Ralitsa Hotel Albena

... followed by rain, three days of rain, just like Dover's.<br><br>During the first day of rain the German family departed in their caravan for Greece, this left just me and seven horses to roam around in the drizzle. Over the next two days the water intensity increased and this place, which I was now convinced was Dover's spiritual twin didn't forget about the wind. It tested my tent to what I suspect were its limits.<br><br>When the weather broke and blue skies prevailed ...

... There were crops planted but we saw only a few cows and sheep with what looked like a shepherd in attendance at one point. Here was the impression of utilitarianism which seems to be the inevitable consequence of being post-communist, an impression reinforced by our travels in Ukraine and even more so in Sochi a few days later. There is a blunting of public joie de vivre and a grimness of public attitude which must reflect the oppressive ...

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>

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

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.

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.