I met Jeff many years ago on the expedition to Antarctic. We were exploring South Georgia and landed on remote Bouvet Island. Later he invented meeting of the toptrotters (that’s how I named travellers who explored much more than regular globetrotters). He accepted my proposal: let it be Lena River in Siberia. Five of us: two Americans, Frenchman, Jorge from Spain and me met in Yakutia in 2009 – see our picture on the junk river boat:

Today I had a pleasure to meet Jeff again after 17 years. He is outstanding toptrotter: he visited all countries of the world but also climbed Seven Summits (the highest peaks of all seven continents)

We both were so happy to talk about our travels, our plans and new opportunities. Thank you Jeff and until the next time!

Travelling the world I take the advantage of being the member of the Servas – international organization of the open doors. I am also meeting and guiding other members coming to Gdansk. I just had a plasure to guide the lovely couple from Koln, Germany – Ingrid and Peter:

The day was lovely and we had a good time walking aroung old town, taking free (fer seniors) tram to Oliwa for park and cathedral. Thank you dear Servas Friends for your visit! 🙂

As a teenager I was an active member of the Polish boyscouts organization. I like this period of my life very much. I still have many friends – former fellow scouts and guide girls. Once a year we are getting together thanks to energetic Ela – living now in USA. We just celebrated with pleasure this-year’ meeting in her Gdansk flat enjoying great homemade food, singing and chatting:

All of us, we are 70+, but the memories are still alive… Thank you Ela and Jurek for your warm hospitality!

It is the time to say goodbye to Varna on the Black Sea. At 10 am I boarded the bus 31 with few one euro coins in my hand. I tried to pay the fare in the ticket machine – it does not work! Forget also the credit card payment… I reported the case to the driver. He said No problem! – allowing me to travel for free. On second bus – 409, heading to the airport the machine was working… I had didital boarding pass, but they send me to chrck in stand to print the paper one anyway. Looong single line to the security control. That’s todays Bulgaria where you pay 3 euro for the kilo of tomatoes… Is has still nice but crowded beaches I is different but it is hard to say that it is inexpensive – like years before! 🙂

I am ready for boarding. The flight will be on time!

On Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria there are many beaches. In central Varna there are city beaches and noce coastal park. But foreign tourists prefere those outside the big city – north of Varna.

Today I decided to visit few beaches. Bus 51A took me from Vinnitsa quarter where I live down tto Constantin and Elena quarter. Then I crossed the park and line of hotels. And I found myself in the small bay with gold sand. I did not expected so many peuple bathing but it is peak season….

There are diifferent hotels and restaurants jut above the beach.I like most the More restaurant with castle-like towers and cannons:

I went to the next bay and the nextt… is not possible to visit in one day all beaches on the way to famous Golden Sands resort town… It was 30 deg Celsius here today. In the early afternoon I decided to go to the shady home. This picture shows how many different styles you can see in today’s Varna:

There was big battle near Varna inn the year 1444. Allied forces of Christian countries commanded by Polish king Vladislav wanted to stop 60 thousads Ottoman Turks army. They won. Polish king fell in this battle. Only in 1935 local authorities erected near Varna symbolic mausoleum (king’s body was never found). Today I visited this mausoleum and little museum located in the fenced park. Entry cost me just 1 euro. Bus 22 goes there from the cathedral square.

This city break was invented already 6 months ago. Wizzair offered direct tickets Gdansk to Varna – Bulgaria for just 30 euro each way. Last time I have been to Varna as a student, some 60 years ago. Despite of my health problems I decided to fly.. We landed in Varna after 2,5 hour flight. Poor airport terminal, poor service. But no passport control for the passengers coming from Schengen zone. Once out of the terminal I turned right to find on the second lane city bus 409 stop. It will take you for 1 euro to the city center and the beaches. You have to pay inside, but the ticket machine on the bus do not accept credit card. Euro coins only! I changed the bus to number 31 just opposite the cathedral in the center. It was not easy to find my booked Delfini Pension well hidden in the peripheral street of Winnitsa quarter. I need a rest!

In the night of 21st July 2026 I experienced brain stroke. They took me to the hospital for immediate surgery. After 10 days doctors sent me home but I suffer from limited visibility and problem with my left feet. It was for me real BLACK MONDAY.. Is this the end of solo traveling? How about my next big voyages prepared during two years and ready to execute?

It is warm summer now in my Wojtkówka and i live in my dacha enjoying flowers around and fresh vegetables for the meals Today I have a pleasure to host my old friends: Wlodek and Christina. We know each other since our student’s days.

It was so nice to see them again, to chat and to offer them my sweet cherries. We have a lot of memories to refresh… It was lovely, sunny day and the enjoyed my flowers. Finally after more than two hours when it was time to say goodbye I offered them a huge kohlrabi and head of green lettuce fromy my garden

Until the next time Wlodek and Christina! You are always welcome!

Every July in Old Gdansk local authorities organize concert series “Chopin by the waters of the Motława River”

Pianists from different countries are playing at sunset in the foyer of our philharmonic hall, with the nice view of the river and old town buildings. This creates very special atmosphere.

My faithful and reliable friends Ela and Jacek invited me to tonight’s concert once again. We’ve been coming here every year for many years now. It became already the lovely tradition.

Ludmil Angelov, the artist from Bulgaria was performing this evening. We were listening with the pleasure to Sonata in b, three polonaises and nocturnes. It was great evening! Thank you my Friends!