A Village Tradition

I woke up on Sunday 22nd February at about 10am to the howling of dogs in the village. Then when I listened again I could here bells ringing closer and closer to home. I could only think donkeys with bells around their necks being led through the muddy village streets.

This went on for about half an hour so I went out onto the drive-way to see what was going on. To my huge surprise there was a clown heavily dressed up with the face paint on, yes the face paint, you can't beat face paint for dressing up, funny clothes and he was holding hands with a woman dressed as a bride.

Not only were they running around the streets, it looked to me that they were being protected by 6 monsters. It would be easier to use my hands to describe them if I was talking to you but I will try to write it. They had about a one metre dome on their head which also covered their body, they were all brown and had scary faces. A bit like a massive pepperoni meat stick.

The monsters were shaking the bells at a following of locals, mostly children and looked to me to be scaring them all away and protecting the clown and bride (sounds like a good name for a pub that dosn't it, The Clown and Bride).

While I took all this in within a few moments the clown and bride ran up to the garden gates and started talking to me in Bulgarian and wanted a response from me. The whole group of people watched and waited, they paused a little longer and I disappointed them with a little wave, a smile and a big thumbs up. It was really funny and good to see all this happening.

I later found out it is one of the oldest lasting traditions of Bulgaria. The monsters as I describe them scare all the evil spirits away with their bells and I think the children represented the evil spirits as they chase them through the streets. It was something to behold even though this is 2009, I like these traditions to go on. Shamefully enough how much longer will they carry on in this up and coming country having it's eyes opened to the ordinary over ruled and regulated western world? Time well tell.

The Traveller Returns

I would like to say thanks to all my readers. Since January 1st 2009 to February 26th The Traveller Returns has had a massive 506 viewers from 43 countries.

I hope you keep coming back, I will be visiting Sofia tomorrow on the last leg of my Bulgarian travel, London and Sweden next month, France in May and possibly Norway too plus other random places on the way.

Cheers Richard.

Perfect Plovdiv

Today is to be my last day in Plovdiv before I travel 156km to the capital city, Sofia tomorrow. I really like Plovdiv, the people, the relaxed atmosphere in the city, centre, a wondeful large park and all the hidden winding streets of the Old Town.

I have had an excellent stay at the very friendly Hikers Hostel and I've even stayed an extra night than expected because I like the city so much. Plovdiv has a big tick after my 5 days here.


A picture from the hostel last night.
From the church steps at sunset last night.
Tourist shops with lots of gifts and treats for all.
In the garden of the house below.
A beautiful house in the Old Town.
Local and vocal men in the park this morning.
Two ladies in deep converstion with their winter outfits on.
Living on the edge. I was chilling out on the edge of the Roman ruins this morning watching the world go by.
I love this caption by Nike. It reads 'Have a strong day'.

Bulgaria, Plovdiv

On the 1st March in Bulgaria you have to give a red and white friendship bracelet to somebody. You then wear it until you see the first blooming tree of spring and you then tie it to the tree for good luck. I got one especially made off the helpful stall keepers yesterday and got my name wrote in Bulgarian to give to that special someone on the 1st March. I saw over 50 stalls in town seeling them, so I thought it would be fun to join in.
The ever so colourful high street.
The Art and Music College.
One of many statues in the city, this is outside the Art and Music College.
I don't know why but Big Ben is on top of the beer???
Traditional houses built in a unique way.
Theres two men doing a morning crossword in the Old Town.

Bulgaria, Plovdiv

A new city, a new discovery. I am finding my time in Bulgaria forever interesting. As I said before, I wanted to visit many counties around Eastern Europe but I keep being attached to Bulgaria as I personally feel it is undiscovered.

I havn't been disappointed either, I went up to the old fire brigade tower which used to look upon the town for house fires in the old days to finding the 8000 year old Roman theatre.

I walked all morning and I was fulfilled with historic surprises, from traditionally built wooden houses to very old recently founded ruins. I talked to many non-hasseling tourist shop/stall keepers and found which I thought was my favourite chicken kebab. A fantastic day all around, I'm impressed.

This site was only discovered 50 years ago. The fallen pillars you see were only re-built when builders who were digging the site discovered the 8000 year old ruins of the theatre above the city.
Looking below the centre of town you will see the old theatre which was previously used thousands of years ago. This huge stage is set beneath the high street, it seats 40,000 people, I think it is quite incredible.
This is I, using the fantasic use of my 10 second delay on my camera.
The old fire brigade tower which used to be used for looking out for house fires over the town.
The tiny door way into the fire brigade tower on the hill.
Typical beautiful Old Town houses.
The old Roman ruins on the top of the old town looking onto The Hill Of Libertores
The class difference, a Hummer for one and a Lada for another.

Lamb Inwards

I've been on the move over night and arrived in Plovdiv, Bulgaria via snow topped mountains. The four hour journey had fantastic views with more and more snow along the way.

Last night I went for dinner with some fellow travellers from the hostel. I felt daring and tryed my luck with a tradional Bulgarian dish. The menu descibed my dinner as 'Lamb Inwards' which I guess was all the insides of a lamb. I wasn't disappointed either, there were eyeballs, stomach pieces, liver and hearts on a hot plate. It was served with a delicious dripping white cheese sauce. It tasted so good. The Bulgarian food is beginning to win me over, slowly but surely.

I am staying in the Ancient Town area of Plovdiv which is based on three hills with winding, narrow cobbled streets. The photograph is taken from the hostel, a lovely location. The tower in the centre of the photo is of the mosque for the muslims of this region. In the far distance is The Hill Of Liberators friendship statue. To the left of that is the old firemans look out tower.

Bulgaria, Burgas

My review in and around Burgas.

I came here knowing nothing about this region of Bulgaria and I'm leaving here knowing something, hold on, I know already that one day I will be a philosopher with wise words like these.

All in all Bulgaria's Black Sea Coast offers a lot and with all the investment going into Burgas and the nearby resorts it is obvious it is on the rise. I am glad I have visted before there is to much development and I would say it would be best to visit now.

Burgas is a former thriving port set in a huge cove with surrounding hills in the background as the forests roll into the sea. There's nice parks to walk in and many places to eat a traditional shopska salad in the tidy city centre. The local beer as I have said before is fantastic.

Only a 5 minute drive out of the centre and you are lead into the four amazing lakes of Burgas with over 300 species of birds. Well there was on their last count, it just depends how many locals have taken pot shots at them.

There's many villages and towns which still live like we did 50 years ago, so there is people out shooting, stray dogs and chickens roaming the wonderful winding roads so keep your wits about you. Driving here is a real treat but do beware of the roads. There's many beach resorts like Sozopol, Sinemorets and Primorsko just a day trip away which will surprise you. I think it will be a refreshing country to visit for any couple, friends or family to retreat to for a holiday in the summer sun.

Restaurants and bars.

1. London Pub - Traditional English Pub by the coast with fantastic local and imported beers and food.

2. The Amstel - City centre restaurant which I have to say had a huge menu and real quality food and service.

3. Pirates Rest - City centre Nightclub, Live bands from the region to go for dance until the early hours.

The Burgas coastline with the many hills in the background.
In the village.
The fantastic Sinemorets Coast, about 40km away from Burgas.
Sozopol, about 30km from Burgas.
A farmer with on his donkey and cart.

Bulgaria, Burgas, The Seagardens

Hello readers, not much to write home about the past two days after such a busy week. So we earnt the right of a couple of rainy days and staying by the fire trying the local beverages. We actually spent all yesterday ringing friends we havn't spoke to for a long time via Skype, great fun it was too.

This is the huge momument in the centre of the Seagardens in Burgas, if you look closly or even click on the photo to enlarge you will see the black part is two men using all their power to seperate the two large semi circles.





These are the statues of which line the Seagardens Parks pathways. Which I persume are some sort of past leaders of this country.

Sinemorets Coast Line.

Black Sea Coast, South of Burgas

(CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW TO SEE ENLARGEMENT)

All I can say is how lucky am I ? I have been here on the fabulous Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria for one week now and have seen such diverse scenary in such a short space of time and in such a short distance. You have to remember this is the Burgas region in the middle of winter. What it must look like in the summer is only a treat I have to look forward to.

I have been to the amazing lakes, cities, ports, numerous villages, many white sandy beaches, different up and coming holiday resorts and not to mention very nice bars which consist of excellent Bulgarian beer which can easily compete with the German and Czech Republic beers.

Personally, I had no idea what I was in for when I ventured to this spontanious to surprise my brother. Also I have to admit how much this region has to offer. I thought I was going to venture through different countries at quite a speed but with inside knowledge of now a local, I have had the pleasure to see the real Bulgaria.

A typical site on the motorways to any destination, we nearly hit it, I heard the donkey say eey-haw when we went past

Let the climbing begin. The fantastic coast line, a real treat.
I know who I took this one for.
A very daring horse, must of been some very tasty grass on the edge.
Sinomoretts Beach, a wonderful coast line full of delightful coves.
Happy days for me on the Black Sea Coast.
The ever so elegant leaping gazzele takes yet another leap to saftey.
Sozopol, with the land yet again forking out into the sea.
This is the repaired Old Town wall
The local workers are building the Old Town wall back up from the rocks which have been washed away, and I have to say they have done an impreesive job too.
These are how the old houses used to be built in Old Town Sozopol.
Just look how still the water is on the Black Sea Coast.
I hope you are still enjoying these, it was really nice in the Old Town today.
This is at 3pm in Sozopol next to the Old Town, it was wonderful, and after this sighting we well deserved a beer with the locals.