-
› Travel Note: From Sofia to Skopje – Rain, Wrong Turns & A New Adventure
Good morning my beautiful EverFlow family. 🖤 I hope you’re all doing good!
I know I didn’t share any photos from Niš, Serbia yesterday. I was completely k.o. when I got back to the hotel. I actually fell asleep on the bus, so a person woke me up at the border so when it was control, after that i was awake the rest of the way back to Sofia. At the hotel i was completely knocked out and woke up at 2:32 PM yesterday!
But I promise I’ll show you all the photos from Niš! Don’t worry. I will show everything (except from camera because I haven’t export to the hard drive yet – will do when back home in Sweden)NEXT STOP ➤ SKOPJE, NORTH MACEDONIA
I’m currently on the bus, heading to Skopje, North Macedonia. Let’s go!!
This morning has been brutal though. Rain, wet shoes, and I forgot to pack an extra pair of socks, which sucks!
But while I was waiting for the bus, I realized something. I don’t think anyone talks about this part of traveling enough. The part where you’re standing at an unfamiliar bus station before sunrise, trying to figure out where you’re supposed to be. But after a confusing morning with alot of stress, almost cry panicking and a few wrong turns, I finally found Sector 41.
I guess sometimes the journey starts long before you reach your destination.
And honestly, finding the bus to Niš was easy but finding this one? Oh my god…
-
› Exploring Sofia, Bulgaria: Getting Lost, Unexpected Kindness & An Eventful Evening
Exploring Sofia is a challenge. You get lost (if you are me) and its rare to find people who speak English. Don’t trust Google AI for directions and Google maps just confuses you. Atleast for me.
Hey guys! How are you all?? I know i haven’t answered your comments BUT I SEE THEM 🥰 I will answer them tonight – promise.
Yesterday I did some more damage on the cards (Yes, I went to an other shopping mall) but not as what I have spent so far – honestly its mostly on drinks I spend the most money on I have noticed. I bought two packs of hair dye and a set of hair ties. Yes your girl will dye her hair while being here in Bulgaria.
I have seen so many elderly women go with shocking purple, red, blue, green, even yellow hair colors and.. I LOVE IT! I love that they are so comfortable to do it. Me? I’m preparing myself mentally for this hair dye im gonna do. Will show you later but for now… its a secret – well not really – it’s purple.
Last night I I went out for walks. In the heat. With barely any air and no breeze. Plus people crowded everywhere so you felt like a fish in a tuna can.
Exploring, urban Exploring or what you would call it – I document life.
THE CUTEST THING HAPPENED While taking photos on different doors etc a cute couple came up to me when they saw I had a camera and asked me to take pictures of them. Ofcourse! I took a few photos and they were so sweet. “Can We pay you!?” I laughed and said no no its fine. All off the sudden the boyfriend offered me discount on tattoo (he is a tattoo artist) – TEMPTING Yes, not gonna lie but I said its ok and thanked them.
So when I’m on my laptop I will transfer the pics and edit to send them.
Click on any photo to view it in full size.
After many hours of being out in the heat, with shoulders screaming in pain due to crossover bag that was heavy, I decided to go back to the hotel. Rest my shoulders and get some AC going. I didn’t stay long . Maybe 1,5h later I was put again but this time – with a back pack. Much better but my shoulders are so sore today, haha!
Taking night pictures, exploring areas in dark (no this time i was around people all the time. Didn’t walk off) and just .. soak all the prettiness.
While being on my walk, with headphones on, I heard a massive fight and curious as I am, I went there. But instead of just “watching” I jumped into it. I saw men run fast as (sorry for this) HELL from all over to help out separate the two guys that was fighting. I was in the middle, screaming “ay!” And stop. There were kicks to the head on one dude, punches etc.
I know – EMMA WHY TF ARE U GETTING YOURSELF INVOLVED? Well, it have always done that. It’s in my nature and I never think of the consequences of waht could happen.
All off the sudden, while I was in the middle – mind you that I was holding my camera in one hand, trying to separate and stop these guys – in the middle of the “soup” (swedish saying) a man came and touched me on my shoulder so I looked and was ready to punch him but he just told me to come with as good English as he could. I felt he wasn’t a danger so I followed him. We didnt walk to a shady area, he took me to the front of the Mosque. So relax! I was safe.
He tried to explain as best as he could that the guys were on drugs – and when he said that – I knew for sure I am not getting involved – I had to actually THINK before action. Normally when fights I’m more – Action & ask later. Now I was Think first & Do the action?
It was one very interesting evening. Nothing special happened after this – luckily- so I just took photos.
Enjoy a few photos I took with my phone.
(Camera pics will come later but for now – only phone will be shown here)——————————————————————————
Time to go out again. Wish me luck! The heat is killing me.
-
› Trip to Bulgaria 2026: Packing List, Travel Preparation & Personal Travel Diary 🇧🇬
Remember this post? Somewhere warm soon
M SURPRISED ME! With a trip to Bulgaria! I actually found about this recently!
A personal travel diary, packing list, and preparation checklist before a summer trip to Bulgaria ~ CHAOS!
Tickets booked ✔️
Hotel sorted. ✔️
Airport transfers arranged. ✔️
Planning a trip to Bulgaria in 2026? Read my personal travel diary including packing list, travel preparation, what I’ve bought, travel apps I use, and final checklist before departure.
Travel to Bulgaria 2026 – Two weeks of Vacation Begins
Time to travel abroad, explore new places, go on small adventures, and create new memories in Bulgaria.
And I can already feel it — that shift before a trip when everyday life no longer feels completely normal. Everything slowly turns into preparation. Time feels slower, almost stretched, as departure gets closer.
This is my personal travel preparation for Bulgaria 2026, including my packing list, travel checklist, and everything I’ve bought before my trip.Travel mindset before going to Bulgaria
There is always a specific mindset before traveling. For me, it’s a mix of excitement and constant planning.
Last year, I traveled to Italy. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations and felt disappointing on a personal level. Venice, in particular, was far from what I had imagined. Instead of romantic canals and glowing lights, it felt crowded and underwhelming. Because of that experience, I don’t plan to return to Venice again.
This is why my upcoming trip to Bulgaria feels very different — more exciting, more intentional, and more positive.Travel preparation checklist: apps, documents & planning
Before traveling to Bulgaria, I’ve been preparing everything in advance.
I’ve downloaded several essential travel apps, including:
* Taxi apps ~ Yellow & TaxiMe
* Translation apps for communication ~ simple Google translator. I’m still looking into other
* Public transport timetable apps ~ Moovit
Taxi&Transportation apps ~ These are the apps I have downloaded so far. Maybe more will be added. I’m still googling what I need and what to avoid etc.
I also constantly check my travel documents, passport, and ID to make sure everything is ready.
This pre-travel planning phase is always the most intense part for me.Pre-travel chaos: packing anxiety & preparation routine
Before every trip, my environment changes.
My room slowly becomes a reflection of my mindset — not organised, not calm, but a quiet kind of chaos. Packing, unpacking, and re-checking everything multiple times.
Even when I follow my packing list, I still double-check everything.
My mind often asks:
~ Did I pack this?
~ Where did I put that?
~ What if I forgot something?
Even when I know everything is already packed.
This is just part of my personal travel routine before any trip, whether it’s a weekend or a long vacation.
What I’ve already bought for my Bulgaria trip
Here is my current Bulgaria travel packing list of items I’ve already purchased:
~ Small camera bag organiser (for lighter travel, no backpack needed)
~ Set of six coded travel locks (no keys, for security while traveling)
~ Two new pairs of sunglasses
~ Screen protector for my phone
~ New walking shoes for sightseeing and travel
The bag will be (hopefully) good for my camera and few lenses for me to have in my shoulderbag when I’m outside. 
The new shoes.
These are part of my essential travel gear for Bulgaria 2026. So far.
What I still need to buy before traveling to Bulgaria
There are still a few final items left on my Bulgaria packing checklist:
– Camera gear & photography accessories –
~ Lens covers
~ Lens cap holder
~ KnightX CPL filters (multiple sizes)
~ Memory card holder (compact version)– Travel essentials for Bulgaria –
~ Two shirts
~ A pair of shorts
~ Suitcase
~ Cabin bag or carry-on travel bag
These final items complete my travel packing list for Bulgaria. I think. I hope.Travel countdown: Bulgaria trip July 12th 2026 ✈️
The countdown has officially begun!
Right now, my thoughts are everywhere:
what I still need to buy, what I still need to pack, how I will get there, currency exchange, and transportation details.
And most importantly — making sure I don’t forget the essentials:
passport, national ID, wallet, and charger.
Passport and ID are the most important travel documents. Everything else can be replaced.
Final thoughts: preparing for a summer trip to Bulgaria
This Bulgaria travel diary is part of my preparation process. Slowly, everything is becoming real — from planning to packing to departure.
Soon, it will all be zipped, organised, and ready to go.I hope.
All my posts about preparation, travel, photography etc will be in one category of its own. Just like my Norway trip 2024, Italy Trip 2025.