Golden Tulip Varna Golden Sands

... 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>

... where the hot, fresh water and the cold(ish) Salty water meet, and the kiddos splash around and the old people soak their bones. Cute. There is also a natural hot bath along at the end of the beach where I went one night for a soak. Its the little things in life. <br><br>A strange tradition that we stumbled on in Varna is called July Morning, which is based on a song by Uriah Heap by the same name. Apparently, since the end of communism, everyone in Varna, and along the ...

Arriving in Varna you instantly get the feeling that this is one of those places you are either going to love or hate.<br><br>We walked the 1.5km from the bus station to the hostel, still to cheap to catch a taxi.<br><br>Shona wanted to leave the Flag hostel as soon as she had arrived. We were greeted at the door by someone, a guest or a member of staff we were not to sure who. OK "greeted" might be ...

... 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.

... me off. I try not to be overly suspiscious, but I always get a price first. So the conversation proceeded for a minute -Dismissive gesture -How much (rubbing fingers with thumb in international sign) -Dismissive gesture -Finger rubbing Until eventually realisation dawned. I had my notebook out so we could write the price down and negotiate if need be. It was a short negotiation. -Zero? -Yes! -Really? -YES! -Thank you very much! The room was unheated ...