Dobrudja Albena

A very nice place and quiet resort, is ideal target for family with kids, food and drinks very cheap and the people are friendly. About the security reasons I saw all the time the officers from Security companies -armed- and Police patrols on the street, here you need just to choose the proper location and enjoy the time.

... br>In addition to the miles and miles of beach, Varna is a charming little city with a few other things going for it, like a huge park that runs along much of the beach, with a planetarium, a dolphinarium, and some stages for local performances. We stumbled on one of these performances, mostly high school aged children in traditional costumes doing some dancing and singing. Priceless.

There are natural hot springs that come out to meet the Black Sea, so there are ...

... us all out at 9.30 to go and drink on the beach together.

We really haven't seen anything in Varna just sat on the beaches during the day and drunk at night time. We have in the end enjoyed our time here in Varna just there aren't many stories to tell or write about, it was just like hanging out with our mates from home. We didn't even manage to take a single photo.

To Istanbul we go.

... years ago) and we would have to go around. We found our way to the other side of the landslide and then asked for more directions ... we were on the right track ... just up that way. Our third enquiry had us just up the hill, turn right, then left, then right where we finally found it but the sign was written in Cyrillic lettering. We checked in to the old but comfortable multi storey hotel, complete with pool and ...

... to various locations and countries that need an extra bit of security. Here in the foto one can be seen working at the Botanical Gardens in Balckik, Bulgaria. \his job is to stop the squirrels from pinching all the nuts off the oak trees. He looks very happy about it.

... and chocolate before being driven past the gypsy camp (failed to get a foto here) Went for dinner with Damyan's sister and her family at a traditional Bulgarian stlye restaurant. Damyan's sister's husband works as a Chief Engineer onboard a vessel that is due to arrive in Melbourne around December. The evening was nice and warm (for me) so We decided to walk back to the flat as we had eaten so much and drunk some Bulgarian vodka.

Finally got to Varna and caught up with Damyan, though was tiuch n go as my mobile battery was just about flat and \damyan did not yet know where the bus would drop me at. Finally we meet up, and we head back to his place, say hello to his parents, and wife and then we head out for dinner at an \italian pizza parlour. After dinner had an early night as \i was completelly exhausted and was looking forward to a good night's sleep.

... of fun. Except later this got confusing because some Bulgarians who have travelled or have lots of interaction with foreigners know that they do things differently, so they nod/shake their head the western way, so you can never be quite sure.... Upon arrival at the train station I was tired, hungry at it was late so I hopped in a cab to the hostel. The taxi driver turned on the meter but I instantly recognized the rate was much too high compared with an ...

... on the way to the train station. This plan worked a treat and before we knew it we said goodbye to the lovely people at Yo Ho Hostel and took a post card free walk to the train station where there were also no post cards but plenty of lollies to buy. When we got there we realised that we had paid for sleepers which suited us just fine as they were comfortable and we got plenty of sleep despite the heat.

Kraimore is a tiny beach village where locals go when they want to spend time at the beach. They hate tourists in Kraimore. You go into a shop, bar, restaurant and they ignore you, are rude to you, short change you or serve locals first. Might have been nice if they weren't treating us like **** 24/7.