Burgas, the city of sea and coasts, lies on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and is the 4th largest Bulgarian city after the first 2 and Varna. A choice had to be made between Burgas and Varna because there was no space on the schedule for the both of them. Burgas was always coming on top even though Varna was the bigger city. Reason: Nesebar! And there's an entire album dedicated to that justifies my choice.
Truth is, the actual time spent in Burgas itself was very limited because Nesebar was the highlight, but there were still some places that you had to go before you can say you've been to Burgas. None more so than the sea garden along the Black Sea Coast where the Моста (Mosta bridge) is. Featured in the album cover is the T-shaped Моста itself, reaching out towards the Black Sea under the fluffy clouds and blazing hot sun.
Burgas itself didn't have that many key attractions, but the one thing that I really regret not seeing was the Festival of Sand Sculptures. It was further North of the sea garden and actually very close to where we stayed but it was a mix of tight schedule and absent-mindedness. Maybe next time...
A lone seagull in full flight in the skies along the Black Sea Coast. There was no shortage of these gulls flying around but it was a challenge to get a good shot of one in a relaxed flight motion. Most of them were often frantically flapping away at each other. Maybe this was the one who keeps calm and carries on.
From the Моста, you can see the Port of Burgas in the distance. Much like Keppel/Harbourfront is to Singapore, it serves both businesses and commercial ferries. Seen here is just one of 4 other terminals and together they make up for the biggest port in Bulgaria.
Further on down the Моста is the horizontal part of the "T". Each ends are quite different from the other. While there were people jumping off and having fun on the other end, it's quite isolated here. Not sure if you can fish here, but the signs were saying "no diving" on this side. Which might explain why people were diving on the other side instead.
The view of the Black Sea Coast from the Моста. Seems crowded but I reckon that this was not the peak of the "enjoy a day on the sunny beach" season yet. Then of course, there's always a plane that flies by in the distance along with the EU flag and the Bulgarian flag. Can't picture out what airline that is though, not that I would know to begin with.
I'm enjoying myself in the sun, just like the locals on the beach. But this is as far as I would go in terms of relaxing in the sun. Gave the few snorkelers below the bridge a good wave because I wished I could go in the water too. Not time for that though.
Interestingly enough, the sun may seem to be blazing, but you somehow don't feel that it's as hurting as that back in Singapore.
A flight of steps back up to the sea garden to the Sailor's Monument. Had to gradually piece together each Bulgarian letter to figure out what it was.
It says на всички моряци, transliterated to na vsichki moryatsi, meaning "all sailors".
In case you were wondering, the surrounding inscriptions beside are Bible verses from Genesis.
Back in Burgas after waiting for the sun to set in Nesebar. Dinner with Deyan and yet another round of overflowing food, you could probably consider it 2 dinners.
If things work in our favour, that laksa idea might just become a reality! ;)
Here's the Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Cathedral that's right in the city centre. My flare cap did not help make this photo any easier to take because the sun was right where I didn't want it to be. It did create a nice effect though.
Burgas' biggest Orthodox Cathedral has a very interesting "spelling mistake" which you'll see on the front, where it says храм "Св.Св. Кирил и Методий". Of course it isn't a spelling mistake!
Didn't get to see the frescos on the interior because a big portion of the church was undergoing massive renovations. Glad I managed to cover up the renovations quite well with the photo ;)
The Surp Hach Armenian Church is one of the oldest churches in Burgas. It's also culturally significant and so "has been designated a cultural heritage monument".
That was it for Burgas then. On the way out towards Veliko Tarnovo. I must say that I was a little disappointed that we had to rush through the city and didn't get to enjoy the beach enough. Better than nothing I guess. It sure was nice to have proper seafood finally though ;)
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