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Post by crystal on Sept 22, 2006 7:11:15 GMT -5
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 24, 2006 21:16:53 GMT -5
Bulgaria - nice one Shell!
I haven't been for about 5 years, but last time I went I spent time on the Black Sea at an old Communist holiday camp - interesting, in a good way!
Let us know how you enjoyed it and where you visited. Watch out for those cyrillic signs - they'll get you every time! ;D
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Post by crystal on Sept 30, 2006 8:39:27 GMT -5
Well hello ;D Had a great time in Bulgaria. I stayed in the Black Sea resort of Sunny Beach  We got a cheap package deal otherwise this would not have been my location of choice. It's purpose built for tourists so you can imagine it did not offer a true view of Bulgaria. However it did provide a good base for exploring the Black Sea coast. I'll give you a quick run down of the places that I visited. Burgas- I found this city fasinating because of it's communist past. It's not exactly a pretty town, very industrial but to see the large column statues of past communist leaders and see the loud speaker still erected on the streets really give you a feel of how the city must have been in the past. As you drive into the city all the tower blocks are numbered with huge stenciled lettering and many road still have barriers erected. Varna - The capital of the Black Sea area and Bulgaria's second biggest city. The only way to describe Burgas vs Varna would be to compare Glasgow with Edinburgh. Industrial vs Cultured. This is a much more 'European' city. Very nice and quite relaxed. Large, open pedestrian areas with a good cafe scene and really good restaurants. There is also a really nice beach area. The cathedral in the middle of the city is very impressive. I can see this city becoming very popular with visitors. Nessebar - This small fishing town shows alot of the Ottaman and Greek influence. It contrasts with the communist influenced areas. It is very pretty and has many historical features to explore down the cobbled streets. However the cruise ships that stop in the port have meant that the town has developed to cater for tourists rather than respecting it's heritage. But all places have to develop and create a living for the local people. I hope they preserve the beautiful history that is here. Overall I love Bulgaria. It still has that blend of ancient history, recent history and modern living. It is very very cheap (remember I'm from the UK). In Sunny Beach (built for tourist so possible more expensive than most places) a large meal for two in a restaurant with a few drinks would cost around £10. A large beer is 1lev roughly 28-30p ;D compared with over £2 at home. However with Bulgaria's entry into the EU in January prices look set to rise. The public transport between towns is reliable and cheap if sometimes over crowded. There is a problem with money changers hassling you and beggers but frankly you must be INSANE  to change money with some random person on the street. There are plenty of legitamate places around to not run the risk of getting old Yugoslavian money or just down right fakes. Oh yeah and Madamtrashheap those cyrillic signs bit of a problem when faced with two toilet doors to work out male and female. Takes some getting used to ;D |
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Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 4, 2006 1:45:01 GMT -5
Oh yeah and Madamtrashheap those cyrillic signs bit of a problem when faced with two toilet doors to work out male and female. Takes some getting used to ;D Speaking of toilets (I so know what you mean about the signs on the doors - no pretty pictures to help you!), the cathedral in Varna (last time I was there it was jet black an in need of a large clean) has quite possibly the world's worst toilet in the centre underneath it - think "Trainspotting" toilet and you're getting close! Eeeewww. So glad you enjoyed your time there. I like it too, but it will be interesting to see how fast it changes once the EU Membership kicks in. So cool that you stayed on the Black Sea, even if it was purpose built. Spot on comparison between Burgas and Varna - great description. You're our new Bulgaria expert now! ;D |
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Post by crystal on Oct 6, 2006 14:01:17 GMT -5
;D
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Post by me on Oct 6, 2006 14:59:28 GMT -5
i was scratching my head here until i figured out that i had Burgas and Burgos mixed up! ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 10, 2006 2:11:22 GMT -5
i was scratching my head here until i figured out that i had Burgas and Burgos mixed up! ;D Yeah, they're not too far apart...!  |
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We got a cheap package deal otherwise this would not have been my location of choice. It's purpose built for tourists so you can imagine it did not offer a true view of Bulgaria.
to change money with some random person on the street. There are plenty of legitamate places around to not run the risk of getting old Yugoslavian money or just down right fakes.
