Sometimes it happens that way...
The new year starts differently than usual, with something good and memorable. I think this is happening to divert our attention and vigilance from what's to come. Unfortunately, there are no signs that it will continue to be good for some of us. A great many of us, I fear!
Last year was the year when the climate was angry and gave us more and more signs that the future would not be the same as it was before. This year I see more and more people, everywhere, more and more angry and eager for change. Change there will be, but I'm afraid we won't like it.
The beginning of the year has been very pleasant for me and maybe because those pleasant moments passed so quickly, I came to such pessimistic conclusions.
I feel that those who have read this far have already become impatient and are wondering... What could have been so good with me at the beginning of the year?
Well, at the beginning of the year, I turned a round age and because it only happens once in a lifetime (as indeed does every birthday of ours, of all of us), I've made it my mission to remember it in all my posts this month.
Yes, I turned 70... which is both good and bad. Good, because I managed to reach that age, and bad... because I reached it! In the sense that it can't last much longer... or, however long it lasts, it's still too short! Haha...
What's unique about this anniversary of mine is that I celebrated it in a very pleasant way. I received a gift of four days of vacation at the seaside. Winter!?! Yes, winter, and it was more than okay.
Again, there are two reasons for saying this: Winter didn't look like winter, it was more like spring, and the hotel we stayed at had "Spa" written at the end of the name, which is great in winter. I mean pool, saunas, jacuzzi. It was exactly what I needed, total relaxation and... a few walks.
The people who gave me this mini holiday, some good friends, knew very well about my passion for the sea and for a certain town in Bulgaria, on the Black Sea, which fascinates me and where I go every year to the sea ( only in summer). Balchik!
So I resumed my walks in Balchik and today I will tell you about one such walk...
Walk through Balchik in the off-season!
Balchik is a small town on the Black Sea in Bulgaria.
It is a place that fascinates and attracts me not only for its beauty but especially for its history.
I am Romanian and I live in Romania. Romania borders Bulgaria. That is why the history of these two countries has some common points; one is the city of Balchik.
Balchik (in Bulgarian Балчик, in Turkish Balçık, in French Baltchik, in English Balchik) is a town on the Black Sea coast, in the Dobrici region, South Dobrogea, in northeastern Bulgaria, 42 km from Varna. It is currently one of Bulgaria's Black Sea tourist attractions. From 1913 to 1940 it belonged to the Kingdom of Romania, together with the rest of Southern Dobrogea, following the Second Balkan War (June-August 1913). In 1940, Cadrilat, including Balchik, was regained by Bulgaria. Source
...
Old stories, old wars, territories occupied and then returned. Facts that once happened. These events have influenced the existence of those places and, in particular, the city of Balchik. This is because Queen Mary of Romania chose Balchik as her summer residence. She bought a large area of land on which Balchik Castle was built and beautiful gardens were laid out. The town's development was strongly influenced by the presence of the royal estate there.
Now the castle and gardens are the main tourist attractions in Balchik.
This complex consisting of a castle and gardens, plus a large greenhouse full of cacti is open all year round and tourists come every day to visit. The castle is the same in winter and summer, of course, but the gardens are not as spectacular in winter. The colors of the flowers are gone and most of the trees are leafless, but there are also many evergreen trees.
Balchik Castle and the gardens beyond the fence.
I have visited the place many times, so this time I didn't go in. I was pleased to view the royal estate from the outside, from the long promenade that borders the sea at Balchik.
Even though it was early January it was a sunny day. Only the thick coats of the walkers suggested it was cold and seasonal outside.
Part of the gardens facing the sea. The white building is the greenhouse with cacti. It houses the largest collection of cacti in south-eastern Europe.
Abandoned parasols are another common sight in winter in seaside resorts.
The villa of Prince Nicholas, son of Queen Mary, and one of the waterfalls in these gardens. The large green-leaved tree in the middle is a magnolia grandiflora.
The Korona terrace so crowded in summer is now deserted and sleepy. In a few months, it will recover.
The beach in front of the castle. Sad as any winter beach.
Promenade
I think I said the weather was particularly beautiful and very far from what it should have been in the middle of winter. Global warming is showing its power and has changed the face of the seasons. Taking advantage of such beautiful weather, many of the winter tourists, whom I am seeing for the first time, chose walking and sports.
A bit of sunbathing in winter, isn't it?
Beach on the bench...
The usual beach spot has put up its umbrellas and is waiting for summer to come.
The Black Sea
We came for the sea. Paradoxically, we go to the sea... for the sea and then realize that we give the least time to the sea. When we remember that we will be leaving soon, we suddenly miss the sea and try to take it with us in our photos, to the surprise of a local cat, eager to see more people there.
All this time of our walk the sea was going about its business. It was the same as summer but much colder.
There is a saying: Summer is not like winter! And the reverse is true... Winter is not like summer! No matter how warm, no matter how clear and sunny it is, winter is not like summer...
But it looks like autumn!
Hiya, @ybanezkim26 here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2122.
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Thanks for the selection. It is always a great pleasure and joy to find myself among these wonderful colleagues.
That they do so much good that in the same way they go to walk over beautiful places every day. When a person gets older, all these things start to look more beautiful. We must go, seeing such beautiful sights relaxes our mind so much.
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It means you're young. When you're old, not everything is so good.
Yeah you are right.
First off a belated Happy Birthday you have a few years on me I turned 64 yesterday and had similar thoughts as you
that spa looks beautiful
Thanks for joining the Wednesday Walk
Have a great day
Thank you! I'm in the same situation as you and I wish you a belated Happy Birthday!
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Thank you!
What a beautiful place, what a comforting mini holiday, I imagined walking in that place and said to myself how relaxing.
The last three pictures I liked the most! Thank you!😃
Thank you! It's a nice place to holiday.
Very beautiful!
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Thank you!
Ah, beautiful Balchik, once again :)
Always great to see it through your lens too!
!DHEDGE
Thank you. I am now under the impression of a recent trip.
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Thank you!
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Happy birthday dear @bluemoon, although I am late, but wishes are wishes even when they are belated and I wish you all the best with all my heart! Good health, love, luck and great travels!
So happy you had such a great gift. Your friends know you well and this place looks awesome! Well deserved :)
As you can see, I'm very late in responding too, dear @traisto!
It seems to be a paradox that I respond late to those I appreciate most... but it's not. I do this because I want to respond when I have enough time to say whatever I want.
I was glad when I saw you started writing here again. I hope it's a sign that the stress of the changes in your life has passed. I hope you have found a path that leads to good in your new place of living. I saw in Stefanos' posts how beautiful the city is. I understand it is the town of your childhood. I saw that Marcos has many pleasant walks.
I'm glad you're back in town and left the farm experiment, which must have been very hard, physically. You must be very busy now and I hope that what you are doing satisfies you. I often think of you two. Thanks for the wishes!
I totally understand what you mean by why responding late, same here for the same reasons!
I have finally found a rhythm that allows me to spend time here as well. I had missed it. A lot. I was reading some posts, but it seemed huge to reply or write a new post. I guess that's a progress! Nafplio helps, it is a very nice place, life is definitely easier here, although there are so many things I have to do, mostly work and walks but I am quite happy with that :)
Really glad you are well! We also often talk about you and we are dreaming of a trip up there! Don't forget that there is no see to cross anymore :)
That's the most important thing, to be satisfied, to be happy. Life takes care of the rest.
Yes, there's no sea to cross... but how many seas are left to cross, especially for you, who are young. Fortunately, you are part of a seafaring people.
So much I wish we had a good year!