasteries. A little tired of the national roads in average condition, at night, in the middle of the flat and a little sad countryside with its houses with exposed blocks and bricks (probably has to do with taxes), we decide to go by the highway this time. A nice surprise in terms of cost!

The border post on the A4, after Pirot, is reached quickly. Serbian exit stamps on our passports, Bulgaria and its green clad customs officers open their doors. Back in the EU for 2 or 3 days. This first Christmas wandering will be Bulgarian!