Day 155 01 October near Madzharovo
This morning we travel towards the city of Madzharovo to meet husband and wife team, Marin and Benni. They do work with an organisation called Re-wilding Europe as well as running their own kayak and wildlife tours. Re-wilding Europe is dedicated to reintroducing animal species back into habitats that they have become extinct from or are under threat. Marin and Benni had been instrumental in setting up nature protection zones in the area. And are justly proud of the increase in breeding pairs that had been achieved starting with twenty-four pairs there are now over ninety. See Rewilding Vultures
After a drive to the banks of the Arda River, we put in our kayaks and had a wonderful easy paddle down the river past amazing volcanic rock formations. At one point stopping to fossick on the river bank to see examples of semi-precious stones such as jasper and chalcedony.
We got picked up about 7 km down the river and then went on to a vulture viewing site. We saw about ten vultures catching the thermals against a wonderful craggy outcrop. Marin was able to tell us about the different types of vultures we were looking at and their habits. The main type we saw was the Griffon Vulture. He then gave us a full briefing later at the Vulture Centre. See Eastern Rhodope Nature Conservation Centre
Set off back home to Lake Kardzhali and had a wonderful fish dinner at the good ship Enamo.
