To be clear from the beginning, this is a travel blog. Even if the title can be confusing. I can say that it's a two-money philosophy about existence, about my life. I also need a justification for the pessimistic nature of my character. This is still a travel blog because my most recent trip made me think that way.
What does this title mean? In two months I will be 67 years old and realistically I estimate that I can still live in good conditions for another 10 years but, of course, I can disappear at any time, even without the help of covid-19!
Anyone who knows me or has read my biography knows that I am a pessimist who likes optimism. This appreciation of my life expectancy is part of both pessimism and optimism.
Now let me tell you why I'm sorry. There are hundreds of reasons for each of us to regret parting with this world.
I remember a cartoon from over forty years ago when a wife cried at her husband's grave and regretted that he had died before he saw the subway!
Well, I have two big reasons to regret leaving this world. If I leave sooner than five years then my granddaughter, who is now ten months old, will not remember me. The second reason is that I will not live the moment when the climate in my country, from the place where I live now, will change from continental to Mediterranean temperate! Because this will happen in the next few years.
I had this regret during the last trip, a few days ago, to Bulgaria, to the Black Sea!
There are several countries that are open to the Black Sea ... my country, Romania and Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria. In my opinion, Bulgaria has the most beautiful coastline!
On this trip to Balchik, we saw signs of a slow transition to the sub-Mediterranean climate. Trees such as figs or pomegranates survive the winters here and the vegetation is lush.
Balchik is only 300 km from Bucharest, the city where I live. The climate has warmed up a lot in recent years and that's why I think that soon the same sub-Mediterranean climate will be in my city. Of course, I have to take into account the fact that the sea influences the climate and for this reason it will never be in Bucharest as it is in ... Balchik!
So I am sorry that I will die and I will not see the Mediterranean climate in Bucharest but I am very happy with the time I have to see in Bulgaria, in Balchik (300 km) or in Greece, in the island of Thassos (600 km).
My inclination towards pessimism has as concrete causes as possible. When the time approaches for something pleasant and long awaited, then things happen that are against normal development. It seems that someone is constantly opposing my joys. To make these unfortunate events happen again every year I became pessimistic when I expected something good for myself. Of course I blame fate, but most of the time it's my stupidity. I'm to blame, although it's hard for me to admit.
Every year I look forward to seeing the sea ... up close! September is more awaited because it means a holiday in Greece. This year the covid-19 pandemic makes it impossible to meet the Aegean Sea and the island of Thassos. I'm not to blame for that. Everyone was affected by this situation.
To see the sea I then chose to go to Bulgaria, to Balchik, a place I love. Fortunately, the Bulgarian neighbors have not established strict rules for entering their country.
All good and beautiful, we got ready, got in the car and headed for the sea. The road to the border was a pleasure. This happened in July, it was a beautiful July day. I left in the morning and I remembered on this occasion a favorite song in adolescence .... July Morning!
Not everything that starts well ends up the same. The little devil prepared a surprise for me, a more than unpleasant surprise. After driving 300 km to the border with Bulgaria, the customs officers found that my driving license had expired for almost a year! In Romania, the driving license is valid for 10 years and then must be renewed (after doing a series of medical tests). I forgot to check, I checked everything else ... technical overhaul of the car, insurance, tolls in Romania and Bulgaria, ID (valid for 50 years) ...
I had to go home but had to pay for a day of hotel accommodation (booking.com). It was great drama, especially for my wife.
The desire to have a vacation, even in pandemic conditions, and to see the sea made us get over the upset and losses. It took two weeks to renew the driver's license and a month to refresh the finances. Once these were resolved, I went again to Bulgaria, to Balchik. This time everything was fine and we arrived safely at our destination.
You may be wondering ... why Balchik?
Well, there are several answers and reasons for this choice. First of all, because here is a palace, a small palace. The Palace of Queen Maria of ... Romania!
Now you may be wondering why the Castle of a Queen of Romania is in Bulgaria. It takes a little history.
Balchik (Bulgarian: Балчик, Turkish: Balçık, French: Baltchik, English: Balchik) is a town on the Black Sea coast in the Dobrich region of South Dobrogea in northeastern Bulgaria, located 42 km from Varna. It is currently one of Bulgaria's tourist attractions on the Black Sea. In the period 1913-1940 it belonged to the Kingdom of Romania, together with the rest of South Dobrogea, following the Second Balkan War (June-August 1913). In 1940, the Quadrilateral, including the Balchik, was recaptured by Bulgaria. Here is the Castle of Balchik, the favorite summer residence of Queen Maria, surrounded by an equally famous botanical garden unique in Central and Eastern Europe, especially due to the collection of cacti.
Due to the limestone slopes in its perimeter, the town was nicknamed the White City. The whole area was called the Silver Coast for the same reasons.
Source
At the beginning of the twentieth century, during the period when this region belonged to the Kingdom of Romania, Balchik became a city visited by Romanian painters and by the wealthy bourgeoisie. Queen Maria was invited to visit the city and immediately fell in love with its beauty and oriental appearance. After receiving as a gift a large area of land, she decided to build this palace, in fact a villa, a holiday home and the vast gardens.
It is now the most visited tourist attraction of the city. It is a small building, with small and friendly rooms where the queen used to relax, read and paint. The lack of grandeur of this house shows what was the character of the queen who prefers quality over quantity.
Along with visiting the castle, I forgot to say that the castle was named the Lonely Nest by the queen, you must also visit the botanical garden, the most beautiful in southeastern Europe. Queen Maria personally participated in the design and construction of these beautiful gardens.
The castle but especially the gardens are on a hill and the view to the sea and the promenade is spectacular.
Balchik is also called the White City or Silver Coast. This is due to the hills that surround it as well as the sea coast that contains limestone and chalk.
Balchik is a seaside town and the tourists who come here come especially for the sea and what it offers. Beach and bathing in the sea. I must say that from this point of view the offer is not very generous, the beaches are very narrow and often separated from the sea by the pedestrian promenade. For me this is not a problem because I come to Balchik especially for walking and scenery. Castle and botanical garden. Traditional Bulgarian food, fish, mussels and beer.
Walking and Scenery
Traditional Bulgarian food and beer
Evening and night walks, when the heat during the day is
driven away by a pleasant coolness given by the sea breeze.
The terraces seduce you with images of dishes and the view from sunset and after.
Of course a little beach and swimming in the sea. Without this it's not possible.
Balchik is only 40 km from Varna. Varna is one of the big cities of Bulgaria and can be reached by plane. For those like me, who live relatively close, the car is the most comfortable solution.
In the center of the promenade are placed three flags. Of Bulgaria, of course. Of Romania, because most tourists are from Romania and Russia. Of Russia because of the traditional friendship or because there are many Russians here on vacation. I do not know.
Sea and flowers. This is what I think characterizes this small town which is one of my holiday destinations. I'm so glad it's close to my city.
