By bus to post a letter...

Out and about last week I bought some postcards but couldn't figure out where to buy stamps. Enquires revealed that there is a post office behind McDonald's in the pedestrianised area and a main office somewhere behind the cathedral, identifiable by yellow flags. This seems to be the common postal colour across Europe unlike British red. As it is about time that I tried out the bus service I decided to head up the leafy end of my street to catch a bus into town on Bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel", driving on the right means that I do not have to cross the main road.  I could identify the bus numbers and times but not the destinations but I knew that they must end up in the centre somewhere. Because of this and subsequent failed attempts to find timetables I have decided to create a page on the blog dedicated to the bus routes in Varna.  Whilst sitting waiting for the next bus I noticed that the traffic lights count down to their change just as they did in Thailand, I think that this should be universally adopted.

View the full "Varna" photo album  (the new photos start at the first one shown at the top of this post)

Examples of the tickets

I hopped onto the bus, being bendy there are several doors to choose from so I followed the pack, my fare of 1 lev in hand. Sitting down I was approached by a lady with a pouch and a sheaf of tickets to whom I handed my fare.  Examining the tickets later I tried to translate them to see if thy gave a clue to the journeys. I discovered that one would translate from Bulgarian, one was both Bulgarian and Russian and one completely in Russian. Non gave a clue to the journey. We headed down the boulevard then, instead of following my walking route as I had hoped, we turned right into Bul. "Primorski Polk". Heading along past a large fountain in front of the Municipal Hall and the Archaeological Museum, both places to visit later, I decided to hop off as we stopped outside the Cathedral.

I was immediately accosted by a man who wished to change my currency for me but disappointed him, never use these people. I did manage to find out that he had lived in England and he also told me that the Main Post Office was behind the Cathedral so I departed in that direction.  It occurred to me that I could have taken the opportunity to look inside especially as the Post Office was closed for lunch but I was wearing shorts.  I should say that the stamp counter was closed, the rest was in full swing and you must take care to stand in the right cue, each counter caters for a separate type of transaction. I wandered back out and around the square whilst waiting for the stamp counter to open.



The square is bordered on two sides by a series of flower stalls which afforded a bright display on a very bright day. I was actually looking for a place to have some light refreshment as it was lunch time-ish but failed to find anywhere to hand. I was struck by the wide streets which make up these cities, I am told that they tried to copy Paris and Vienna. Returning to the post office I should add that I found the right building at the second attempt having entered the clinic next door by mistake. I should have kept an eye out for the yellow flag!  I must go back to take another photograph of the entrance which had quite an imposing engraved list of what I can only assume to be postal districts and their numbers on two columns above the various post boxes. Job done, I hope that they arrive as I sent them "First Class", a clue to the continuing theme of this trip. And you think I make it up as I go along lol!

I crossed back through the Cathedral square and down the pedestrian subway, a large walkway populated by various street traders.  On the other side is situated the "Grande cafe" attached to Drama theatre "Stoyan Bachvarov" building.  I had a pleasant drink here at the end of my last waking trip so thought that lunch overlooking the park would be nice.  I have to say, however, that this cafe is more suited to drinks and pastries. It was only able to offer a mediocre toasted sandwich. There is another cafe on the other side of the building which offers a larger menu but, unfortunately, faces the road. The Tourist Information office is just next door.

The small park called the "City Garden" is undergoing renovation but consists of a multitude of well established mixed species of tree affording a green haven in the bright sunlight as you walk through it. In the centre of the 'garden' is a monument to "Graf Ignatiev" 1832-1908. A Russian favourite of Tsar Nicholas I, he became 'Ambassador to Constantinople'. His aim was to liberate the Balkans and particularly Bulgaria from their rule and bring them under the fold of the Russia. He has streets and centres named after him in Sophia too.  On the far side of the garden is a street market with stalls selling everything from books to bags, fruit to fridge magnets.  A very colourful display and worth a browse before I headed of down ul. "Pirot" 'cos it was there. This joined with ul. "Krastyu Mirski" as I headed down hill.

I have mentioned before about my sister's "Bridal Designs" business, well this street and it's surrounding area intrigued me as it is full of bridal or associated shops and businesses. Not far to go if your wife and daughter wish to spend the day looking for that ultimate dress and all the fixtures and fittings. Just deposit them here whilst you head off the to the nearest tavern.   I think that you can even have the reception here. Such a good idea, but mind your wallet!

Varna Railway Station

Onward down the hill and I can hear the call of the seagull as I round the corner and reach this imposing building.  The wide boulevard approaching along from the the centre and the rich folk of the bul. "Primorski" must have been very grand when those who could afford to travel in style alighted here from their horse drawn landau or latter their elegant limousines. Or, perhaps arriving from the adjoining port to continue their tour of Europe.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the station is signed both in Bulgarian and English and there is an English speaking information desk.


After exploring the station I headed up bul. "Primorski" past the 'Naval Hospital' and 'Customs House'. Entry to the port is restricted.  The swimming pool at the top of the hill is no ordinary leisure pool, no wonder the eastern block dominated the Olympics. This pool is for serious training, sessions are strictly enforced and priced accordingly. I could see lots of people training hard in their chosen discipline. I am sure that there must be many fine 'galas' held here. Outside was one of the many fine drinking fountains situated all over the city, these draw fresh cool water from the many underground springs and have existed since Roman times.

Continuing downward I arrived at South Beach and found a galleon marooned on the sand. It is actually a restaurant specialising in fish dishes amongst other things. I walked along the harbour wall to take some photographs both of the harbour and along the beach with it's golden sands and umbrellas it looks very inviting, the sea is quite calm in the bay too making ideal holiday conditions for family and friends.  After a cool soft drink at the "Mr Baba" outside bar, fully booked for a children's birthday party so I did not loiter, I walked back up to the main road and boarded a 17A.

Along Bul. "Primorski" we went, this one a more modern bus with a video display of the history of the bus company to entertain. Alas, after turning up bul. "Zsar Osvoboditel" we turned right onto bul. "Knyaz Boris I". Just as well the fare is the same so I thought I would see where I ended up, passing the "Palace of Culture and Sport" and the "Naval Academy" I saw a monument at the top of a hill which is, I believe, the "Ticha Stadium" but I have yet to confirm, the bus turned up bul "Vasil Levski" rather than heading back on the opposite side of the road as I had supposed.  So, after changing to the 409 I headed back towards the city centre then up Bul "Vladislav Varnenchick" to our final 'First Class' destination, yes all three have 1st and 2nd class, it is the Varna Bus Station.

It is immediately obvious as one alights from the bus where one is.  Exploring inside it transpires that there are a host of ticket offices for both national and international bus and air travel. Air travel as this has a shuttle service to the airport so tickets can be bought here too. The stands outside are clearly marked in Crylic not English but will match the destination on the purchased ticket. I suppose that if you are meeting someone just hang about and they will find you. There is also a cafe upstairs for refreshment before or after the journey and, just behind, the back of the new "Grand Mall". Somewhere to shop when I have "loads a money" lol.  It should be said that I managed to get a street map of the centre of Varna from the Tourist Information Office which has the routes of the 409, 8, 9 and 109 bus services marked on it but non of the others. I couldn't get any more information at the bus station either. Hence I will start a page on the blog describing routes as I discover them.  In the mean time it was a ten minute walk hope from the bus station.

View the full "Varna" photo album  (the new photos start at the first one shown at the top of this post)