Journey Across Southern Bulgaria

So I just got back from a vacation with some other volunteers traveling from the Macedonian border in the southwest to the Black Sea Coast city of Burgas. We visited other volunteers along the way and stayed with them in their villages, towns or cities.

First was Matt in Kolarovo southwest of Petrich and very close to the Macedonian Border. We did some day hikes around the area; in the Belasitsa mountains and in the much drier valley area east of Petrich which in appearance reminded me of NorCal.

Heading east from Petrich

a town over the border in Macedonia

Matt's entrance way, with kiwi trees

Next was a stop in Sofia in route to Acenovgrad where Tyler lives at the edge of the Rhodope Mountains. We hiked up into the Rhodopes to Acen's Fortress, whom the city is named after. The boys also played some basketball with local kids at the school. I even played a few games, and for the record I didn't cause us to lose.

Acen's Fortress (ruins)

the only standing part of the fortress, seen from the road

schooling in basketball

Next was Burgas, the other large city on the Black Sea Coast and the biggest competitor to Varna in Bulgaria which I had to see for myself. Chris is another volunteer who lives there and he believes Burgas is better. I beg to differ but we are both partial, and he hasn't actually been to Varna yet so I find that opinion null and void.

Burgas pier that brave people jump off of

Now I am home and getting ready for a beach clean up at my municipality's beach, Kamchia. It will be this Friday with the kids from the municipal schools, and some volunteers are coming to help out as well.