Sometimes it happens that way...
The new year starts differently than usual, with something good and memorable. I think this is happening to divert our attention and vigilance from what's to come. Unfortunately, there are no signs that it will continue to be good for some of us. A great many of us, I fear!
Last year was the year when the climate was angry and gave us more and more signs that the future would not be the same as it was before. This year I see more and more people, everywhere, more and more angry and eager for change. Change there will be, but I'm afraid we won't like it.
The beginning of the year has been very pleasant for me and maybe because those pleasant moments passed so quickly, I came to such pessimistic conclusions.
I feel that those who have read this far have already become impatient and are wondering... What could have been so good with me at the beginning of the year?
Well, at the beginning of the year, I turned a round age and because it only happens once in a lifetime (as indeed does every birthday of ours, of all of us), I've made it my mission to remember it in all my posts this month.
Yes, I turned 70... which is both good and bad. Good, because I managed to reach that age, and bad... because I reached it! In the sense that it can't last much longer... or, however long it lasts, it's still too short! Haha...
What's unique about this anniversary of mine is that I celebrated it in a very pleasant way. I received a gift of four days of vacation at the seaside. Winter!?! Yes, winter, and it was more than okay.
Again, there are two reasons for saying this: Winter didn't look like winter, it was more like spring, and the hotel we stayed at had "Spa" written at the end of the name, which is great in winter. I mean pool, saunas, jacuzzi. It was exactly what I needed, total relaxation and... a few walks.
The people who gave me this mini holiday, some good friends, knew very well about my passion for the sea and for a certain town in Bulgaria, on the Black Sea, which fascinates me and where I go every year to the sea ( only in summer). Balchik!
So I resumed my walks in Balchik and today I will tell you about one such walk...
Walk through Balchik in the off-season!
Balchik is a small town on the Black Sea in Bulgaria.
It is a place that fascinates and attracts me not only for its beauty but especially for its history.
I am Romanian and I live in Romania. Romania borders Bulgaria. That is why the history of these two countries has some common points; one is the city of Balchik.
Balchik (in Bulgarian Балчик, in Turkish Balçık, in French Baltchik, in English Balchik) is a town on the Black Sea coast, in the Dobrici region, South Dobrogea, in northeastern Bulgaria, 42 km from Varna. It is currently one of Bulgaria's Black Sea tourist attractions. From 1913 to 1940 it belonged to the Kingdom of Romania, together with the rest of Southern Dobrogea, following the Second Balkan War (June-August 1913). In 1940, Cadrilat, including Balchik, was regained by Bulgaria. Source
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Old stories, old wars, territories occupied and then returned. Facts that once happened. These events have influenced the existence of those places and, in particular, the city of Balchik. This is because Queen Mary of Romania chose Balchik as her summer residence. She bought a large area of land on which Balchik Castle was built and beautiful gardens were laid out. The town's development was strongly influenced by the presence of the royal estate there.
Now the castle and gardens are the main tourist attractions in Balchik.
This complex consisting of a castle and gardens, plus a large greenhouse full of cacti is open all year round and tourists come every day to visit. The castle is the same in winter and summer, of course, but the gardens are not as spectacular in winter. The colors of the flowers are gone and most of the trees are leafless, but there are also many evergreen trees.
Balchik Castle and the gardens beyond the fence.
I have visited the place many times, so this time I didn't go in. I was pleased to view the royal estate from the outside, from the long promenade that borders the sea at Balchik.
Even though it was early January it was a sunny day. Only the thick coats of the walkers suggested it was cold and seasonal outside.
Part of the gardens facing the sea. The white building is the greenhouse with cacti. It houses the largest collection of cacti in south-eastern Europe.
Abandoned parasols are another common sight in winter in seaside resorts.
The villa of Prince Nicholas, son of Queen Mary, and one of the waterfalls in these gardens. The large green-leaved tree in the middle is a magnolia grandiflora.
The Korona terrace so crowded in summer is now deserted and sleepy. In a few months, it will recover.
The beach in front of the castle. Sad as any winter beach.
Promenade
I think I said the weather was particularly beautiful and very far from what it should have been in the middle of winter. Global warming is showing its power and has changed the face of the seasons. Taking advantage of such beautiful weather, many of the winter tourists, whom I am seeing for the first time, chose walking and sports.
A bit of sunbathing in winter, isn't it?
Beach on the bench...
The usual beach spot has put up its umbrellas and is waiting for summer to come.
The Black Sea
We came for the sea. Paradoxically, we go to the sea... for the sea and then realize that we give the least time to the sea. When we remember that we will be leaving soon, we suddenly miss the sea and try to take it with us in our photos, to the surprise of a local cat, eager to see more people there.
All this time of our walk the sea was going about its business. It was the same as summer but much colder.
There is a saying: Summer is not like winter! And the reverse is true... Winter is not like summer! No matter how warm, no matter how clear and sunny it is, winter is not like summer...
But it looks like autumn!
