How the other half live

St Vlas is just one of hundreds of resorts along this coast. Thousands of hotels and penziiones ,mostly filled with Russian and East European tourists. It was never a problem finding somewhere . Eg, this one with a pool, $40 a night

The next place south was the ancient town of Nessebar. The cruise ship had 6 kiwi couples on board. You can see in the photo how interested they all are in the ruins!

We rode a little further on and booked into this cheapy. I know, I'm drinking too much beer but it's so CHEAP

There's a few English live along here, much cheaper to live, but boy are they bored. Highlight of the day they said was 'happy hour'

On the way to Burgas next day, we passed the old state salt farm. Part of it still produces salt and part of it is used as a health spa. Very entertaining !

They lay in the salty brine, then cover themselves in salty mud

Then make their way over the road to the sea where they bask in the sun for a while like a herd of walruses before washing it off

Burgas is the nicest city I've seen in the East, beautiful parks, beaches, and heaps of car free boulevards with street music in the evenings

This band were fantastic, a bunch of muso's from all over the world including the woman on the left ,Linda Joy, from Wellington. 

When we returned later to our hotel ,there were 2 more cyclists there so we had breakfast with them the next day

That's Emil from Germany in yellow, and Doug from Scotland. We saw them off after breakfast, both heading for Istanbul with Emil carrying on east to Turzakstan

We'll beat them there because we're catching the midnight bus . YES ! 

  Actually tried to get a train pass but it proved too difficult from here. 

Down the Bulgarian Coast

 Our apartment was close to the beach so even Christine got in 

  It is only 11kms south to the Bulgarian border, most of it on the only cycle way we've found in Romania.

We got on the road by 5.30 to beat the heat and the traffic. Good move, we had a lovely ride 60kms to Balcik , then booked in to a hotel on the 'hill'

That's Christine's pink top drying, and that mobility scooter is doing at least 30k

   Stancho, on the right, is the restaurant owner next door,who yearns for the old communist days

'Down' the hill is the beach and the fishing port. Took the bus or taxi when we headed down ,as it was more mountain than hill. 

  While admiring the yachts , I had the great fortune to meet 2 cruising yachties from Florida , Russ and Mary Kay 

They offered us a lift south to St Vlas, a little port just outside Burgas. They are on their way to Greece and we wanted a railhead in south Bulgaria so it was too good a chance to turn down

Loaded the bikes on at 7am,next morning, and motor sailed all day to where we are now in St Vlas

Now this is what you call CRUIZING !!

  Autopilot is controlling the yacht while Russ sits poised to use his finger on the button of the sheet winch.

Me ? I can't stop smiling as I watch a particular hilly piece or country slip by from my seat. Christine was happy to spot several dolphins on the way

The wind dropped off in the afternoon but we still made port by 5pm. 

 

The best part of travelling is the people you meet along the way. I know, ! I've said it before but as we were dropped off on the wharf it sprung to mind again

Cruise mode

That was a lovely break. They're doing up the city around the waterfront area. It's going to be lovely. The panoramic shot is from the top of a mosque just along the street from our hotel.

Now here's an interesting fashion here. People shave their pussy's , then walk with them on a lead.

   This old gypsy lady towed the crippled man around on a cart ,begging. Seemed to work , she got a few notes 

On Saturday we caught the bus to rugby park. No rugby but they were playing Oina, the national sport, a bit like bull rush with baseball bats. Crazy!

We watched it for half an hour then took a taxi to the REAL game. It was a big match and the standard was great. I'd compare it to a top provincial match in NZ

Watching the game on TV that night they showed us several times . (Talent scouts maybe )

   We biked down the coast to the resort of Mangalia. It's lovely here and cheaper than Constanta

Beautiful evenings walking with the locals, eating corn on the cob and listening to opera on the harbour edge