#landlocked main bathroom

[missroxelot]

Sacramento Modern Bathroom

[owl-writing]

Brought Together Across Timelines Main Cast

Each character has run the course of their lives until they died in their setting, and have now woken up in the middle of nowhere in Missouri.

Agnes Proto "PR070"

Agnes Proto, better known by her callsign "PR070", was a starship mechanic in a space-based science-fiction setting. She died in a ship failure accident and woke up back on Earth, in a vastly different time from when she was from. She's generally the tech guy, using her extensive knowledge of her timeline's technology and her patchwork knowledge of our modern technology to make sure things work like they're supposed to. She is decidedly human, though she's known many literal aliens thanks to her adventures on her previous ship.

Clyde Miller "Beatdown"

Clyde "Beatdown" Miller was great at shakedowns. At least, until he found himself on the wrong end of a bullet. Now he's adapting to technology a hundred years ahead of his time, in a location that isn't as kind to dragon-like lizard men as his city was. He's using his strength to help out around the house while he gets his massive feet under him.

Empyreal Avenger "Manuel Rodriguez"

Manuel Rodriguez was born with superstrength, the power of flight, and the powers of light and warmth. When he turned eighteen, he was scooped up by a league of heroes before he could even blink, and he has molded himself into the paragon Empyreal Avenger over the course of twenty years, to the point where it's become his primary identity. But the paragon failed one day, falling to his nemesis, and found himself in middle-of-nowhere Missouri instead of the metropolitan he lived in before. He's adapting to a more rural area with less supervillain activity.

Gregory Preston

One of the two people who didn't actually die, Gregory Preston was living on the farm of his partner (William) while he worked for the butcher shop. It was surprising to his customers to walk in and see him, given that he's a human-sized rabbit guy, but he tries not to worry about it. He's worked in the butcher shop since he was a young man, and now, in his mid thirties, he owns the place and runs it.

Helen Spike

Helen is from a late-to-post-apocalyptic timeline where, to hear her tell it, "everyone lost their goddamn minds". She worked as a sniper to protect the settlement she lived in, but a raid left her dead - and led to her waking up back in time to a pre-apocalyptic version of Earth. She spends quite a bit of time pondering whether or not this is actually the past of her world or if it's an alternate timeline, so needless to say, the existential crisis is strong in this one. She's human, but worries that she's brought back some concerning effects from her time. She's one of the younger humans in this situation, being in her early twenties.

Johnny Mason

Everyone knows the story of the Devil going down to Georgia, but what happened to Johnny the fiddler after that? Well, the Devil didn't claim his soul, but he also didn't go to Heaven due to the deal he made with the Devil, so he exists as a cursed revenant of his former self. Needless to say, he thinks it sucks, especially because he can't talk and has to use shit like pen and paper to communicate with his new housemates (who can at least see him, but not all of them can read English). At least he's still in his home, even though it's been passed down to his descendant, William.

Lindhurst Tempest

Lindhurst was once a pirate on the high seas but was killed during a mutiny - and he wasn't even the captain! Now he's in landlocked Missouri and it's driving him nuts. Especially since he's not exactly human, despite looking like it. A landlocked merfolk used to the sea and trapped in human form because he doesn't know if he can swim safely in the lakes and rivers of Missouri leads to quite a few cases where he's overfilled the bathtub and flooded the bathroom. He's not coping well.

Niobe Turner

Niobe was a traveling mage-merchant but was murdered by some penny-pinching adventurers. Now she's in Missouri with all of her magic and skills, but needs to learn to adapt to Missouri's flora and fauna. It's no problem for this skilled shapeshifter, but she'd prefer to find a way back to her original timeline and get revenge on the adventurers who killed her.

Pallene Thompson "Titania"

Pallene was Empyreal Avenger's sidekick and met her end the same way he did. She was born to a human mother and an alien father, giving her many powerful abilities like flight, energy manipulation, and human empathy. Like her mentor, she's adapting to rural Missouri and its relative lack of supervillains. She's gotten a job in the local library, flying to work instead of dealing with the problem of getting her driver's permit renewed.

Redline Carson

A plague doctor from a steampunk setting, Redline succumbed to the very disease they were treating others for. They're working on understanding that they need to take care of themself just as much as they care for others and has adapted possibly the easiest of the displaced peoples in this Missouri home, getting a job at the county health department half an hour's drive away and obtaining a driver's license of their own. The only problem is the whole "has never removed their mask so we don't know what they are" thing. There are various nonformal bets going around the others in the house, including things like "that's their actual face" and "they have anxiety so they don't want to show their face".

Shania Whittaker

Shania was a prodigial gunslinger from a western setting, practically undefeated in a duel, but met her end at an early age regardless. Now she's in Missouri and honestly dealing pretty well with the different climate. She works for a local antique/secondhand store that's down the street from the library that Pallene works at, so Pallene usually just carries her while flying to work. She also got to keep her horse, Spitfire, so that's who most of her income goes to.

William Willis

Descended from legendary folk hero Johnny Mason, William originally thought that the farm they inherited was too small for them and their boyfriend, Gregory. And then they found a bunch of people from vastly different genres in the field. So they now have to balance their job, their farm (thankfully not one full of animals, but still), and their new charges. Please help them, they are exhausted.

[mrktimes]

YOUR WEEK IN MERROCK AUGUST 21 - 27

A beautiful week in town, between the warm temperatures and the big ole pool party taking place for anyone who wants to stop by and enjoy themselves! Make sure to get out there and enjoy it, especially as it’s the last week before the kids go back to school.

FORECAST:

Sunday: 78°F / 62°F - partly cloudy

Monday: 74°F / 65°F - cloudy

Tuesday: 75°F / 63°F - scattered storms

Wednesday: 78°F / 64°F - partly cloudy

Thursday: 77°F / 65°F - mostly sunny

Friday: 80°F / 60°F - sunny

Saturday: 77°F / 62°F - sunny

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

August 26 - Nari Gim.

ON THE BULLETIN BOARD:

August 21-27 - End of Summer Pool Party.

LOCATION SPOTLIGHT:

PUBLIC POOL -- over in the suburbs of Merrock, you’ll find the public pool (which we’re spotlighting just for our big event this week)! Besides the massive main pool (which has slides and diving boards!), we also have a kiddie pool, and a sunbathing pool. There’s a snack and refreshment stand open daily, as well as changing and bathrooms. Perfect way to wind down summer! Open to everyone 8AM to 8PM with adult swim 8PM to 10PM.

MAINE FUN FACT:

The Maine state fish is the landlocked salmon. So, ya know, make like a fish and enjoy the pool this week!

[writing-prompts-for-friends]

Questions to Help World Build

I’ve realized I have a big problem with my writing. I am awful at world-building. Like, I just start writing without thinking about the world. And since I write fantasy. Well. That’s pretty no bueno and leads to all kinds of problems down the road. So I did some brainstorming with my friends and we created a list of over 100 questions to help think about our stories’ worlds and make them more concrete. Thanks to everyone who chimed in and gave me a hand! 

A traditional Japanese clock, wadokei, that counted hours from 9 to 4, starting from sunrise, and then starting once again from sunset. (1-3 were not used for religious purposes.) They’re super interesting and confusing. You should definitely check them out.

Temporal

Is your story set in the past, present, or future?

Specifically, what year(s), month(s), day(s)?

Are days 24 hours? Or does time pass differently in this world?

How many months are there in a year? Is it a seven day weekday? Does the concept of weekends exist?

Have most existing societies developed a timekeeping device?

Is there a way to communicate across long distances?

The concept of time zones is still relatively new to our world. Prior to the late nineteenth century, timekeeping was a purely local phenomenon. Each town would set their clocks to noon when the sun reached its zenith each day. Do standardized time zones exist across the world?

Geographical

From a planet perspective, is it Earth? If it is not Earth, or an alternative version of Earth, what is it like? Is gravity the same? Does it have a moon or multiple moons? Can you see other planets? Is it closer or further from the sun? If so, what impact does that have on the climate and passage of time?

What town, state, region, country, continent, planet does this story take place in? What are its bordering/nearest neighbors? Draw a world map if you want.

What kind of land is it? Landlocked? Mountainous? Along the sea? Desert? Tundra? Tropical forest? Plains? Agricultural? Industrial?

What kind of plants and animals are common to the area? Are there any that do not exist in the real world?

What are the most common crops and livestock in various regions? What geographic features influence certain regions ability to grow/raise their crops and livestock (positively and negatively)? Are the regions diets strongly influenced by what they are able to grow themselves, or do other circumstances (like strong international trade) allow them to have more varied selections? How does religion influence what is considered ‘normal’ to eat?

What, if any, natural disasters are common to the region? Earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, monsoons, blizzards?

How many seasons does it have? Are any longer than others?

What is the typical weather like for those seasons?

Does the region have any unusual geographical features that set it apart? Perhaps there is some weird thing like Devil’s Tower just chilling out. Or hot springs because of volcanic activity?

Is it easy to travel from place to place within the area? Is it difficult to travel because of terrain/technology issues, or because travel is strictly regulated?

Main Locations: Cities

Many stories take place within one city. In Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, a character remarks, “So, if a city has a personality, maybe it also has a soul. Maybe it dreams.” What personality does this city have? What soul does it have? What does it dream of when it slumbers? If your story takes place within a settlement, town, or city, give these questions some thought.

Exactly where is it located within the lands you conjured up in the above Geography questions? Does it have a bay? A river? Does it butt up against mountains? Draw a map of the city.

How big is the city? Is it compact, or sprawling?

How old is the city?

What is the history of the city? How did it come to be? What tumults and triumphs has it seen?

What is the population? Is it currently increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same?

Does the town have any claim to fame? Any tourist attractions? What are they? What’s the story behind them?

If it’s a big enough city, how many and what kind of districts does it have? Residential, Commercial, Industrial, etc. Where are they?

Are there any areas that are deemed unsafe? If so, where are they and why are they unsafe?

Is there public transportation? What kind, bus, tram, train, subway, monorail? Is it good?

How do people get around this city if not by public transportation?

Are the roads narrow or wide? Crisscrossing in a methodical grid or higgledy-piggledy?

What are the buildings like? What materials are they made of? If they’re wooden, are they new wood, old wood? If they’re painted, what colors? If they’re stone, what stone? If they’re brick, is it new red brick or blackened, crumbling brick? If they’re glass and metal, are they sparkling with new hope or dull and jaded?

Are there many skyscrapers? Or are most buildings 1-3 stories tall? What does the skyline look like?

Are there many parks?

How is the city powered? Coal? Hydroelectric? Wind? Nuclear? Has it always been so?

What is the city’s main source of revenue? Agriculture? Tourism? Manufacturing? Mining? Something else? A combination? Dive deeper into this. If it’s agriculture, what do they grow? Tourism–what is famous? etc. This will help to determine what a lot of people do for a living.

What are the demographics? Ethnicity, age distribution, distribution of upper, middle, and lower class, etc.

How many schools are there? Universities? Are any of them good? Do they specialize in anything? Do schools even exist? Perhaps there are clans that teach their children everything they need, for example, or education isn’t viewed as important.

Are there any particular landmarks within the city that standout?

How many and what kind of restaurants are there?

Are there supermarkets, open air markets, or both?

Where do young people go to spend time? What about adults?

Do people there bustle or do they amble?

What are the nights like? Does the city grow quiet, or does it grow rowdy?

What does the city smell like?

If you had to give your town a color, one that represented its personality, what color would it be?

Main Locations: Houses (or buildings, but mainly houses)

There are many stories that have a house or headquarters or hospital or some sort of building as their main setting. These questions will mostly be geared towards helping you figure out a house, but you can apply these to other buildings too probably.

Exactly where is the house located within the city or outside the city? How does your character usually get there? Draw a map. 

What year was the house built?

Was this house built by the current family or their ancestors? Who else lived in the house before the current dwellers? What were they like? Did they leave their mark on the house somehow?

What style is the house? Bungalow? Cabin? A shed? A cave? (makes the following questions mostly useless if so lol)

How many stories is it?

What is it made of? Wood? Brick? What color is it?

Does it have a lot of windows?

Are the curtains usually open or drawn? Are thee curtains at all?

What does the front door look like? 

Is there a porch?

You enter the front door. Or maybe you don’t. Maybe you use the side door because the front door is for show or something. Anyways. You enter the house. What room do you step foot into?

Draw out the floor plans for each floor. How many rooms are there? Where are they? How big are they? How are they connected? What color are they? What style of decor?

Is there a basement? Is it used or is it just a home for spiders and darkness and unwanted things? How about an attic? Crawlspace?

How many bathrooms? 

Are there any rooms that only certain people are allowed to enter? If so, why? 

What is the flooring? Carpet? Wood? Tile? Linoleum? 

What does the house smell like?

Government/Military/Economy

In other words, “the boring stuff,” if you ask me. But this is a very important aspect of any world. 

What sort of government is in place? Democracy, oligarchy, etc? Is it a just or corrupt government?

How are goods exchanged? Bartering? Money? Coins and bills? Credit cards? A specific kind of sea shell? Lol

What are the police like? Strict? Lax? Is there a curfew?

Do taxes exist? If so, do the people feel as though they are heavily or unduly taxed?

Where is the intersection between theology and law? Is it common to have religious leaders in positions of power? Are laws based around religious ideology, or is there an effort to keep them separate?

Is there an organised structure devoted to halting criminal acts? Are they corrupt? Who runs the organisation? How does their reputation change based on demographic? What is the history of the organisation, and how does that history influence how it operates today?

Regarding potentially criminal acts, what is the elgality of prostitution, sex work, ect.?

What about drugs and other illicit substances? Alcohol, illicit drugs, recreational use. Legality, festivity, age limits, etc.

Underbelly. How prevalent is crime, what sort of crime (scaled from pickpocketing to human trafficking) is there? Are there areas that have bad reputations because of it?

Regarding war, are there currently conflicts in the world? Are they international or civil wars? How common is it to have an active war? What is the history of war? What does current warfare look like (Is it dudes in metal suits swinging swords? Have longbows been invented? Gunpowder? Tanks? Missiles?) Is military service mandatory or voluntary? How is the military seen? Is there a sense of patriotism for the military, or does the common man fear it?

Is there stigma around certain genders entering the military? Are come genders regarded as better recruits than others? Is it illegal for some genders to enter the military? Does a person's sexuality affect their ability to serve?

How has religion influenced war? Have there been holy wars in the past? Do any religious institutions hold their own military forces?

Cultural/Historical

I’ve put these together because events in history lead to cultural change. You can apply these questions not only to the world/country, but also the city or even the neighborhood, workplace, or school that your story takes place in.

What is the history of the region? Who was it settled by? Was another group of people displaced? After that, did any new cultures come in? Did they get along?

Were there ever any wars or serious conflicts in the region? What was the cause and what was the outcome of the war if there was one?

In our world, the internet, social media, and film/tv are massive cultural drivers. They determine the latest fashions, jokes, topics, and expressions. What are the big cultural drivers in your world? Books? Plays? Radio? Oral tradition?

Is it a collectivistic or individualistic society?

What languages are spoken by your characters? Is multilingualism common?

What sorts of cultures can be seen? Do any clash? Do any mesh?

What sort of foods are most common?

What superstitions do people hold? Is there a version of “knock on wood” or throwing salt over your shoulder after a funeral? What are the roots of these superstitions?

Are there religions? If so, what are they? Do any conflict with each other? Are zealots or extremists an issue?

Does slavery or indentured servitude exist?

Are there any class or caste systems? If so, what are they, and what does an average day look like for a member of each class/caste?

How does a person's appearance change from country to country? Do certain countries have very distinct fashions? If so, are the fashions influenced by religion, surrounding countries, the cultural majority or international trade partners?

How does a person's clothing relate to their social standing? Is it very easy to assume someone's roll by appearance alone? Are there punishments for dressing above or below your social standing?

Does the society place a great deal of importance on a person's presentation, or is the society more lenient on such things?

Is there an emphasis on conformity to a dress code, or is individuality encouraged? How strictly is clothing regulated by gender binary? Is it commonplace to see a man and a woman walking down the street in the same cut of clothes? Is there a social stigma when a person does not conform to the most common form of dress for their gender?

How are sexual rights viewed? Does the LGBTQ community have the same rights as people outside the community? How are sex acts between people of the same sex viewed? Is it legal? Taboo? Are there cultures that encourage those relationships in some circumstances (like how the romans were down with guys with guys in the military)?

Are there any groups of people that are victims of prejudice? If so, who are they, who holds these views against them, and what views specifically are they?

In regards to gender, do certain societies hold differing beliefs? Is there a commonly accepted number of gender identities or does it change regionally? Is the most common gender spectrum a binary, or do certain racial and cultural differences allow for a wider range to be seen as the baseline?

Are children raised by their biological parents or are children considered to be in the care of the wider community? Is it common/acceptable for extended family to raise children, such as parents needing to study, work, or serve time in the military? Is adoption a common thing in society? Is there a stigma around adoption/being adopted? Do cultural or religious views impact how adoption is seen by the wider community? What is adoption like for a single perspective parent? When adopting, is interracial adoption accepted/common, or is it seen in a negative light? Are some societies more open to adopting children outside of their own race?

How is sex and virginity viewed? Does religion influence it? What is the age of consent? What is appropriate on a first, second, third date? Is sex something that is talked about openly, or something taboo? Are you supposed to wait until marriage? Do couples stay monogamous while dating? Do some regions place higher importance on virginity than others? Do some place higher importance on one gender’s virginity than others?

How is marriage viewed? Are arranged marriages a big thing, or are people free to choose? Is monogamy common? How is a marriage symbolized? A wedding ring, or something different?

How is divorce viewed? What is the divorce rate? Can people remarry?

Magic and the Supernatural

If magic or spooky stuff doesn’t exist in your story, disregard this section.

Does magic exist? If so, who can use it? What are the limitations to their magic? What things are they capable of using their magic to do? What things are they incapable of doing?

Are there laws against what kind of magic can/cannot be used? What sort of laws? Who enforces them? What are the punishments for breaking said laws if they exist?

How does the existence of magic affect religion? Are there religious institutions that infuse magic into their worship? Are there religious sects that see magic as immoral and in direct opposition to their faith? Have there been conflicts in recent or ancient history between religion and the supernatural? Do some sects employ people to hunt and/or enforce law over the supernatural?

Assuming that magic does exist, is it taught? Are there different schools of magic? Is there a system of ranking for magic users based on their skill level?

Do non-magic users look towards magic users with respect or fear?

What role does magic play in this world? Has technology not advanced because magic solves many problems? Or has technology advanced and the use of some magics has become unnecessary?

Are there any mythological creatures/monsters, such as vampires, demons, skinwalkers, dragons, or other creatures of your own creation? Are they common? Do people believe in their existence? Do people worship them? Where can they be found? Do they interact with humans? Do humans fear them or try to put up with them as they do nature?

Do the dead continue to exist in some form, such as ghosts or zombies or the like? Can the dead be summoned or brought back to life?

Are there human/supernatural hybrids? Perhaps a half-demon half-human, for example? How are these people viewed by their peoples, and by society as a whole?

How has the supernatural influenced war? Do armies tend to have a mix of regular and supernatural soldiers/weapons? Have there been wars between the supernatural/magical and those without? How does magic influence a person standing in a mixed army? Is it more likely for a magical being to be promoted than a non-magical being? Conversely, are supernatural being forced into service and seen as pawns?

The End!

Please feel free to reblog and share, and add on any questions you think should be added!

[gaycrouton]

Luxurious

Words of Love 12/27 [ Some men want gold, some men want power, Mulder would be perfectly content with nothing, as long as he has Scully in his arms]

Luxurious: (adjective) extremely comfortable, elegant, or enjoyable.

Between the two of them, Mulder was always in charge of setting up the travel arrangements whenever they went on a case. Plane tickets, rental cars, motel rooms; he was fluent in knowing what places were Bureau approved and how far in advance he needed to make the arrangements. He never made a mistake. Well, until right now.

He’d like to blame it on recent exhaustion, maybe an error in communication, but really, he had just plain forgot to make the hotel reservations. Now he was having to barter with a non-compliant hotel clerk in the middle of nowhere with a jet-lagged Scully waiting in the car.

“Fine. If there really aren’t any adjoining rooms left, could we just get two separate rooms, any size beds?”

“What part of ‘we only have one room available’  are you confused about?” The clerk was a haggard, forty year old man who looked like he had seen more of the world than he would have cared to.

“The part where a ran down motel service in the middle of nowhere is completely booked up.” Mulder snapped back, hours of driving making him more irritable than usual.

“Well, ‘middle’ is right. This right here is the exact middle of the landlocked United States. Tourists love that, and we are the only motel service in the area, for your information.” The man was oddly proud of this, most likely incorrect information.

“I’ll make sure to write home about it. Fine, I’ll take the room.” Putting up a fight required more effort than Mulder wanted to spend. The clerk turned to the cash register, typed some things in, and handed Mulder a printed copy of the receipt to sign.

Handling the rest of the transaction and offering a resentful ‘thank you’, Mulder made his way back out to the car to see Scully had just finished getting all their bags out and ready.

“Scully, they only had one room left, I’m so sorry.”” He waited for the reprimand that never came.

She simply shrugged her shoulders and said, “It’s only for a night,” before taking one of the keys and making her way to their room. Mulder was honestly a bit excited about the prospect of sharing a room with Scully. He felt like he knew her better than anyone, but some days she remained a total enigma.

He followed behind her diligently, his own bags in hand. He watched her move to open the door with an elegance he swore only she possessed. She bent down to set her bags on the ground while she tried to open the door, running an exhausted hand through her hair. She moved with an absolute fluidity that held him in a trace, the only thing able to pull him away was her terse voice sighing, “Really, Mulder?”

He quickly darted his gaze, worried he had been caught staring when he noticed her eyes skeptically glaring at something in the room. “What’s wrong- oh shit.” Looking over her shoulder, he saw exactly what had set her off.

There was only one bed in the room. A queen.

He immediately cursed himself for not asking the clerk for clarification. He had just assumed it would have been implied that if he had wanted adjoining rooms in the first place, only having one bed may have been an issue. “Scully, I’m really sorry. I forgot to call in advance. I’ll take the couch and you can have the bed.” He offered, hoping she would accept his apology.

She slowly made her way into the room and took a quick look around before setting her stuff on the bed and putting her hands on her hips. “There is no couch, Mulder,” she sighed.

“I can sleep in the car.” His offer was met with a hearty eye-roll and a light chuckle.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I promise I won’t fondle you in your sleep if you promise me the same,” she joked to make light of the adolescent awkwardness in the air.

Mulder felt like one of those old cartoon characters with their eyes bulging unrealistically out of their head. Scully, his Scully, miss play-by-the-rules, just agreed to sleep in the same bed as him. Not only that, she was the one to suggest it of her own volition. To top it all off, she just lightly flirted with him.

“Okay. I promise you I won’t fondle myself in my sleep,” he joked back, earning a rare, toothy smile from Scully. “I also promise not to fondle you. Boy Scouts honor.” To emphasize his point he placed one hand over his chest and raised the other hand in the air, fingers split in between the middle and ring finger.”

She gave him an amused glance before adding, “Funny, I didn’t know the Boy Scout motto was ‘Live Long and Prosper.”

“You didn’t hear, they recently updated it. Wanted their message to apply across all galaxies.”

“Ah, is that so.” She was trying to repress her smile, but he saw it peeking through her eyes as she started removing her shoes. Without her heels, he was amused to note that the top of her head didn’t even reach even with his shoulders. “So do you have a preference.” Her meaning was lost on him and his face must have said so because she clarified, “Side of the bed. What side do you usually sleep on?”

He had temporarily forgotten about the fact that they were going to be sharing a bed tonight and the boyish nerves came back to him in full force. “Oh, um. Well usually I sleep on the couch, so I don’t have a preference.”

Grabbing her stuff, she started to move to the left side of the bed, farthest away from the bathroom and main doors. “I’ll take window side then.”

While Mulder started fiddling with his side, Scully started pulling her toiletries methodically out of her bag. “I was going to take a shower or did you want to go first?”

“Thanks for asking, but I took one this morning.” She smiled in response and made her way to the bathroom.

For the next thirty minutes, Mulder tried desperately to focus on the television, willing himself to ignore the fact that Scully was less than ten feet away from him completely and utterly naked and wet. Okay he was trying to ignore it, he didn’t say he was succeeding. Any of his prior excitement had been dampened when it went from two beds to one.

On a surface level, Mulder as a hot-blooded male, could not help but appreciate the fact that his partner was absolutely beautiful. But it was more than that and he knew it. Pretending that his attraction was only physical belittled the validity of his intense feelings. He loved her, and he had for years. Having to pretend like sleeping in the same bed as her wasn’t monumentally significant for his was going to be hard. Many things were going to be hard that night and he knew it.

He was distracted from is train of thought after he heard a muffled, “Goddamn it” come from the bathroom. Actually paying attention now, he realized that the shower had turned off and he didn’t hear any sounds coming from the bathroom. Until he heard that same voice call out again, “Mulder?”

He was up in a second and briskly walked to the bathroom door. “Scully, is everything okay in there?”

Her disembodied voice came from behind the door, “Mulder, the shower curtain wasn’t in all the way and the pyjamas I brought got soaked. Can you grab my duffel bag and hand it to me?”

He quickly grabbed what she asked and started bringing it to the door, which started opening before he was halfway across the room. He quickly snapped his eyes shut and took tentative steps towards where he thought the door was, holding the bag out in front of him in offering. “Here’s your bag, Scully.”

“Thank y- Mulder what are you doing?” He couldn’t see from behind his lids but he heard the smile on her face.

“I wanted to respect your privacy.” He said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. As he was stepping forward, his hand gripping the bag hit the wall and he turned to his right when he heard her laugh.

He felt her damp hand grab the bag from his own. Before shutting the door he heard a pleased “What a gentleman.”

Letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, he laid back down on the bed and smiled to himself. Weak as it may be, that may have just been the closest he would ever come to touching a half naked Scully and he was going to revel in it.

When she came out, Mulder was positive that she was trying to kill him. Drying her hair with a towel , inadvertently covering her face as she passed by him, he took in her outfit. Or lack thereof. She was wearing a purple tank top, with no bra, and a pair of, what he could best describe as, black booty shorts. He knew this must have been the best she could do since her pyjamas were soaked, but her outfit was torture. In an attempt to look unaffected, he turned off his side lamp and nestled in, closing his eyes to avoid a stroke. He felt her do the same on her respective side and they gave brief ‘goodnights’.

Mulder knew he would have problems falling asleep, he always did, but this was different. This was undiscovered Scully-territory. In the least creepy way possible, he wanted to take this opportunity to observe Scully with all her defenses down. For about thirty minutes, he heard her tossing and turning before her breathing inevitably evened out.

Knowing that she was asleep, he took the opportunity to look at her. When he did he felt his chest tighten. She was laying on her back with her face towards him, the comforter fallen down to her waist. Her full lips were slightly parted open and soft breaths were coming out. With each breath her tank top clad chest rose and fell. She had one hand draped across her exposed midriff and one resting parallel to his own. Her usually pristine hair was mussed all around her like a red halo. She looked so radiant, so ethereal, it made him want to cry.

He didn’t recall falling asleep, but he woke up to the feeling of the bed dipping under her weight. With how dark it was in the room, he knew it was still in the middle of the night. In a sleep laden voice he murmured, “Scully, is everything alright.”

He didn’t get a response, but from her sloppy steps, he could tell she was still lightly in sleep’s grasp. She trudged to the bathroom, blindly grabbing around to close the door. Mulder was trying to fall back asleep when he heard the door open and her starting to meander her way back. He was immediately wide awake when he felt her body fall painfully onto his.

Apparently it woke her up too, because she gasped and sat up straight from her haphazard perch on his chest, “Hello?”

Evidently, she forgot they were sharing a bed and plopped down without a second thought. “Scully, as much as I’ve always wanted you on top of me, I just got elbowed in the chest.” His sentence came out as a wheeze and he tried to recover from the shock.

He saw her look around and connect the dots in her head. Even though the room was reliant on moonlight, he could see that she was blushing. “Oh my god, Mulder, I’m so sorry.” She moved her palms to her side of the bed so she had leverage to move, her legs tantalizingly dragging over his body as she returned to her cocoon. All previous pain was subsided by another sensation.

“I’ve had worse experiences,” he teased. They laid in silence for only a little while longer until they both succumbed to sleep.

He wasn’t sure if he had actually woken up or if his dreams were just more vivid than usual. He bit the inside of his cheek and realized that, much to his pleasure, he was truly awake. Sometime during the night, Scully had snuggled into his arms.

Blinking his eyes to adjust to the morning light, he looked down and was met with  Scully’s sleeping face burrowing into his neck. Looking down, all he could really see were her eyelashes kissing her cheeks, fluttering in the grips of REM. Her defined nose was tickling his collarbones, and her hair was caressing his face and the arm she was using as a pillow. His other arm was currently laying on the curve of her waist, her tank top had ridden up so his forearm was pressed against her smooth skin.

He rested his head back down, not wanting to wake her, and inhaled the aroma of Scully that was currently embracing him. She was also, in the literal sense, embracing him. She had one arm sandwiched in between his own and his body, while her other was pressed in between their torsos, her palm resting gently on his chest.

He froze slightly when she started to stir, making adorable sleepy sounds, but was relieved when she went limp again, nuzzling impossibly closer to him. Their knees were touching now and it was the most intimate thing Mulder could ever remember experiencing before.

If it were up to him, they would never leave this bed. This, in the purest sense, was completely and utterly luxurious. He would do anything in his power to keep Dana Katherine Scully in his arms, and the smile on her face when she woke up told him that the sentiment was mutual.

[phantasmkiss]

Private Lakehouse

Build-N-Share Challenge #111

Move out of your house and into this tidy little boat on its own private lake. The yacht is a complete home with 3 bedrooms (including a master with private bathroom), an office, entertainment room, and a swim deck. The nearby boathouse/cabin has one bedroom, one bath, and space for a garden.

Built in Windenburg on the Dresden House lot (sorry, Fyres Family!), this residence is more lake than house. There’s a one-bedroom cabin with a plot next to it for gardening, but the focus is really the yacht, Posiedon. 

This is no landlocked ship, but a boat small enough to move around the water, with its own dock near home.

There’s no real reason to stay in the house, though. The yacht has room for a small family inside, with a dining set for five and a small galley kitchen. These are visible to your left when you enter.

A chef can move easily between the fridge, sink, and stove here, and once they’re cooking, the dishwasher is close enough to the door to be easily reached by Sims who’ve finished eating, and  Sims too impatient to wait for a cooked meal can still reach the refrigerator, all without disturbing someone at the stove.

To the right of the entry is an entertainment space. The bar is nearest the dining area, but also conveniently close to a full-sized couch and ottoman. Sims can bring over a book, watch television, play video games, or dance. Alexa Echo A Lin-Z smart speaker will play music, tell jokes, or adjust your lights.

The boat’s cockpit is modern, comfortable with bench seating, and has a traditional steering wheel for your captain.

Belowdeck are private rooms and, of course, the engine room. 

The office is a bit old-fashioned, with paper records instead of a computer, but Sims all carry smartphones now, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

The crew’s quarters sleep two, and have a cat statue for good luck.

The guest bedroom has plenty of storage.

The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, as well as a door to a private sitting area on the rear deck. The deck is covered, so that rain or shine your Sims can enjoy the outdoors.

The boat has three decks; a sitting area with attached swim deck on the water line, a deck on the main level, and an open deck near the roof with seating for two.

The cabin is a simple one-bedroom overlooking the water. Beside it is the mailbox and a small garden area.

The inside is unfurnished. You enter into a living area with space for a galley kitchen at the rear. There is one rather spacious bedroom, with a view over the water. It has a door directly into the bathroom, which also has a door to the living area.

Top-Down Lot Views 1-4: Roof, Main Floors (boat and cabin), Ground Floor (cabin) and Private Quarters (boat), and Lake.

Top-Down Boat View: Roof.

Main Floor. Areas, clockwise from top left: Bathroom; Galley Kitchen; Bar; Entertainment; Stairs; Helm; Entrance; Dining/Seating with Bookcase.

Private Quarters. Rooms, clockwise from top left: Master Deck; Master Bedroom; Master Bathroom; Office; Engine Room; Stairs/Hallway; Crew’s Quarters; Bathroom; Guest Bedroom; Swim Deck.

Top-Down Cabin View; Roof.

Main Floor. Areas, clockwise from top right: Garden (visible from floor below); Porch and Entrance (at left side of porch); Bedroom; Bathroom; Galley Kitchen; Living Room.

Ground  Floor: Garden space, Mailbox, Stairs. Dock is directly right of the staircase.

Technical Stuff:

This lot has been playtested.  Sims recognize the yacht’s main door as the front door, and can reach all areas. From the spawn point, they use the dock rather than swimming across, though guests do enjoy hopping off the dock to swim once they’re invited in.

Each of the three yacht bathrooms contains a toilet with paper roll, sink with hand towel and mirror, and shower with bath mat and towel. The cabin bathroom is empty, but is tiled and has a window.

Though the boat is relatively small, it was built on a 64 x 64 lot in order to have a lake that looks large enough for the boat to move in. Though the boat would really only be able to go in a circle, there is enough land behind the lot I chose that, in headcannon at least, the lake could be extended.

During play, the lake looks large enough. Without a budget, the cabin could easily be furnished or even expanded, and used as a main home with the yacht for recreation and parties.

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Private Lakehouse in the Sims 4 Gallery

(Origin ID: PhantasmKiss)

[myhouseidea]

Waverly Residence is a project designed by MU Architecture and is located just south of Jean-Talon Street in Alexandra-Marconi district is the result of the idea of creating a very modern living place for wealthy clients in this up and coming neighborhood. Alexandra-Marconi is a landlocked district between the Canadian Pacific Railway in the west, The Little Italy to the east, south of Beaubien Street and Jean-Talon Street to the north; A mysterious district that has in recent years, experienced a notorious gentrification.

The project started with a duplex, almost all of the existing structure was entirely rebuilt. A dozen feet on two floors were added to the rear of the old building. Moreover, excavating the basement, the residence finally went from 1500 to 3000sq.ft. On the same lot, facing south-west, a large courtyard was added to enjoy the sun.

Once the threshold is crossed, the lobby extends across the entire width of the building. Ahead, a wall filled with full height doors. These give access to a deep enough storage for strollers or sports equipment to the left and to the right to a locker room. On both ends, a corridor leaves a choice to go left or right to access the rest of the residence. These arrangements are part of a large volume comprising also, the stairs and the kitchen towards the back of the residence. In fact, the stairs act as a cut through this volume all the way to the roof. A large skylight, same width as the stairwell allows light to flood the center of the house. Two large cubes dictate the configuration of the space. True to their philosophy,

MU Architecture wanted to design an architecture that confronts, destabilizes and fascinates. The wooden steps, inserted between the two parallel walls without silt, seem to levitate. The shadow line formed by light above accentuates this effect. A large window closes the large opening to the kitchen, allowing it to also benefit from the presence of skylights. This same transparent wall creates a surprising illusion that the landing of the staircase is the extension of the kitchen counter. In the living room, the monumental fireplace covered with raw steel panels divides the space into two areas. Large sliding windows fill the back wall with an opening to the terrace in the courtyard. All the rooms on the ground floor are generously filled with unobtrusive natural light that accentuates the theatrical effect of the place.

The upper floor is divided in order to accommodate three bedrooms. Two of them located above the entrance, to the street side, and another, intended for masters, located at the back overlooking the terrace. A full bathroom also benefits from light provided by another skylight. The laundry room is also found on the floor next to the rooms. There is enough space on the landing to consider installing an office and or a library. The basement houses the mechanical equipment and the seasonal storage but also a large games room hidden at the end in the newly excavated part of the residence.

The Waverly residence is consistent in its realization with the requirements of a family living in urban areas. The characteristics of its facades show the architectural characteristics of its half residential, half industrial location. The Marquise consists of a single steel panel folded upward to cover the main entry steps below. The black steel frames of the windows of the facade accentuate the cuts openings. The rigorous alignments of the black steel frames around the windows reveal the rigorous design of the facade. Even if the volumes are clearly defined, the surfaces are elegantly positioned without being chaotic. The brick chosen for the facades, inspired by those that have been traditionally used for industrial buildings sector shows subtle brightness variations that animate the surfaces that would otherwise be too uniform and blend. The use of gray painted steel panels softens and balances the aggressiveness of the voluntarily contrasting black and pink bricks.

This residence foreshadows future achievements envisaged in this area, in connection with the impending developments of the former train yard and new construction in progress on Jean-Talon Street.

Photo credit: Julien Perron-Gagné

Waverly Residence by MU Architecture Waverly Residence is a project designed by MU Architecture and is located just south of Jean-Talon Street in Alexandra-Marconi district is the result of the idea of creating a very modern living place for wealthy clients in this up and coming neighborhood.

[oliveratlanta]

Three-level Virginia-Highland loft with Beltline as backyard discounted to $699K

The middle of three levels, the main living space, at 675 Greenwood Avenue NE, No. 105. | Dorsey Alston Realtors; photography by Doug Sindelar

This open-concept condo from the 1920s also counts skyline views, but buyers have balked thus far

This Virginia-Highland building offers what might be the closest Beltline proximity in all of Atlanta. It’d be tough to live much closer to the Eastside Trail, in fact, without getting sideswiped by e-scooters.

Given the trail’s status as a sort of landlocked beachfront property, cool multifamily options that overlook it become available with surprising regularity. But they don’t always sell overnight.

Case in point is this three-level offering at Factory Lofts, a 1925 building converted to residences in the 1990s that offers a small community of condos and townhomes. From the patios of some units, you could high-five Eastside Trail joggers.

This loft is set back a bit from the trail, with its outdoor space on the roof, allowing for skyline views from downtown to Midtown, especially in winter.

Initially posted for $720,000 in early November, the property was discounted this week to $699,000, as listed with Dorsey Alston Realtors.

Is the chilly selling season the culprit? The general lack of doors in the lofty space? Or something else?

The industrial aesthetic, illuminated by large windows and a skylight, is apparent in the main living space on the second floor.

Spanning 1,813 square feet, the loft brings to market two bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, with updates that didn’t besmirch the historical charm, per the listing.

Like concrete floors and exposed ducts, high ceilings are in abundance. So many stairs could be a sticking point with the empty-nester demographic, but they do allow for good separation of space, though it’s hardly soundproof.

The monthly HOA is listed at $424, which could seem substantial for a property without a pool or much else in the way of communal space.

Bonus points, though, for a separate storage unit included with the home, the two gated parking spaces (a rarity for the building, per the listing), and the unsurprisingly stellar 91 WalkScore, denoting this location—appropriately—a “Walker’s Paradise.”

Dining options and a half-bath off the kitchen.

Floating stairs reveal an ancient wall and creative storage spaces below.

The bottom floor’s a showcase of steel, concrete, a huge built-in console, and deep space.

A full bathroom on the lowest level.

Stairs to the top floor reveal a brick-walled master bedroom suite.

Dual vanities in the master bathroom.

Rooftop views, off the third-floor master.

A drone’s view illustrating the building’s proximity to the Beltline’s (curiously unpopulated) Eastside Trail, PCM, and other attractions.

source https://atlanta.curbed.com/2019/12/18/21027923/atlanta-loft-for-sale-virginia-highland-loft-beltline

[orlissa]

Photoshoot

So I was at a photoshoot yesterday, and I told @agenthaywood I’d post about it, so here it goes.

It was organized by a Hungarian cosplay community, and ended up being pretty low-key--there were two phtographers, and although five people signed up, three called it off during the last, ah, 14 hours or so, so it was only me and another girl going as models.

We went to Szentendre, which is a small town about 20 mins from Budapest--old town, bunch of little, winding streets, cobblestones, old buildings, little shop, a real, charming little tourist trap (and there were a lot of tourists). I brought my steampunk dress and the other girl came as Miss Fortune from League of Legends (and we dressed in the bathroom of a local Chinese restaurant, because, yeah, it was lowkey).

The shoot itself was really fun (and the photographer guys were real gentlemen, carrying our bags between locations, asking us if we needed to rest and everything), but really tiring--at least for me, because heat + corset + heels + cobblestones don’t mix well.

Anyway, do you know what happens when you let two cosplayers loose in a tourist attraction? Bunch of people wanting photos happen. Like, one of the photographers told me that “I chose the wrong profession,” because if I told the tourists a pic costs an euro or something, I could strike gold there. Honestly, there was one time when I was being photographed in a narrow, hilly alley--I was facing the busier street and was standing above the photographer, so I saw what was going on behind him, and I kid you not, while he was taking pics of me, three Japanese/Chinese (I wasn’t close enough to see) tourists sneaked in photos of me behind his back. And as we were going down the main street, I was told at least by a dozen people, in several languages that I look pretty. 

And then there was this super cute incident--we were in a pretty deserted street, when we noticed a family not far from us. There was a little girl, maybe around five, with big, blue eyes, pointing at us, telling her mom that we were pirates, or something like that. When I noticed her, I waved at her, but she was so shy, she first hid behind her mom. Then her mom started prompting her to g over to us, told her that we were landlocked pirates and she should help us, show us where the river was, stuff like that. We also kept saying that it was okay to come to us, take a picture with us, etc., and when I saw that that girl was starting to loosen up, I crouched down to her level. Then she finally came over to me, and leaned into me/hugged me so fiercly, that I almost toppled over. I guess her mom took a photo of us, and then when I stoof up, the girl grabbed my hand, and basically from that moment, she refused to let go. Wer were heading to the same direction as this family, so I let her, and she was basically pulling me after her, making her mom joke that now it seems like they’re taking me home. And then when the girl was still not letting me go, her mom tried to reason with her, “let go of the lady, you know we can’t take her home...” After a couple of minutes, a hug or two, a kiss on the cheek later she finally let go of me, but then we reached the main square, where there were a lot of people wanting to take pics with/of us, and as I was posing with an older man, suddenly I notice that the girl’s on my other side again, reaching for my hand. I guess she ended up being on that picture as well :D

[dancingsarcastically]

That Summer

I remember one summer in particular

 The heat was thick and heavy and it left everyone in a haze

 We drove up to the lake to get away from the stickiness that plagued our landlocked home

 It was me and my mother and my sister and my brother and my father

 It was a summer filled with mosquito bites and white wine and boat rides and soft white blankets on linen couches

 There was laughter and sparklers and bonfires and fireworks

 Dripping rain drops off the tin roof and lazy cats on the porch

 It was idyllic and peaceful and quiet

 It was a summer of wearing tank tops to cover a stomach that just wasn’t flat enough

 A summer of watching my younger sister fall in love while I watched from the sidelines

 As she played the main character in the movie that was That Summer and I played Girl number 2

 A summer of broken egos and burnt skin that was peeling away to reveal the green of envy that strangled me like a snake

 A summer of boat rides at sunset and wondering if anyone would ever love me

 If I would end up alone-and is that something that I could be ok with?

 A summer of yelling at my mother for bestowing upon me the worst of the family genetics-the long crooked nose, the small chest, the round face

 Of cursing my body for existing in its natural state,

 of cursing the nose job that I had the summer before and the fact that it didn’t take away my insecurity

 but simply removed the target I had aimed it at for 18 years of my life

 18 years of hating myself simply because I was not what I thought I needed to be to be wanted

 18 years of shame and jealousy and sadness and hatred spilled all over the white leather interior of that boat

 It was a summer of slammed doors and quiet crying while my sister slept two feet from the bathroom in which my whole world was unraveling

 A summer of long showers filled with hopes of a different story, and then washing those dreams down the drain

 A summer of wishing on stars for someone to see me, only to be met with the humming of cicadas

 It was a summer of what ifs

 What if I were prettier

 What if I were louder

 What if I were different

 But then the summer ended and July faded into august faded into September

 And we left the lake house, and I left that summer behind

 Hidden between the pages of a book strewn across the attic with boxes of photos that captured memories that I didn’t want to remember

[topfygad]

All You Need to Know – Wild Junket Adventure Travel Blog

This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a commission when you purchase through my links, at NO extra cost for you.

Bulgaria is just a three-hour flight from most parts of Europe and it’s incredibly affordable. Yet it remains an under-visited destination in Eastern Europe. 

After my first Balkan trip almost 10 years ago, I was so pleasantly surprised to find such an interesting region that has seemingly slipped under the radar. The Balkan states, spanning across southeastern Europe, are easy on the pocket, and are chocked full of history and Soviet architecture. 

I finally returned to Bulgaria this summer, and rekindled my love for the underrated Balkan state. Bulgaria is a beautiful country packed to the brim with rich history and culture, and a tinge of Soviet edginess that you just can’t find in western Europe.

Cost of Travel in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an incredibly cheap destination and it’s much more affordable than other parts of Europe. You’ll get a bang for your buck, going on Bulgaria day tours for as cheap as $50 and staying at decent hotels for $50/night.

Food in Bulgaria is really affordable, fresh and delicious. A meal in a standard restaurant is usually around US$5-10 including drinks. A pint of beer costs around $1-2.

Expect to pay around $30-50 for a midrange hotel with air conditioning, private bathroom and WiFi. Hotels on the beach are definitely much more expensive, at $70-150 for a four-star hotel.

  How to Get to Bulgaria

By Plane

Sofia International Airport is the main gateway to Bulgaria. It’s a small airport but it’s served by most major cities in Europe.

You can get cheap flights to Sofia from London, Amsterdam and Paris for around $100 return (three-hour journey). Airlines that serve Sofia include British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Wizz Air and Ryanair.

Aeroflot and LOT Polish Airlines fly from New York to Sofia for around US$700-1000 return. You’ll most likely need to transit via Moscow or Warsaw.

Search for Cheap Flights to Bulgaria

By Train

As a landlocked country surrounded by five countries, Bulgaria is easy to get to overland. But most trains tend to be old and shabby, and journey times are usually slower than buses. 

From Serbia, the Balkan Express runs daily between Sofia and Belgrade (11 hours) from June to September. Trains depart from both cities in the mornings. Check out Serbian Railways’ website for details.

From Romania, you can catch a train from Bucharest (10-hour journey) to Ruse or Veliko Tarnovo. From Turkey, the daily Bosfor (Bosphorous Express) goes from Istanbul to Sofia and continues onto Bucharest. The journey takes 9 hours and there are sleeper cabins on the train. Check the Turkish State Railways website.

By Bus

It is even cheaper to travel to Bulgaria by the international buses from the surrounding countries and they’re relatively comfortable. On my first trip to Bulgaria, I took an overnight bus from Istanbul to Plovdiv and it was easy and smooth-sailing.

When traveling out of Bulgaria by bus, the cost of entry visas for the countries concerned are not included in the prices of the bus tickets. A good timetable for international connections can be found here. 

Plovdiv is the main gateway for those traveling overland from Greece, Turkey and Macedonia. Sofia is the nearest city for those traveling overland from Serbia and Romania. Here’s more info for each travel route:

International Bus Routes to Bulgaria

Country

Departure

Arrival

Duration

  Greece

Thessaloniki

Sofia

5-6 hours

  Greece

Thessaloniki

Plovdiv

8-9 hours

  Macedonia

Skopje

Sofia

6 hours

  Macedonia

Ohrid

Sofia

9 hours

  Romania

Bucharest

Sofia

9 hours

  Romania

Bucharest

Ruse

3 hours

  Serbia

Niš

Sofia

3 hours

  Serbia

Dimitrovgrad 

Sofia

1-2 hours

  Turkey

Istanbul

Sofia

10 hours

  Turkey

Istanbul

Plovdiv

7 hours

  When to Travel Bulgaria

The best time to travel Bulgaria is during the shoulder season, from April to June, and September to October. The weather will be more pleasant, and the prices are lower. I went to Bulgaria in April on my first trip and it was perfect.

It can get really hot in summer, from June to August, with temperatures rising to 40+ degrees Celsius. Summer is also the peak tourism season, when the beaches on the Black Sea are packed to the brim.

Winter is mostly low season across the country, and most of the smaller towns will shut down. But Bulgaria is one of the best budget ski destinations in Europe, with affordable and excellent ski conditions. Bansko is the most popular ski resort.

How Long to Travel Bulgaria?

This depends on your interest of course, but two weeks are enough to explore Bulgaria properly and get to know its culture and people.

I spent around a week in Bulgaria on my first trip and 10 days this time. I felt that I actually got to know it really well on my second trip and saw a lot more than on my first trip.

If you’re an intrepid traveler, I recommend the following itinerary as it’ll allow you to see the best of the country at a relaxing pace. You probably want to skip the beaches, but I suggest keeping Varna in your itinerary as it’s a cool coastal city.

Two-Week Bulgaria Itinerary:

Days 1-3: Sofia

Day 4: Day trip to Seven Rila Lakes & Monastery

Days 5-7: Veliko Tarnovo

Day 8: Day trip to Etara Ethnological Centre

Days 9-10: Varna

Day 11: Day trip to Nessebar

Days 12-13: Plovdiv

Day 14: Sofia

How to Get Around Bulgaria

By Car

It is relatively cheap and easy to drive in Bulgaria. The main highways are well built and signs are in both Bulgarian and English. You can rent a compact car in Sofia for US$78 per week or $130 for two weeks.

In order to drive on Bulgarian roads, you will need to display a vignette sold at petrol stations and post offices. Rental cars hired within Bulgaria should already have a vignette.

Bulgarian drivers can be aggressive and most don’t stick to the speed limit, so just be aware.

Search for Car Rental in Bulgaria!

By Bus

Bus is the fastest and most popular way to get around Bulgaria. There’s a great bus network across the country and distances aren’t that long. You can find many bus and train schedules here.

Here are the main bus companies in Bulgaria:

Biomet — Runs between Sofia and Veliko Târnovo, Varna and Burgas.

Etap-Grup — Another extensive intercity network, with buses between Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Ruse and Veliko Târnovo.

Union-Ivkoni — Links most major towns and many smaller ones, including Sofia, Burgas, Varna, and Plovdiv.

By Train

Traveling by train is the cheapest way to explore the country, even cheaper than taking the bus.

For example, a train ticket from Sofia to Plovdiv costs just US$5 for a two-hour train ride. Although the trains are sometimes old and slow, some of the rail journeys offer beautiful views.

All trains are run by the Bulgarian State Railroad Company. You can buy train tickets online.

Duration for Main Travel Routes in Bulgaria Departure Arrival By Bus By Car By Train Sofia Veliko Tarnovo 3.30-4 hours 3 hours – Veliko Tarnovo Varna 3-4 hours 2h45min – Varna Plovdiv 7 hours 4.5 hours 5-6 hours Plovdiv Sofia 2 hours 1.5 hours 2 hours

Where to Stay in Bulgaria

There is a wide variety of accommodation to choose from in most parts of Bulgaria and they’re much cheaper than in other parts of Europe.

Sofia: Rosslyn Thracia Hotel Sofia

As one of the best hotels in Sofia, this elegant hotel is located just a few minutes from Vitosha Street, a pedestrianized street right in the heart of the city. Room rates are reasonable, decor is modern and the breakfast spread is excellent! Check rates here.

Veliko Tarnovo: Park Hotel Sevastokrator

This hotel has exceptional views of Veliko Tarnovo from above as well as a nice swimming pool. It’s technically located in Arbanasi, a hilltop town just 10 minutes away from Veliko Tarnovo. Check rates here.

Varna: Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel Varna

This upscale modern hotel is located in the heart of Varna next to the Sea Garden, 500 m from the Varna Beach. You can’t get a better location that that. Prices are affordable for a 4-star quality hotel. Check rates here.

Plovdiv: The Stay Hotel Central Square Plovdiv

An incredibly stylish hotel located right in the heart of old town Plovdiv, the Stay Hotel offers excellent value for money. Rooms are spacious and have lots of facilities. Attractions are all within walking distance from here. Check rates here.

Food in Bulgaria

I’m a big fan of Bulgarian food, especially the barbecued meats that are ubiquitous here. 

Bulgarian cuisine shares characteristics with other Balkan cuisines — it’s like a blend of Greek and Turkish food. Meat is the main staple, along with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, dill and onions.

It’s actually quite easy to find vegetarian Bulgarian dishes on nearly every menu, though due to Bulgaria’s love affair with its cheese and dairy products, vegans won’t be so lucky.

There are some Bulgarian staples you need to try:

Shopska salad — A mix of tomatoes, cucumber, sirene cheese

Tarator — A cold yogurt soup made of cucumber and garlic

Kebapche — Known as Kebab in most places, grilled meat with spices

Meshana skara — Mixed grill that typically includes kebapche, kufte, and a skewer of pork meat similar to a souvlaki

Where to Eat in Bulgaria

There are lots of Bulgarian restaurants everywhere, as well as more international offerings in the big cities. I’ve found food to be really food wherever I went.

Here are some of the best places I ate at:

Hadjidraganov’s Cellars, Sofia — This traditional Bulgarian restaurant can be a little touristy, but it’s the best place to go for a feel of Bulgarian traditions. Portions are big, and food is served on wooden Medieval-style platters. Read reviews.

Restaurant Shtastliveca Old Town, Veliko Tarnovo — Rated as the best restaurant in Veliko Tarnovo, this place has excellent views of the old town and offers a well-rounded variety of traditional and modern cuisine. Be sure to make a booking in advance! Read reviews.

Park Hotel Sevastokrator, Arbanasi — The restaurant at this hotel in Arbanasi not only has great views, but also an affordable and good menu. They use fresh products and meat and I highly recommend the grilled trout.

Things to Do in Bulgaria

Explore Sofia’s Old Town

Bulgaria’s capital Sofia makes an excellent base to get an introduction to Bulgarian culture and history. The city has an eclectic mix of Roman buildings, Ottoman mosques and Soviet blocs. You’ll need at least three days to see them all.

Start with St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the second largest cathedral in the Balkan region. Then head on St George Rotunda, the oldest building in modern Sofia that dates back to the 300s. Don’t miss the Central Bath, one of the most photographed buildings in Bulgaria.

This bike tour is a great way to see all of Sofia’s sights on wheels.

Hike around the Seven Rila Lakes

Outdoor lovers would love the Seven Rila Lakes, a group of glacial lakes situated in the northwestern Rila Mountains close to Sofia. Hiking trails weave their way around the lakes that are perched 2,500 meters above sea level.

Each lake carries a name associated with its most characteristic feature. The highest one is called Salzata (“The Teardrop”) due to its clear waters that allow visibility in depth.

If you’re tight on time, you can book a day trip to the Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia.

Visit the Famous Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The iconic landmark is located close to the Seven Rila Lakes, at 117km (73 miles) from Sofia.

Founded in the 10th century, the monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 – 946 AD), and houses around 60 monks.

You can also combine a visit there with the Seven Rila Lakes. This day tour is affordable and comes with great reviews.

Wander around Veliko Tarnovo

Of all the places I’ve visited in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is probably my favorite. This small town was once the medieval capital of the Bulgarian empire, and now has a special charm thanks to its long history.

Veliko Tarnovov is a hodgepodge of impressive castles, museums and historical sites. Stroll along the cobblestoned Gurko Street and admire well-preserved old houses, and watch craftsmen hard at work in the Samodovska Chashia Market.

You can also visit Veliko Tarnovo on a day trip from Plovdiv. Get more info here.

Explore the Tsarevets Fortress

The iconic symbol of Veliko Tarnovo is the Tsarevets, an impressive fortress that dominates its skyline. With only pedestrian access, you can walk along the breathtaking fortress walls and take in views onto the surrounding hills of Sveta Gora.

Children are free to run, clamber and discover, the only place where caution is advised is at Execution Rock at the northern end of the fortress. As the name suggests a fall from here down to the Yantra River would be nothing less than fatal. 

Immerse in the Open Air Etara Ethnographic Museum

Located close to Veliko Tarnovo in the town of Gabrovo is this beautiful open air museum that transports you back in time. The ethnographic centre spans over 7 hectares of area, showcasing how life used to be during the Bulgarian National Revival.

The park has replicas of traditional houses during that period, as well as water installations and craftsmen workshops. There are also stores selling sweets and artwork from yesteryears.

Visit the new Neofit Rilski Historical Park

Just a few kilometers outside of Varna is the newly opened Neofit Rilski Historical Park. It’s yet to be fully completed, but already offers some exciting activities. I was rather impressed by the scale of the park.

For curious travelers, the historical park is a great place to learn about Bulgarian history, from the Neolithic period to the Thracian Civilization and Second Bulgarian Empire.

The park gives the sensation that you’re stepping back in time, into a medieval complex with archery demonstrations and horse-riding displays. There are numerous replicas of archaeological site and historical monuments as well as homes that people used to live in.

Relax on Varna’s Beaches

As a vibrant coastal city, Varna is the main gateway for tourists that are heading to the Black Sea coast. Intrepid travelers will probably choose to skip the beaches, but don’t miss out on the charm of Varna.

The city is packed with history yet it’s thoroughly modern, with a lush and green seafront park to amble on. Its beach is not too bad to while away a lazy afternoon and enjoy some fresh seafood.

In the city centre you’ll find Bulgaria’s largest Roman baths complex and its finest archaeological museum, as well as a lively cultural and restaurant scene.

Get Lost in the Charming Old Town of Nesebar

The ancient part of Nesebar is located on a peninsula that juts out from the Black Sea coast (previously an island).

Nesebar has on several occasions found itself on the frontier of a threatened empire, and as such it is a town with a rich history. Due to the city’s abundance of historic buildings, Nesebar became a UNESCO Site  in 1983.

Today it’s really popular with tourists especially in summer, so get there early if you want to get lost in its narrow cobblestoned streets.

Soak Up History in Plovdiv

As Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s heartthrob with a romantic old town. The city is packed with colorful and creaky 19th-century mansions that are now house-museums, galleries and guesthouses.

As the European Capital of Culture 2019, Plovdiv is quickly drawing more music and art lovers. Once an amiable waystation between Bulgaria and Greece or Turkey, the city has flowered into a destination in its own right – and one that should be on any itinerary through central Bulgaria.

For those short on time, this day tour leads you around Plovdiv, Asen Fortress and Bachkovo Fortress in 1 day.

Language in Bulgaria

Bulgarian is the country’s only official language. Bulgarian is written with Cyrillic, which makes trying to read Bulgarian words quite difficult for most of us.

English isn’t widely spoken in Bulgaria, especially among the older generation. But younger Bulgarians in the big cities tend to speak a bit of English.

Safety in Bulgaria

Most parts of Bulgaria are very safe and I never felt unsafe on both trips there. I traveled solo on my first trip and with my four-year-old daughter on this recent trip.   

The only danger that travelers face is theft, primarily from pickpockets. In general, try not to stand out and avoid dark alleys at night if traveling solo.

Practical Tips for Traveling Bulgaria

Within cities, minibuses called marshroutki act like shared taxis and are common in many ex-Soviet countries. You just need to flag them down and buy tickets from the driver.

One thing to note for those traveling with kids, it is allowed to smoke in most places in Bulgaria, even indoors. It can be annoying for non-smokers.

As an ex-Soviet country, Bulgaria still shares a relationship with Russia and many Bulgarians still speak Russian.

I think of Bulgarians as quite similar to Russians. They may not smile a lot and can come across as rude. But give them some time, show that you’re friendly and they’ll eventually warm up to you.

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These Are the Strangest Laws in All 50 US States

Laws are usually passed for a reason. Too many car accidents? You probably need some traffic laws. Is a particular animal species dying out? Make it illegal to kill them. But because it’s often easier to pass a law than it is to remove it, some obsolete laws simply stand as evidence that something bizarre and horrible must have happened once upon a time. After all, how else do you explain a rule against catching fish in your mouth? There has got to be an amazing backstory behind that. Here are the weirdest, most hilarious laws in all 50 U.S. states.

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The 50 Weirdest Laws

Alabama: Going to church? Take off that ridiculous fake mustache if you do — unless, of course, you don’t intend to cause laughter. In that case, it’s all good.

Alaska: In Fairbanks, Alaska, it’s illegal to serve alcohol to a moose. Which seems reasonable, but why did they have to make a law?

Arizona: Your donkey has to sleep somewhere, but it’s not allowed in the bathtub. This dates back to a tub-sleeping donkey who was washed away in a flood in 1924 (he survived, but they passed the law anyway).

Arkansas: You’ll need a permit to feed your garbage to any pigs you happen to meet out in the world. If they’re your own pigs, go for it.

California: If your frog dies during a frog-jumping competition, you’ll obviously be distraught. The good news is that it’s illegal for any of your rivals to eat your late amphibian.

Colorado: A porch might look inviting, but don’t put a couch out there. This law was put in place to prevent college students from lighting couch bonfires.

Connecticut: There’s not technically a law stating that pickles must be able to bounce in Connecticut, but a high-profile case of pickle fraud in 1948 revealed that the Food and Drug commissioner used the bounce test to test fake pickles.

Delaware: Cat shavers beware: You will not be able to sell your ill-gotten fur in the state of Delaware.

Florida: Most places, a “Beware of Dog” sign is just a fair warning and a crime deterrent. But in Florida, you can hang a “Bad Dog” sign in your yard and be absolved of any responsibility for canine attacks.

Georgia: Sort of like those Floridian dogs, Georgian llamas have carte blanche to wreak as much havoc as they care to. With very few exceptions, anyone who “engages in a llama activity” forfeits any liability on the part of the llama owner for injuries they might sustain as a result.

Hawaii: It might be a little unusual, but we’re going to come right out and say the Hawaiian laws against billboards are a pretty good idea. Nothing kills the tropical vibes like a gaudy advertisement.

Idaho: Again under the banner of laws we aren’t sure they needed to put into writing, Idaho wants you to know in no uncertain terms that cannibalism is against the law, except “under extreme life-threatening conditions as the only apparent means of survival.” Maybe it’s weirder that this is the only state that does outlaw it.

Illinois: Illinois is (mostly) landlocked, but it still has a problem with excessive fish and amphibian ownership. No one may own more than $600 worth of aquatic creatures — that’s about 75 salamanders, if you’re curious.

Indiana: In French Lick Springs, Indiana, a 1939 ordinance decreed that all black cats must wear bells on any Friday the 13th. It isn’t clear if the law is still on the books or not, but this might trump the time an Indiana man tried to legally redefine pi as 3.2.

Iowa: The pride of every Iowa State Fair is the one and only butter cow(and its attendant butter statues). So it’s not surprising that they take butter fraud very seriously. If you’re spreading margarine or oleo, you’d better not claim to have the real deal.

Kansas: Despite the fact that the law explicitly outlaws the throwing of snowballs, Topeka mayor Bill Bunten made international headlines in 2005 when he declared his intention to overthrow the ban in a hail of powdery projectiles.

Kentucky: Some places have a tradition of selling artificially dyed chicks and baby bunnies around Easter, but not Kentucky. At least, not if you’re selling less than six at a time.

Louisiana: When you’re down in the Big Easy, nothing hits the spot like a big bowl of jambalaya. Word to the wise, though: If prepared “in the traditional manner for public consumption,” the dish is not bound to follow certain sanitation codes.

Maine: If you’re playing beano in Maine (not that Beano; it’s a game not unlike bingo), you should feel free to take all of the bathroom breaks you need. The beano conductor will play your hand for you unless you’re playing high-stakes beano.

Maryland: Pottymouths should watch themselves the next time they’re on the Eastern seaboard. In Rockville, Maryland, they’ll face a $100 fine for cursing on a sidewalk or road.

Massachusetts: You know how everywhere “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played, a dance party breaks out? Not in Massachusetts, where it is strictly forbidden to dance to the national anthem.

Michigan: Some states put down strict laws about when and where you can sell alcoholic beverages and other controlled substances, but in Michigan, it’s cars that can’t be sold on Sundays.

Minnesota: It might sound like a lot of fun, but oiled-pig catching contests are absolutely not allowed in Minnesota. The same law outlaws turkey scrambles, when the unfortunate bird is thrown into the air and players rush to catch it.

Mississippi: Okay, this is a very bizarre law (and one made specifically to make a political point). In 2013, governor Phil Bryant signed into law a declaration that no one could ever restrict the size of a cup for sugary drinks.

Missouri: If a bull or ram of a certain age is able to roam free for three days or more, at least three townsfolk report it, and the owner does not claim it, then anyone can feel free to capture and castrate it without facing liability for damages.

Montana: Our favorite laws are the ones that offer a glimpse of what life was like in eras past. Apparently, in Montana’s past, train jackers stopping a locomotive with a herd of grazing animals was a major problem.

Nebraska: To be perfectly frank, this law seems illegal, immoral, and hard to enforce. But if you’re following the letter of the law, then anyone with a sexually transmitted disease is forbidden to get married.

Nevada: Back before we wrapped our minds around how dangerous radiation could be, every shoe store was outfitted with an X-ray-based fitting machine. But you won’t find any in Nevada — they’ve been outlawed since 1960.

New Hampshire: In New Hampshire, the seaweed that washes onshore can be collected and turned into fertilizer for a profit. But if you’re thinking of heading out to the beach in the early hours before the crowds, think again — you can’t collect seaweed at night.

New Jersey: Bulletproof vests are legal in New Jersey unless you’re wearing one while committing a crime. In other words, bank robbery is super illegal, but it’s even more illegal if you have body armor on.

New Mexico: Indecent exposure is illegal to some degree almost everywhere, but in New Mexico, the law specifically mentions every body part that counts as indecent — and if you want to walk around with your butt hanging out, then go right ahead.

New York: Despite facing many legal challenges since being written into law in 1845, New York’s regulations against wearing masks in public is still in place. You get special dispensation for costume parties.

North Carolina: Remember that episode of “The Simpsons” when Bart and Homer stole a bunch of grease from local kitchens? It might have been hilarious in cartoon form, but it was a serious problem in North Carolina until stricter penalties for grease theft were written into the books in 2012.

North Dakota: We couldn’t quite track down this law in the legislature, but it’s one of the most cited “weird laws” online: Allegedly, it’s illegal to lay down in public and fall asleep without taking your shoes off first.

Ohio: Despite what you might have read elsewhere, it is legal to get a fish drunk in Ohio. But don’t worry, these lawyers have plenty of other weird ordinances, like how you need a license to kill a fly within 160 feet of a church.

Oklahoma: Here’s a blast from the past. In Oklahoma, the Cold War is still being waged in a state statute that claims that “there exists an International Communist conspiracy which is committed to the overthrow of the government of the United States.”

Oregon: Apparently, at some point there was an issue with people heading into graveyards and cemeteries with a kind of deadly intent. In Oregon, it’s illegal to go hunting in a cemetery.

Pennsylvania: The world is full of laws that say you can’t buy, sell, or exchange a human being. But in Pennsylvania, they had to put the icing on the cake: You can’t barter with a baby. The “good” news? It’s only a misdemeanor.

Rhode Island: If you bite off the limb of a friend or family member, you could face between one and 20 years in jail — assuming you did so intentionally and with malice.

South Carolina: Pinball might not seem like the most serious offense the vice squad investigates, but you’ve got to be 18 or older to take a spin in the state of South Carolina.

South Dakota: The strangest law we could find in South Dakota was an ordinance allowing farmers to launch fireworks as pest control, but it was recently repealed. The strangest law we couldn’t find any confirmation for at all was the oddly specific forbiddance against threatening a pacifist to change their beliefs by challenging them to arm-wrestling.

Tennessee: You know how you and all your friends share one account for Netflix, HBO Go, and Hulu? Not if you live in Tennessee, you don’t.

Texas: Apparently, in order to run for political office without facing a religious test, a politician has to affirm their belief in a “Supreme Being.”Sounds just a smidge unconstitutional.

Utah: We’re not sure what was happening to bus drivers in Utah in 1999, but they apparently faced the not-insignificant threat of having things hurled at them at bus stops. Now, only security officers and officers of the peace are allowed to chuck stuff at buses.

Vermont: If you think you’re going to pass legislation outlawing the use of clotheslines in Vermont, then you’d better think twice. The solar powered dryers are here to stay.

Virginia: They say that Virginia is for lovers, but the law books don’t back that up. Fornication — that is, having sex outside of marriage — is illegal and punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.

Washington: In Skamania County, Washington, you could be in big trouble if you shoot a sasquatch. Not just because of the $1,000 fine levied by human officials, either — presumably, you’ll have to stand trial in sasquatch court as well.

West Virginia: West Virginia lawmakers have some very specific ideas about the right way to go hunting. For example, you’re not allowed to use drones or ferrets whether you’re hunting birds or anything else.

Wisconsin: Here’s a fun trick. Search for the phrase “highly pleasing” on the Wisconsin State Legislature website. You’ll find there are many types of Wisconsin cheeses that must meet that standard to bear the name — and this cheese-loving Wisconsinite agrees.

Wyoming: The next time you find yourself purchasing junk metals, rubber, rags, or paper in Wyoming, lean in to smell the peddler’s breath. You could be unknowingly committing the offense of buying junk from an intoxicated person.

  Written by Reuben Westmaas

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[angrybrowngirlabroad-blog]

Chipehua: the Third Beach of the Dead

As our crew headed through Oaxaca I was often given free reign to suggest stops along the trail. This meant I spent some time each night we spent at a hostel pouring over Google maps and seeing what each stop on the road ahead had to offer.  Usually I would look up something that seemed like a fascinating place to pass through, show the photos I found to Chris, Elena and Matteo, and they would agree or disagree that it looked like place we should pass through.  My scouting had found us San Jose del Pacifico, Puerto Escondido and the Cascadas Magicas, so everyone seemed pretty content with letting me set the course.  And that was how we found ourselves further off the beaten trail than usual, spending the night in a weird and wonderful place that I affectionately termed “the beach of the dead.”  Now, I had already encountered two playas de los muertos on my trip so far, the one in name only in Puerto Escondido, and the actual beach of the dead in Sayulita, where the local graveyard met the ocean.  While one was named from a (very untrue) local legend, and the other for it’s joining of the locals final resting spot and the sea, Chipehua featured a beach covered in death.   That being said, the drive there and our arrival portended nothing so ominous.  Instead of taking the inland route through Oaxaca and into Chiapas, I found a route that would take us along the coast of Oaxaca for as long as possible before pulling inland closer to the state border.  We were all eager to stay near the ocean, knowing that afterwards we would be landlocked for who knows how long.  I had been checking out pictures of the route on Google maps and found the pictures of the beach town of Chipehua beguiling.  There was only a handful of photos, and they showed rolling dunes, the last remains of a crumbling barbwire and wood fence, and an expanse of blue water.  The place seemed strange, desolate and mysterious, everything I love about new destinations, so we made our way there.  Our original plan was to stop for a few hours, splash about in the water, and then make our way inland.

Leaving in the morning, it did not take us much time to get there.  The winding road from Huatulco to Chipehua took us away from the ocean and back again, dodging inland and out, through terrain broken up by large, black rocks, sharply cut hills, and trees shedding the brown leaves of late autumn.  When we found the town it was a gravel road that turned of the main road.  The gravel road led past one small convenience store, that was actually the front of someone’s large house.  We stopped for beers and snacks and asked the way to the ocean, the owners pointed us down the road we were on, so we kept going.  As gravel gave way to sand we saw a blue bay stretched out before us and no one else there except the fishermen down by the water.  If this was a tourist destination, or had been, it wasn’t a very popular one.   Reaching the end of the road, which was on a berm a bit above the sand of the beach, we pulled our vehicles to a stop.  After we got out and old man approached us, his Spanish was too quick to understand, but Chris and Matteo spoke to him, after a brief conversation Chris told us that the man said there were cabanas nearby that we could rent for the night if we wanted to stay.  That had not been the plan, but I liked the look of the beach and the lack of other people.  After a few days in a city and other popular tourist spots this place felt right, so we went to talk to the woman in charge.

Driving our cars over to where the cabanas were we stopped in something resembling a parking lot, noting the structures on the hill ahead of us.  As we got out, I saw a street dog, well, beach dog would be more accurate, approach us.  I was used to curious street dogs begging for food, so I wasn’t startled.  As I was digging around in my car I heard something that did surprise me, the dog made of a sort of familiar whining sound, “Kind of like a coyote,” I thought.  I turned and the excited dog looking up at me with golden eyes was wagging its tail and making the keening, whimpering noise.  Looking it over I could see the coyote blood clearly in the colors of the coat.  The dogs markings were shaped like Husky markings around the face, but the black fur was mottled a color all too familiar (I own a coat made out of coyote fur).  When I reached out to pet her I found the texture oddly similar to my coat, too.  This beach dog was part coyote, but with all the affection of a house pet.

The dog, who I later named Dune, followed us up the hill for a bit as we walked towards the cabanas. The cabanas turned out to be a cabin divided into two large rooms, two full sized beds each, with a decent sized bathroom, hot shower, and front porch with hammocks.  The place was set up a bit on the hill and overlooked the blue bay.  The whole thing was picturesque, something out of postcard.  The price was right for what was being offered, even better than right, so we decided to stay the night.  Minds made up, we walked back down the cars to unpack, grab a few beers, and head down to the beach.

Fishermen stood on the shoreline, untangling nets and bringing in the days catch.  The sunlight beat down on us, turning the water a light turquoise color.  Sweating, we set our belongings down near a large piece of driftwood and stripped down to our swimwear.  Walking toward the water I noticed something odd about the waves, they were coming in at an angle.  At first I thought it was the occasional angles that happen when different waves collide, but after watching the waves for a bit I saw that every wave came in that way, on a diagonal that had something to do with the way the bay was positioned and the strong onshore winds.  I swam around the water for a bit, as the sky began to grey with misty clouds that started to roll in, but my eyes were on the dunes that stretched out away from the area where we entered the water.

Walking back to the sand I set out to explore the strange topography of the area.  The bay was ringed by a sand beach, but in one area there was a field of sand dunes, that abutted up against a mountain (maybe, it was too tall to be a hill, but not large enough to be a mountain).  As I walked towards the dunes I noticed that the mountain they pushed up against had something strange about it.  I got closer and realized that there was a large cross set at the base of the mountain, a big metal thing placed on a cement base with writing on it.  It was in Spanish, of course, and because my Spanish still sucked, of course, I couldn’t make out if it had been put there for a specific reason or just a general honoring god kind of thing.  Either way, it struck me as a bit creepy in the same way that the whole area struck me as a bit creepy, not threatening, or scary, just a little….off.

Deciding that I did not want to spend any more time contemplating religious works I continued onto the dunes.  Here, past the mountain, the wind was stronger and it threatened to rip my hat from my head on several occasions.  It was now clear how the dunes had come to be in this area, the strong winds that contributed to the angular waves seemed to have pushed a lot of the sand off of the beach and into the nearby flat land next to the mountain.  As I walked across the dunes I saw the leftover bits of what had once been a fence, the same one I had seen in the photos when I looked up the location the night before.  What the fence was trying to keep in or out was difficult to say, it seemed to appear out of the ground in no special place, run a few hundred feet, then end just as abruptly, a hundred yards from the shore, in the area where beach gave way to dunes.  I chalked it up to just another oddity about the place and continued on.

I encountered my first piece of remains soon afterwards.  As I was walking up a hill I noticed some bleached bone sticking out of the sand.  Being something of a bone aficionado (that sounds like a double entendre, and I’m going to go ahead and say it is) I stooped down to pick it up.  It was a dog’s skull, burned bright white by the hot Mexican sun.  I turned it over in my hands, it was about four inches long, not a very large dog, probably related to one of the half-domesticated beach dogs we saw running around.  It was interesting to find it this far from the shore, but perhaps the wind had carried it, or maybe some carrion bird, either way, it was mine now.

As I continued down the beach I came across more and more bone bits in the sand, a piece here, a piece there.  The closer I drew to the water’s edge, the more frequent they became.  Sea snakes, dried out like thin, leathery shoelaces, the skeletons of fish, a bird’s skull,  the shells of crabs, a set of jawbones next to what looked like a pile of spikes (after a couple more similar decaying corpses I realized that these were puffer fish remains, their jaws are bone, but their spikes are cartilage, and thus the last parts to decay after the flesh and skin have gone).  I had begun picking up bones as I walked, but soon my hands were overflowing as I came across more and more dead.  There were so many carcasses and bone bits I could not have kept track if I tried.  Then I started coming upon sea turtle remains, first the cartilage of a beak, then a bleached out piece of a shell, then a whole shell, lying on the beach, the flesh inside long since eaten away.  Then I came across the dolphin.

CAUTION: From here on it the descriptions get a bit gross since this part of the adventure involves decaying bodies on a beach

At some point during this time, Elena had come to join me, and we wandered the beach together, poking and prodding the various dead things or trying to figure out what the skeletal remains we were looking at were from.  Further and further west we headed, filling our hands with bones, and then trading them out as we encountered a new dead thing every few feet.  I surmised that it must be the angle of the waves that caused it.  If the waves faced the shore dead on, they would push the remains up on the sand, then, as the tide rose, pull them back into the water.  Here, the combination of the angled waves and the wind seem to mean that once something came to rest on the shores of Chipehua, it stayed.  Elena and I were discussing this when I saw the dark forms gathering in the distance.

“I think those are vultures,” I said, straining my eyes, “There are quite a few, it has to be something big.”  I was immensely curious, especially after what we had come across so far.  We drew closer and I saw that I was correct in my guess, they were vultures, and they moved away reluctantly as we approached.  Holding my breath so I would not have to smell the odors of flesh left rotting in the sun, I approached the two forms on the ground.  One was a dolphin, about six feet long, lying half buried in the sand.  It had bloated, and the sun had turned the skin a leathery black/brown color.  The agents of decay had not had much time to work on it, as there was no bone visible yet, just the sad, limp form.  I turned to the other body.  It was a sea turtle.

This one struck me, even more than the dolphin.  Maybe it was the way it was lying, on the curve of its shell, it’s “back,” which left it propped at a weird angle, flippers askew. Maybe it was the way that the skull was already partially defleshed, empty eye sockets and white bone clearly visible between strips of leathery skin.  Maybe it was the fact that it was one of the largest sea turtles I had ever seen, it’s shell easily three feet long.  Or maybe it was just because I love sea turtles and always have, and had seen more sea turtles in the last month than I had in the last twenty years of my life.  Either way, I was struck by this scene of elegant decay, and one thought came to my mind, I wanted to take some of it with me.

Elena stood back, so as not to be sickened by the smell, as I poked at the carcass with a piece of bamboo.  The contents of the shell had liquified at this point, I felt them slosh as I pushed against the side of corpse.  Idly I tried to see if I could flip it over, but it seemed impossible without actually grabbing it with my hands.  As cool as I am with death and decay, the thought of touching sun cooked turtle with my bare hands was not an appealing one. Instead of touching it, I walked around it, continuing to prod it and considering my options.  The shell was huge, no way I could take that, plus trafficking turtle shell was very illegal, I was pretty sure, even if I had just found it.  Plus we were leaving in the morning, I didn’t have enough time to clean it, and a giant shell stinking up the back of my car on the eight hour drive to Chiapas was unimaginable.  No, I knew what I needed to do.

“I’m coming back for the head tomorrow.” I told Elena, “In the morning, before we leave.” This didn’t seem to faze her at all, but then again, she had watch me poke and prod every dead thing we came across on the way to the turtle.  Not ten feet away sat the pile of bones I had collected, momentarily forgotten while I examined the vulture’s lunch.  I looked back at the turtle, “I’m think I’ll bring my sword, it doesn’t have an especially sharp edge, but with enough force is should sever the bones and the skin of the neck.” I had my scimitar in my car, usually used for balancing while belly dancing.  It’s true, it’s edge was blunted, but because of the weight of the blade, it still cut through things like oranges, or pumpkins, or whatever my roommate would lob at me when we’d play games in the backyard, like a hot knife through butter.  Mind made up, I gathered up my bones, hoping that some fluke didn’t wash away the turtle overnight.

We walked the long length of the beach back to the driftwood to collect our belongings.  When we drew closer to the twisted tree remains I saw a figure sitting near the tree.  It was Dune, wagging her tail eagerly and making her strange whining noises as we approached.  I could just be ascribing traits to an animal because I was already fond of her, but it certainly seemed like she was guarding our possessions.  I petted her, thanking her for her loyalty, and she followed us back to the cabanas where we showed the rest of the travel party our quarry.  I had to narrow down my collection, but I ended up bringing with me the dog skull, a bird skull, two sets of puffer fish jaws (one set was very large, four inches across), a bleached piece of a turtle shell, turtle beak cartilage, and the jawbone of a turtle.  While our friends looked over my quarry I told them about the larger bodies we had come across (we saw another dolphin on our walk back to the cabanas) and my plan to take the turtle’s head.  The men only seemed slightly skeptical of my proclamation, but I’m used to people having that reaction to me, so it did not bother me at all.

After showers and changing we decided to go in search of dinner.  This proved difficult, however, as there was not much to be found in the way of restaurants.  Chris mentioned something about a restaurant by the water, but I told him he had to be mistaken, there had not been a restaurant on the beach, we would have seen it.  When driving around did not reveal any other options we decided to park back near the cabanas and walk down to the beach to see what we could find.  It felt weird to me, to be stomping down the beach in the dark to look for a restaurant that seemed to be hearsay at best.  Still, everything about this place had been unusual so far, so why not this, too? We approached what looked like someone’s large, cement house, with a large, palapa covered patio outside.  Inside someone was watching tv, Chris called out, saying that we had been told that there was a restaurant down here where we might be able to find dinner.  A woman came outside, looking surprised, but she immediately got down to business.  “Si!” she said, this was the restaurant, there was a table right there, why don’t we have a seat.  She called out to her son who came outside to take our drink order, we asked for three beers and the woman sent him off with a bucket to run to the nearest store and bring us back beer.  While he was running his errand she informed us that she had some very fresh fish, caught just that day, and would be happy to make us a dinner of fish, rice, beans, and tortillas, served family style.  Everyone was on board so she went to get started, and her son showed up with our drinks.

Sipping the light beer that I’d learn to love during my time in Mexico I contemplated the situation.  The fish we were going to eat had been caught maybe a hundred yards from where we were sitting.  I doubted I had ever eaten anything fresher in my life.  The boys (who spoke Spanish fluently) talked to the woman about the local gossip, and what brought us here, and her son showed us his favorite song he was listening to on her phone.  We traded jokes and I even made a few attempts to engage in the conversation, even though my Spanish was halting.  It felt so casual and home-like, hanging out with the family who made our food.  And, oh the food!  I developed a taste for whole fried fish while travelling southern Mexico, but this one was arguably the best I had.  It was perfectly cooked, and accompanied by rice, beans, and homemade tortillas and salsa.  It was incredibly fresh, amazingly flavored, and filling.  We had one more round of beers with dinner and when we were done I was so content I was ready to fall asleep in my seat.

Everyone seemed to be in the same state so we paid gratuitous compliments to the chef and left a hefty tip before starting on the trail back to the cabanas.  As we walked we marvelled at the stars, so clear above the ocean, far enough away from any city that light pollution was non-existent.  We also marvelled at our luck, that our little foray off the beaten path had turned up strange beach full of curious souvenirs, a beautiful place to stay, and a wonderful meal.  The boys filled us in on what they had been doing while we were bone collecting.  Apparently they had encountered the owner of the cabana while they had sat on the porch smoking and the three of them had proceeded to have a conversation about the town life.  As Chris described it I felt a little sad that we only had one night in to spend in Chipehua.  I could have spent a week here happily, but the fact that we had even been able to stop at all would have to satisfy.  But I knew where it was now, a blip on a map on the southern coast of Oaxaca, and I could pass this way again.

[crownmoldingpro]

boomerang farmhouse update

A belated update on our Calistoga ‘boomerang’ (-shaped) farmhouse remodel. During the recent devastating wildfires in this and other areas, our clients were evacuated. With luck, the property was spared as the fire was contained to the west of town.  Our hearts go out to others whose lives were forever changed. 

The entrance above with sidelights is reflected in a door on the back of the house, creating a see-through effect. This is the transitional ‘knuckle’ of the house, and is clad in wood vs painted board & batten or siding. 

These photos are from earlier this year, and much progress has been made since. 

While the exterior was painted, the interior was insulated. Spray-foam insulation solidified the vaulted ceiling spaces, batt insulation in walls elsewhere. 

Fast forward to the walls and ceiling being enclosed! 🙂 The cabinets are seen being installed in this photo; kitchen on the left and bar on the right. The ceiling is painted v-groove 1x6s. The rafters are 4x6s; they are non-structural and were installed below the v-groove boards, which run continuously above the rafters. 

Other views in the main great room as walls and ceiling were being painted, and a ‘landlocked’ bathroom with new skylight above the shower. 

We will be sure to keep things updated a little more regularly – stay tuned!

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Nice build by source: To The Studs

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All You Need to Know – Wild Junket Adventure Travel Blog

This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a commission when you purchase through my links, at NO extra cost for you.

Bulgaria is just a three-hour flight from most parts of Europe and it’s incredibly affordable. Yet it remains an under-visited destination in Eastern Europe. 

After my first Balkan trip almost 10 years ago, I was so pleasantly surprised to find such an interesting region that has seemingly slipped under the radar. The Balkan states, spanning across southeastern Europe, are easy on the pocket, and are chocked full of history and Soviet architecture. 

I finally returned to Bulgaria this summer, and rekindled my love for the underrated Balkan state. Bulgaria is a beautiful country packed to the brim with rich history and culture, and a tinge of Soviet edginess that you just can’t find in western Europe.

Cost of Travel in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an incredibly cheap destination and it’s much more affordable than other parts of Europe. You’ll get a bang for your buck, going on Bulgaria day tours for as cheap as $50 and staying at decent hotels for $50/night.

Food in Bulgaria is really affordable, fresh and delicious. A meal in a standard restaurant is usually around US$5-10 including drinks. A pint of beer costs around $1-2.

Expect to pay around $30-50 for a midrange hotel with air conditioning, private bathroom and WiFi. Hotels on the beach are definitely much more expensive, at $70-150 for a four-star hotel.

  How to Get to Bulgaria

By Plane

Sofia International Airport is the main gateway to Bulgaria. It’s a small airport but it’s served by most major cities in Europe.

You can get cheap flights to Sofia from London, Amsterdam and Paris for around $100 return (three-hour journey). Airlines that serve Sofia include British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Wizz Air and Ryanair.

Aeroflot and LOT Polish Airlines fly from New York to Sofia for around US$700-1000 return. You’ll most likely need to transit via Moscow or Warsaw.

Search for Cheap Flights to Bulgaria

By Train

As a landlocked country surrounded by five countries, Bulgaria is easy to get to overland. But most trains tend to be old and shabby, and journey times are usually slower than buses. 

From Serbia, the Balkan Express runs daily between Sofia and Belgrade (11 hours) from June to September. Trains depart from both cities in the mornings. Check out Serbian Railways’ website for details.

From Romania, you can catch a train from Bucharest (10-hour journey) to Ruse or Veliko Tarnovo. From Turkey, the daily Bosfor (Bosphorous Express) goes from Istanbul to Sofia and continues onto Bucharest. The journey takes 9 hours and there are sleeper cabins on the train. Check the Turkish State Railways website.

By Bus

It is even cheaper to travel to Bulgaria by the international buses from the surrounding countries and they’re relatively comfortable. On my first trip to Bulgaria, I took an overnight bus from Istanbul to Plovdiv and it was easy and smooth-sailing.

When traveling out of Bulgaria by bus, the cost of entry visas for the countries concerned are not included in the prices of the bus tickets. A good timetable for international connections can be found here. 

Plovdiv is the main gateway for those traveling overland from Greece, Turkey and Macedonia. Sofia is the nearest city for those traveling overland from Serbia and Romania. Here’s more info for each travel route:

International Bus Routes to Bulgaria

Country

Departure

Arrival

Duration

  Greece

Thessaloniki

Sofia

5-6 hours

  Greece

Thessaloniki

Plovdiv

8-9 hours

  Macedonia

Skopje

Sofia

6 hours

  Macedonia

Ohrid

Sofia

9 hours

  Romania

Bucharest

Sofia

9 hours

  Romania

Bucharest

Ruse

3 hours

  Serbia

Niš

Sofia

3 hours

  Serbia

Dimitrovgrad 

Sofia

1-2 hours

  Turkey

Istanbul

Sofia

10 hours

  Turkey

Istanbul

Plovdiv

7 hours

  When to Travel Bulgaria

The best time to travel Bulgaria is during the shoulder season, from April to June, and September to October. The weather will be more pleasant, and the prices are lower. I went to Bulgaria in April on my first trip and it was perfect.

It can get really hot in summer, from June to August, with temperatures rising to 40+ degrees Celsius. Summer is also the peak tourism season, when the beaches on the Black Sea are packed to the brim.

Winter is mostly low season across the country, and most of the smaller towns will shut down. But Bulgaria is one of the best budget ski destinations in Europe, with affordable and excellent ski conditions. Bansko is the most popular ski resort.

How Long to Travel Bulgaria?

This depends on your interest of course, but two weeks are enough to explore Bulgaria properly and get to know its culture and people.

I spent around a week in Bulgaria on my first trip and 10 days this time. I felt that I actually got to know it really well on my second trip and saw a lot more than on my first trip.

If you’re an intrepid traveler, I recommend the following itinerary as it’ll allow you to see the best of the country at a relaxing pace. You probably want to skip the beaches, but I suggest keeping Varna in your itinerary as it’s a cool coastal city.

Two-Week Bulgaria Itinerary:

Days 1-3: Sofia

Day 4: Day trip to Seven Rila Lakes & Monastery

Days 5-7: Veliko Tarnovo

Day 8: Day trip to Etara Ethnological Centre

Days 9-10: Varna

Day 11: Day trip to Nessebar

Days 12-13: Plovdiv

Day 14: Sofia

How to Get Around Bulgaria

By Car

It is relatively cheap and easy to drive in Bulgaria. The main highways are well built and signs are in both Bulgarian and English. You can rent a compact car in Sofia for US$78 per week or $130 for two weeks.

In order to drive on Bulgarian roads, you will need to display a vignette sold at petrol stations and post offices. Rental cars hired within Bulgaria should already have a vignette.

Bulgarian drivers can be aggressive and most don’t stick to the speed limit, so just be aware.

Search for Car Rental in Bulgaria!

By Bus

Bus is the fastest and most popular way to get around Bulgaria. There’s a great bus network across the country and distances aren’t that long. You can find many bus and train schedules here.

Here are the main bus companies in Bulgaria:

Biomet — Runs between Sofia and Veliko Târnovo, Varna and Burgas.

Etap-Grup — Another extensive intercity network, with buses between Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Ruse and Veliko Târnovo.

Union-Ivkoni — Links most major towns and many smaller ones, including Sofia, Burgas, Varna, and Plovdiv.

By Train

Traveling by train is the cheapest way to explore the country, even cheaper than taking the bus.

For example, a train ticket from Sofia to Plovdiv costs just US$5 for a two-hour train ride. Although the trains are sometimes old and slow, some of the rail journeys offer beautiful views.

All trains are run by the Bulgarian State Railroad Company. You can buy train tickets online.

Duration for Main Travel Routes in Bulgaria Departure Arrival By Bus By Car By Train Sofia Veliko Tarnovo 3.30-4 hours 3 hours – Veliko Tarnovo Varna 3-4 hours 2h45min – Varna Plovdiv 7 hours 4.5 hours 5-6 hours Plovdiv Sofia 2 hours 1.5 hours 2 hours

Where to Stay in Bulgaria

There is a wide variety of accommodation to choose from in most parts of Bulgaria and they’re much cheaper than in other parts of Europe.

Sofia: Rosslyn Thracia Hotel Sofia

As one of the best hotels in Sofia, this elegant hotel is located just a few minutes from Vitosha Street, a pedestrianized street right in the heart of the city. Room rates are reasonable, decor is modern and the breakfast spread is excellent! Check rates here.

Veliko Tarnovo: Park Hotel Sevastokrator

This hotel has exceptional views of Veliko Tarnovo from above as well as a nice swimming pool. It’s technically located in Arbanasi, a hilltop town just 10 minutes away from Veliko Tarnovo. Check rates here.

Varna: Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel Varna

This upscale modern hotel is located in the heart of Varna next to the Sea Garden, 500 m from the Varna Beach. You can’t get a better location that that. Prices are affordable for a 4-star quality hotel. Check rates here.

Plovdiv: The Stay Hotel Central Square Plovdiv

An incredibly stylish hotel located right in the heart of old town Plovdiv, the Stay Hotel offers excellent value for money. Rooms are spacious and have lots of facilities. Attractions are all within walking distance from here. Check rates here.

Food in Bulgaria

I’m a big fan of Bulgarian food, especially the barbecued meats that are ubiquitous here. 

Bulgarian cuisine shares characteristics with other Balkan cuisines — it’s like a blend of Greek and Turkish food. Meat is the main staple, along with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, dill and onions.

It’s actually quite easy to find vegetarian Bulgarian dishes on nearly every menu, though due to Bulgaria’s love affair with its cheese and dairy products, vegans won’t be so lucky.

There are some Bulgarian staples you need to try:

Shopska salad — A mix of tomatoes, cucumber, sirene cheese

Tarator — A cold yogurt soup made of cucumber and garlic

Kebapche — Known as Kebab in most places, grilled meat with spices

Meshana skara — Mixed grill that typically includes kebapche, kufte, and a skewer of pork meat similar to a souvlaki

Where to Eat in Bulgaria

There are lots of Bulgarian restaurants everywhere, as well as more international offerings in the big cities. I’ve found food to be really food wherever I went.

Here are some of the best places I ate at:

Hadjidraganov’s Cellars, Sofia — This traditional Bulgarian restaurant can be a little touristy, but it’s the best place to go for a feel of Bulgarian traditions. Portions are big, and food is served on wooden Medieval-style platters. Read reviews.

Restaurant Shtastliveca Old Town, Veliko Tarnovo — Rated as the best restaurant in Veliko Tarnovo, this place has excellent views of the old town and offers a well-rounded variety of traditional and modern cuisine. Be sure to make a booking in advance! Read reviews.

Park Hotel Sevastokrator, Arbanasi — The restaurant at this hotel in Arbanasi not only has great views, but also an affordable and good menu. They use fresh products and meat and I highly recommend the grilled trout.

Things to Do in Bulgaria

Explore Sofia’s Old Town

Bulgaria’s capital Sofia makes an excellent base to get an introduction to Bulgarian culture and history. The city has an eclectic mix of Roman buildings, Ottoman mosques and Soviet blocs. You’ll need at least three days to see them all.

Start with St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the second largest cathedral in the Balkan region. Then head on St George Rotunda, the oldest building in modern Sofia that dates back to the 300s. Don’t miss the Central Bath, one of the most photographed buildings in Bulgaria.

This bike tour is a great way to see all of Sofia’s sights on wheels.

Hike around the Seven Rila Lakes

Outdoor lovers would love the Seven Rila Lakes, a group of glacial lakes situated in the northwestern Rila Mountains close to Sofia. Hiking trails weave their way around the lakes that are perched 2,500 meters above sea level.

Each lake carries a name associated with its most characteristic feature. The highest one is called Salzata (“The Teardrop”) due to its clear waters that allow visibility in depth.

If you’re tight on time, you can book a day trip to the Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia.

Visit the Famous Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The iconic landmark is located close to the Seven Rila Lakes, at 117km (73 miles) from Sofia.

Founded in the 10th century, the monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 – 946 AD), and houses around 60 monks.

You can also combine a visit there with the Seven Rila Lakes. This day tour is affordable and comes with great reviews.

Wander around Veliko Tarnovo

Of all the places I’ve visited in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is probably my favorite. This small town was once the medieval capital of the Bulgarian empire, and now has a special charm thanks to its long history.

Veliko Tarnovov is a hodgepodge of impressive castles, museums and historical sites. Stroll along the cobblestoned Gurko Street and admire well-preserved old houses, and watch craftsmen hard at work in the Samodovska Chashia Market.

You can also visit Veliko Tarnovo on a day trip from Plovdiv. Get more info here.

Explore the Tsarevets Fortress

The iconic symbol of Veliko Tarnovo is the Tsarevets, an impressive fortress that dominates its skyline. With only pedestrian access, you can walk along the breathtaking fortress walls and take in views onto the surrounding hills of Sveta Gora.

Children are free to run, clamber and discover, the only place where caution is advised is at Execution Rock at the northern end of the fortress. As the name suggests a fall from here down to the Yantra River would be nothing less than fatal. 

Immerse in the Open Air Etara Ethnographic Museum

Located close to Veliko Tarnovo in the town of Gabrovo is this beautiful open air museum that transports you back in time. The ethnographic centre spans over 7 hectares of area, showcasing how life used to be during the Bulgarian National Revival.

The park has replicas of traditional houses during that period, as well as water installations and craftsmen workshops. There are also stores selling sweets and artwork from yesteryears.

Visit the new Neofit Rilski Historical Park

Just a few kilometers outside of Varna is the newly opened Neofit Rilski Historical Park. It’s yet to be fully completed, but already offers some exciting activities. I was rather impressed by the scale of the park.

For curious travelers, the historical park is a great place to learn about Bulgarian history, from the Neolithic period to the Thracian Civilization and Second Bulgarian Empire.

The park gives the sensation that you’re stepping back in time, into a medieval complex with archery demonstrations and horse-riding displays. There are numerous replicas of archaeological site and historical monuments as well as homes that people used to live in.

Relax on Varna’s Beaches

As a vibrant coastal city, Varna is the main gateway for tourists that are heading to the Black Sea coast. Intrepid travelers will probably choose to skip the beaches, but don’t miss out on the charm of Varna.

The city is packed with history yet it’s thoroughly modern, with a lush and green seafront park to amble on. Its beach is not too bad to while away a lazy afternoon and enjoy some fresh seafood.

In the city centre you’ll find Bulgaria’s largest Roman baths complex and its finest archaeological museum, as well as a lively cultural and restaurant scene.

Get Lost in the Charming Old Town of Nesebar

The ancient part of Nesebar is located on a peninsula that juts out from the Black Sea coast (previously an island).

Nesebar has on several occasions found itself on the frontier of a threatened empire, and as such it is a town with a rich history. Due to the city’s abundance of historic buildings, Nesebar became a UNESCO Site  in 1983.

Today it’s really popular with tourists especially in summer, so get there early if you want to get lost in its narrow cobblestoned streets.

Soak Up History in Plovdiv

As Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s heartthrob with a romantic old town. The city is packed with colorful and creaky 19th-century mansions that are now house-museums, galleries and guesthouses.

As the European Capital of Culture 2019, Plovdiv is quickly drawing more music and art lovers. Once an amiable waystation between Bulgaria and Greece or Turkey, the city has flowered into a destination in its own right – and one that should be on any itinerary through central Bulgaria.

For those short on time, this day tour leads you around Plovdiv, Asen Fortress and Bachkovo Fortress in 1 day.

Language in Bulgaria

Bulgarian is the country’s only official language. Bulgarian is written with Cyrillic, which makes trying to read Bulgarian words quite difficult for most of us.

English isn’t widely spoken in Bulgaria, especially among the older generation. But younger Bulgarians in the big cities tend to speak a bit of English.

Safety in Bulgaria

Most parts of Bulgaria are very safe and I never felt unsafe on both trips there. I traveled solo on my first trip and with my four-year-old daughter on this recent trip.   

The only danger that travelers face is theft, primarily from pickpockets. In general, try not to stand out and avoid dark alleys at night if traveling solo.

Practical Tips for Traveling Bulgaria

Within cities, minibuses called marshroutki act like shared taxis and are common in many ex-Soviet countries. You just need to flag them down and buy tickets from the driver.

One thing to note for those traveling with kids, it is allowed to smoke in most places in Bulgaria, even indoors. It can be annoying for non-smokers.

As an ex-Soviet country, Bulgaria still shares a relationship with Russia and many Bulgarians still speak Russian.

I think of Bulgarians as quite similar to Russians. They may not smile a lot and can come across as rude. But give them some time, show that you’re friendly and they’ll eventually warm up to you.

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source http://cheaprtravels.com/all-you-need-to-know-wild-junket-adventure-travel-blog/

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All You Need to Know – Wild Junket Adventure Travel Blog

This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a commission when you purchase through my links, at NO extra cost for you.

Bulgaria is just a three-hour flight from most parts of Europe and it’s incredibly affordable. Yet it remains an under-visited destination in Eastern Europe. 

After my first Balkan trip almost 10 years ago, I was so pleasantly surprised to find such an interesting region that has seemingly slipped under the radar. The Balkan states, spanning across southeastern Europe, are easy on the pocket, and are chocked full of history and Soviet architecture. 

I finally returned to Bulgaria this summer, and rekindled my love for the underrated Balkan state. Bulgaria is a beautiful country packed to the brim with rich history and culture, and a tinge of Soviet edginess that you just can’t find in western Europe.

Cost of Travel in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an incredibly cheap destination and it’s much more affordable than other parts of Europe. You’ll get a bang for your buck, going on Bulgaria day tours for as cheap as $50 and staying at decent hotels for $50/night.

Food in Bulgaria is really affordable, fresh and delicious. A meal in a standard restaurant is usually around US$5-10 including drinks. A pint of beer costs around $1-2.

Expect to pay around $30-50 for a midrange hotel with air conditioning, private bathroom and WiFi. Hotels on the beach are definitely much more expensive, at $70-150 for a four-star hotel.

  How to Get to Bulgaria

By Plane

Sofia International Airport is the main gateway to Bulgaria. It’s a small airport but it’s served by most major cities in Europe.

You can get cheap flights to Sofia from London, Amsterdam and Paris for around $100 return (three-hour journey). Airlines that serve Sofia include British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Wizz Air and Ryanair.

Aeroflot and LOT Polish Airlines fly from New York to Sofia for around US$700-1000 return. You’ll most likely need to transit via Moscow or Warsaw.

Search for Cheap Flights to Bulgaria

By Train

As a landlocked country surrounded by five countries, Bulgaria is easy to get to overland. But most trains tend to be old and shabby, and journey times are usually slower than buses. 

From Serbia, the Balkan Express runs daily between Sofia and Belgrade (11 hours) from June to September. Trains depart from both cities in the mornings. Check out Serbian Railways’ website for details.

From Romania, you can catch a train from Bucharest (10-hour journey) to Ruse or Veliko Tarnovo. From Turkey, the daily Bosfor (Bosphorous Express) goes from Istanbul to Sofia and continues onto Bucharest. The journey takes 9 hours and there are sleeper cabins on the train. Check the Turkish State Railways website.

By Bus

It is even cheaper to travel to Bulgaria by the international buses from the surrounding countries and they’re relatively comfortable. On my first trip to Bulgaria, I took an overnight bus from Istanbul to Plovdiv and it was easy and smooth-sailing.

When traveling out of Bulgaria by bus, the cost of entry visas for the countries concerned are not included in the prices of the bus tickets. A good timetable for international connections can be found here. 

Plovdiv is the main gateway for those traveling overland from Greece, Turkey and Macedonia. Sofia is the nearest city for those traveling overland from Serbia and Romania. Here’s more info for each travel route:

International Bus Routes to Bulgaria

Country

Departure

Arrival

Duration

  Greece

Thessaloniki

Sofia

5-6 hours

  Greece

Thessaloniki

Plovdiv

8-9 hours

  Macedonia

Skopje

Sofia

6 hours

  Macedonia

Ohrid

Sofia

9 hours

  Romania

Bucharest

Sofia

9 hours

  Romania

Bucharest

Ruse

3 hours

  Serbia

Niš

Sofia

3 hours

  Serbia

Dimitrovgrad 

Sofia

1-2 hours

  Turkey

Istanbul

Sofia

10 hours

  Turkey

Istanbul

Plovdiv

7 hours

  When to Travel Bulgaria

The best time to travel Bulgaria is during the shoulder season, from April to June, and September to October. The weather will be more pleasant, and the prices are lower. I went to Bulgaria in April on my first trip and it was perfect.

It can get really hot in summer, from June to August, with temperatures rising to 40+ degrees Celsius. Summer is also the peak tourism season, when the beaches on the Black Sea are packed to the brim.

Winter is mostly low season across the country, and most of the smaller towns will shut down. But Bulgaria is one of the best budget ski destinations in Europe, with affordable and excellent ski conditions. Bansko is the most popular ski resort.

How Long to Travel Bulgaria?

This depends on your interest of course, but two weeks are enough to explore Bulgaria properly and get to know its culture and people.

I spent around a week in Bulgaria on my first trip and 10 days this time. I felt that I actually got to know it really well on my second trip and saw a lot more than on my first trip.

If you’re an intrepid traveler, I recommend the following itinerary as it’ll allow you to see the best of the country at a relaxing pace. You probably want to skip the beaches, but I suggest keeping Varna in your itinerary as it’s a cool coastal city.

Two-Week Bulgaria Itinerary:

Days 1-3: Sofia

Day 4: Day trip to Seven Rila Lakes & Monastery

Days 5-7: Veliko Tarnovo

Day 8: Day trip to Etara Ethnological Centre

Days 9-10: Varna

Day 11: Day trip to Nessebar

Days 12-13: Plovdiv

Day 14: Sofia

How to Get Around Bulgaria

By Car

It is relatively cheap and easy to drive in Bulgaria. The main highways are well built and signs are in both Bulgarian and English. You can rent a compact car in Sofia for US$78 per week or $130 for two weeks.

In order to drive on Bulgarian roads, you will need to display a vignette sold at petrol stations and post offices. Rental cars hired within Bulgaria should already have a vignette.

Bulgarian drivers can be aggressive and most don’t stick to the speed limit, so just be aware.

Search for Car Rental in Bulgaria!

By Bus

Bus is the fastest and most popular way to get around Bulgaria. There’s a great bus network across the country and distances aren’t that long. You can find many bus and train schedules here.

Here are the main bus companies in Bulgaria:

Biomet — Runs between Sofia and Veliko Târnovo, Varna and Burgas.

Etap-Grup — Another extensive intercity network, with buses between Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Ruse and Veliko Târnovo.

Union-Ivkoni — Links most major towns and many smaller ones, including Sofia, Burgas, Varna, and Plovdiv.

By Train

Traveling by train is the cheapest way to explore the country, even cheaper than taking the bus.

For example, a train ticket from Sofia to Plovdiv costs just US$5 for a two-hour train ride. Although the trains are sometimes old and slow, some of the rail journeys offer beautiful views.

All trains are run by the Bulgarian State Railroad Company. You can buy train tickets online.

Duration for Main Travel Routes in Bulgaria Departure Arrival By Bus By Car By Train Sofia Veliko Tarnovo 3.30-4 hours 3 hours – Veliko Tarnovo Varna 3-4 hours 2h45min – Varna Plovdiv 7 hours 4.5 hours 5-6 hours Plovdiv Sofia 2 hours 1.5 hours 2 hours

Where to Stay in Bulgaria

There is a wide variety of accommodation to choose from in most parts of Bulgaria and they’re much cheaper than in other parts of Europe.

Sofia: Rosslyn Thracia Hotel Sofia

As one of the best hotels in Sofia, this elegant hotel is located just a few minutes from Vitosha Street, a pedestrianized street right in the heart of the city. Room rates are reasonable, decor is modern and the breakfast spread is excellent! Check rates here.

Veliko Tarnovo: Park Hotel Sevastokrator

This hotel has exceptional views of Veliko Tarnovo from above as well as a nice swimming pool. It’s technically located in Arbanasi, a hilltop town just 10 minutes away from Veliko Tarnovo. Check rates here.

Varna: Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel Varna

This upscale modern hotel is located in the heart of Varna next to the Sea Garden, 500 m from the Varna Beach. You can’t get a better location that that. Prices are affordable for a 4-star quality hotel. Check rates here.

Plovdiv: The Stay Hotel Central Square Plovdiv

An incredibly stylish hotel located right in the heart of old town Plovdiv, the Stay Hotel offers excellent value for money. Rooms are spacious and have lots of facilities. Attractions are all within walking distance from here. Check rates here.

Food in Bulgaria

I’m a big fan of Bulgarian food, especially the barbecued meats that are ubiquitous here. 

Bulgarian cuisine shares characteristics with other Balkan cuisines — it’s like a blend of Greek and Turkish food. Meat is the main staple, along with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, dill and onions.

It’s actually quite easy to find vegetarian Bulgarian dishes on nearly every menu, though due to Bulgaria’s love affair with its cheese and dairy products, vegans won’t be so lucky.

There are some Bulgarian staples you need to try:

Shopska salad — A mix of tomatoes, cucumber, sirene cheese

Tarator — A cold yogurt soup made of cucumber and garlic

Kebapche — Known as Kebab in most places, grilled meat with spices

Meshana skara — Mixed grill that typically includes kebapche, kufte, and a skewer of pork meat similar to a souvlaki

Where to Eat in Bulgaria

There are lots of Bulgarian restaurants everywhere, as well as more international offerings in the big cities. I’ve found food to be really food wherever I went.

Here are some of the best places I ate at:

Hadjidraganov’s Cellars, Sofia — This traditional Bulgarian restaurant can be a little touristy, but it’s the best place to go for a feel of Bulgarian traditions. Portions are big, and food is served on wooden Medieval-style platters. Read reviews.

Restaurant Shtastliveca Old Town, Veliko Tarnovo — Rated as the best restaurant in Veliko Tarnovo, this place has excellent views of the old town and offers a well-rounded variety of traditional and modern cuisine. Be sure to make a booking in advance! Read reviews.

Park Hotel Sevastokrator, Arbanasi — The restaurant at this hotel in Arbanasi not only has great views, but also an affordable and good menu. They use fresh products and meat and I highly recommend the grilled trout.

Things to Do in Bulgaria

Explore Sofia’s Old Town

Bulgaria’s capital Sofia makes an excellent base to get an introduction to Bulgarian culture and history. The city has an eclectic mix of Roman buildings, Ottoman mosques and Soviet blocs. You’ll need at least three days to see them all.

Start with St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the second largest cathedral in the Balkan region. Then head on St George Rotunda, the oldest building in modern Sofia that dates back to the 300s. Don’t miss the Central Bath, one of the most photographed buildings in Bulgaria.

This bike tour is a great way to see all of Sofia’s sights on wheels.

Hike around the Seven Rila Lakes

Outdoor lovers would love the Seven Rila Lakes, a group of glacial lakes situated in the northwestern Rila Mountains close to Sofia. Hiking trails weave their way around the lakes that are perched 2,500 meters above sea level.

Each lake carries a name associated with its most characteristic feature. The highest one is called Salzata (“The Teardrop”) due to its clear waters that allow visibility in depth.

If you’re tight on time, you can book a day trip to the Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia.

Visit the Famous Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The iconic landmark is located close to the Seven Rila Lakes, at 117km (73 miles) from Sofia.

Founded in the 10th century, the monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 – 946 AD), and houses around 60 monks.

You can also combine a visit there with the Seven Rila Lakes. This day tour is affordable and comes with great reviews.

Wander around Veliko Tarnovo

Of all the places I’ve visited in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is probably my favorite. This small town was once the medieval capital of the Bulgarian empire, and now has a special charm thanks to its long history.

Veliko Tarnovov is a hodgepodge of impressive castles, museums and historical sites. Stroll along the cobblestoned Gurko Street and admire well-preserved old houses, and watch craftsmen hard at work in the Samodovska Chashia Market.

You can also visit Veliko Tarnovo on a day trip from Plovdiv. Get more info here.

Explore the Tsarevets Fortress

The iconic symbol of Veliko Tarnovo is the Tsarevets, an impressive fortress that dominates its skyline. With only pedestrian access, you can walk along the breathtaking fortress walls and take in views onto the surrounding hills of Sveta Gora.

Children are free to run, clamber and discover, the only place where caution is advised is at Execution Rock at the northern end of the fortress. As the name suggests a fall from here down to the Yantra River would be nothing less than fatal. 

Immerse in the Open Air Etara Ethnographic Museum

Located close to Veliko Tarnovo in the town of Gabrovo is this beautiful open air museum that transports you back in time. The ethnographic centre spans over 7 hectares of area, showcasing how life used to be during the Bulgarian National Revival.

The park has replicas of traditional houses during that period, as well as water installations and craftsmen workshops. There are also stores selling sweets and artwork from yesteryears.

Visit the new Neofit Rilski Historical Park

Just a few kilometers outside of Varna is the newly opened Neofit Rilski Historical Park. It’s yet to be fully completed, but already offers some exciting activities. I was rather impressed by the scale of the park.

For curious travelers, the historical park is a great place to learn about Bulgarian history, from the Neolithic period to the Thracian Civilization and Second Bulgarian Empire.

The park gives the sensation that you’re stepping back in time, into a medieval complex with archery demonstrations and horse-riding displays. There are numerous replicas of archaeological site and historical monuments as well as homes that people used to live in.

Relax on Varna’s Beaches

As a vibrant coastal city, Varna is the main gateway for tourists that are heading to the Black Sea coast. Intrepid travelers will probably choose to skip the beaches, but don’t miss out on the charm of Varna.

The city is packed with history yet it’s thoroughly modern, with a lush and green seafront park to amble on. Its beach is not too bad to while away a lazy afternoon and enjoy some fresh seafood.

In the city centre you’ll find Bulgaria’s largest Roman baths complex and its finest archaeological museum, as well as a lively cultural and restaurant scene.

Get Lost in the Charming Old Town of Nesebar

The ancient part of Nesebar is located on a peninsula that juts out from the Black Sea coast (previously an island).

Nesebar has on several occasions found itself on the frontier of a threatened empire, and as such it is a town with a rich history. Due to the city’s abundance of historic buildings, Nesebar became a UNESCO Site  in 1983.

Today it’s really popular with tourists especially in summer, so get there early if you want to get lost in its narrow cobblestoned streets.

Soak Up History in Plovdiv

As Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s heartthrob with a romantic old town. The city is packed with colorful and creaky 19th-century mansions that are now house-museums, galleries and guesthouses.

As the European Capital of Culture 2019, Plovdiv is quickly drawing more music and art lovers. Once an amiable waystation between Bulgaria and Greece or Turkey, the city has flowered into a destination in its own right – and one that should be on any itinerary through central Bulgaria.

For those short on time, this day tour leads you around Plovdiv, Asen Fortress and Bachkovo Fortress in 1 day.

Language in Bulgaria

Bulgarian is the country’s only official language. Bulgarian is written with Cyrillic, which makes trying to read Bulgarian words quite difficult for most of us.

English isn’t widely spoken in Bulgaria, especially among the older generation. But younger Bulgarians in the big cities tend to speak a bit of English.

Safety in Bulgaria

Most parts of Bulgaria are very safe and I never felt unsafe on both trips there. I traveled solo on my first trip and with my four-year-old daughter on this recent trip.   

The only danger that travelers face is theft, primarily from pickpockets. In general, try not to stand out and avoid dark alleys at night if traveling solo.

Practical Tips for Traveling Bulgaria

Within cities, minibuses called marshroutki act like shared taxis and are common in many ex-Soviet countries. You just need to flag them down and buy tickets from the driver.

One thing to note for those traveling with kids, it is allowed to smoke in most places in Bulgaria, even indoors. It can be annoying for non-smokers.

As an ex-Soviet country, Bulgaria still shares a relationship with Russia and many Bulgarians still speak Russian.

I think of Bulgarians as quite similar to Russians. They may not smile a lot and can come across as rude. But give them some time, show that you’re friendly and they’ll eventually warm up to you.

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