Elitsa Hotel Albena

... the side of the road. By the time we were entering Varna, evening was drawing its darkening curtains around us, Thorsten's left peddle had disintegrated and Elisa's central bearing was creaking disturbingly. We bought a new peddle from a bike shop, some food for dinner from a stall and had a very nice chat with a man who must have been at least ninety. Some spark in his eyes inspired me to want to live that long, we were next to the fruit and veg stall and he kept saying he ...

... and Soda Ash production.<br><br>The GDP is amongst the lowest in the EU but it has risen since entering the EU and the standard of living has risen visibly since 2000.<br>WWII Bulgarian Govt was by necessity in league with Nazi Germany, but plans for Jews to be deported were uncovered and there were major protestsso the plans were abandoned. All the Jews in Bulgaria were saved and there is now a monument in Israel to thank the Bulgarian people.

I met Albena last Christmas, she is married to Rick Harper a Washington National Guard Soldier and contractor at Fort Lewis. They had had moved from Virgina, and Albena was not yet working and had not met many people.<br><br>She grew up in the beautiful coastal city of Varna Bulgaria, and all her family was still ...

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>

... Black Sea coast gathers on the beach on the night of June 30 to party all night and watch the sunrise on the July Morning. We joined in the festivities, but didn't wait for the sun. It was fun to be in a town where everyone was so excited about a somewhat random tradition. <br><br>So we won't be staying for 3 weeks, or 3 months, as some of our fellow travelers have, but it has been great here, and we feel refreshed and ready to take on Turkey for the last few weeks of our trip.

... strong of a word, the door was opened by someone. Into the common room we finally found ourselves, "Hi". No answer from the locals. Well great this seems like a really great place. In writing you may not be able to tell that this was sarcasm. Both toilet/showers were busy so even though we both needed to go to the bathroom we had to wait to use the filthy things. Finally Dave the owner showed up ...

... to stay for a while and so rented our umbrella ($6A) and enjoyed a couple of hours swimming and relaxing by the Black Sea. The whole area is the Surfers Paradise of Bulgaria with massive high rise luxury resorts, carnival rides, allocated beach areas, parasailing and masses of cafe&#8217;s, bars and restaurants. Later we walked back to the hotel and had a swim in the pool before ordering a pizza to have on our balcony.

... 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.

... Picked up Jovik, Damyan's best friend and off we went. Past many hotel resorts that have been built along the Black Sea coast. Finally got to the gardens and started our walk. Not too many annuals were in flower as it was the wrong time of year, but the trees and old winding paths that led us to the beach and then the Queen's Summer Palace were very impressive. Will let the fotos explain the rest. Had a coffee in a quaint ...

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.