Apr30

A breather in Bulgaria – Cape Kaliakra and the Black Sea

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Wednesday, 03-Sept-2025, through Saturday, 06-Sept-2025

Up the coast we drove, from the Southern part of Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast up toward the Northern side.

We were heading toward a spot on the Northern shore for another few days, getting to visit with Andrea’s family for a bit. The goals were basically the same, though – relax, enjoy, and take a good breather from the chaos of Dublin city life.

Along the way we got to see Cape Kaliakra, an ancient fortress on a small peninsula jutting into the sea, above sheer cliffs with crashing waves… absolutely beautiful, and a really cool opportunity for the English-speaker to see a bit more of Bulgaria’s history.

But overall? We relaxed by the pool, ate amazing food, and just… were.

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Apr29

A breather in Bulgaria – Plovdiv

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Sunday, 31-Aug-2025 and Monday, 01-Sept-2025

<Slightly out of order, I know… bear with me!>

Plovdiv was a quick stop on our adventure – specifically a drive from Sofia to Sinemoritz – but dear lord it was beautiful.

Ancient ruins, amazing food… just such a great time all around, with amazing times and good friends!

Apr28

A breather in Bulgaria – Walltopia

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Sunday, 31-August-2025



“Seriously? Walltopia is based in Bulgaria? It was FOUNDED in Bulgaria?”
– Ben, upon hearing that the company that build his favorite climbing gyms around the world was started in Bulgaria.

It wasn’t something I’d expected to ever hear, and it wasn’t a place I ever expected to make a pilgrimage to… but the idea of visiting the showroom for the company that’s made almost all of my favorite climbing gyms did start to grow on me quickly.

Walltopia is a manufacturing company that makes wall panels, holds, HVAC, and then slathers textures pseudo-rock on top of it all. They make climbing gyms, and I owe them a huge amount of gratitude for the quality of the gyms I’ve been to.

And, interestingly, down the street from where Andrea’s family has an apartment in Sofia, Walltopia has their showcase gym. A spot where they can invite people to climb while showing off all the new technology that they’re working on.

We, of course, tested it all out, and had an absolute blast doing so.