Villas Magnolia Albena

... for these really bad quality bicycles. They were very friendly and we decided to cycle together to Varna. I fixed their gears, oiled their chains and gave them elastic so they could attach their bags to their bikes instead of carrying them on their backs, a far more comfortable way to travel.<br><br>It took all day to do the 30 km to Varna but it was nice to chat to them and help them out on the finer points of long-distance cycling, such as avoiding traffic and staying ...

... under such political conditions.<br><br>We turned off the main road and headed up into the hills to Madara where the horseman is chiselled in stone on the mountainside at one point and this has become the national symbol. It was voted the most important figure / relic / attraction in Bulgaria and this in itself speaks volumes about the lack of other attractions. It is ancient, dating from approx. 7th century but is hardly impressive enough to ...

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.

... his shirt unbuttoned, and a strong scent of BO lingering in the air everywhere he went. <br>First question: "Do you have money"<br> "No"<br> "OK, I'll take you to the ATM then."<br>Wow what a welcome!<br><br>It soon got better, Simon one of the people we had met in Veliko showed up, he had also brought along some new friends as well. Katie and Sam. With the same first impressions as us we soon ...

... 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.