Varna, Bulgaria

Our next adventure was to Varna, Bulgaria to bask in the golden sands of the Black Sea. We had been to Zlatni Pyasatsi (Golden Sands) when we were in Bulgaria a couple of years ago, however we only spent one day at the Sea and I really wanted to return when we could stay longer and when the weather was warmer. Be careful what you wish for. We stayed for four days and it was HOT, maybe not as hot as Croatia, but steamy enough!

Check out this rental car we got from Avis. This is what you get in Bulgaria if you are a Preferred Gold member. Quality. Nothing fancy about his car. Doesn't even have power locks or hub caps and had only been smoked in about 100 thousand times.

We spent a good portion of our time in Golden Sands laying under cabanas on the beach beside the Black Sea. It was so hot, we would take a swim in the sea, then run across the hot sand to our lounge chairs and lay in the sun to dry out. We pretty much did this all day for two full days. It was true vacation AND we didn't get any sunburns! Wow, who's that white boy swimming out there?

Mr. G made a new special friend on the beach, Pluto the Bulgarian. How that guy didn't die of heat stroke in that furry costume is beyond me. He claimed the suit was air conditioned.

We did take a break from the beach and went in to the town of Varna where we strolled around the market looking for great deals on junk. I really wanted to get some Bulgarian dishes, which they say are all handmade. Each plate is unique with interesting painted designs. I'm excited to get these works of art hung on my kitchen wall.

Mr. G was making friends everywhere he turned. Sascho here owned the booth next to the dish lady. He said, "Bulgaria is a great country, just nobody has any money." He also noted that all he needs to be happy is "a two bedroom apartment, a salad, a little brandy and a t.v." He was quite comical. He had all the ladies laughing around us.

While in Bulgaria, all Mr. G wanted to eat was banitsa, a Bulgarian breakfast pastry made of filo and cheese (like feta). It was impossible to find in Golden Sands, but once we got to Varna, this hound sniffed out the closest bakery and bought himself the delightful snack. I prefer the roll filled with marmalade myself.

Another treat Mr. G was after was a type of sausage or hot dog. I call it the Sketchy Dog because the meat is kind of mysterious and looks like it can do nothing but stop your heartbeat, or at least send you straight to the bathroom.

While in Bulgaria, we made a short trip up the Black Sea coast to a town called Balchik, where we stopped by the Summer Palace Queen Marie & Botanical Gardens.

Here's Queen Marie's 'small and romantic' palace. Interesting place, with a great view of the sea and the lush gardens.

Pimp My Lada
The Lada. Russian car made during communism. Generally you see Sascho and the fellas stacked in these things with a crate of tomatoes on top. This particular Lada is 18 years old and one of the finer Lada's I've seen. Usually they are rust buckets and wobbly wheels. I want to get one and bring it to America and pimp it out. I'll trade in the Acura for a Lada any day.