Visiting Razlog and Struggling with Log Fires
Visiting Razlog and Struggling with Log Fires
I visited Razlog today which is a much different town to Bansko – from what I saw of it. I didn’t venture too much outside the main centre but I imagine Razlog to be much more like a typical Bulgarian town than Bansko. I say ‘imagine’ because I have nothing to compare it to. 
Razlog, about two kilometres from Redenka Lodge, with not a half finished apartment block in site. The centre is littered with cafe bars. I tried hard to find somewhere to eat but either I was there at the wrong time of day or all the Bulgarians were having liquid breakfast/lunch.
I risked asking for a menu in one cafe only to find it was totally in Bulgarian(Funny that, in Bulgaria of all places 
). So I gave that up as a bad job and bought some pieces of fruit in a nearby store. Two each of apples, pears, plums and peaches for 3 Leva(Around £1).
I must have stuck out like a sore thumb. Not another tourist in site. Well, I didn’t see anyone else taking photos.
Rather than try to describe the town – probably in a really non descriptive way – here are a few photos:
You can get a load more photos by downloading the files here. If Windows does not automatically open these images to a folder on your PC you will need Winzip to unzip the folders which you can download for free here(Click the “Download Evaluation” button)
I spent around an hour in Razlog – having a coffee and coke in one of the cafe/bars which cost 2 leva. It’s embarrassing handing over such small amounts of money. I suspect some of you may not have this problem with this though 
On the way out of Razlog I discovered a small electrical shop, where you can buy coffee machines, electrical kettles, microwaves, TVs etc. From the looks of the condition of some of the items they are second-hand but many of the goods are boxed and appear to be new – at very reasonable prices. Incidentally, a T.V bracket similar to two that Furnish BG sold me for 73.34 Euro each can be bought in this store for 42 Leva.
Hint: If you are buying furniture of the Furnishing companies via the web, ask for pictures. What was listed as a T.V stand was actually a bracket for attaching the T.V to the wall. You live and learn. 
I decided to walk the 2 km back to the main road which links Redenka Lodge to Bansko and try to thumb a taxi from there to Bansko. Fortunately after finding no taxis in site I was picked up on the road by Maria from PropertyManagement BG who informed me that there are very few taxis available in and around Bansko at this time of year.
I spent a couple of hours in Bansko, had lunch, had more of a look about town and up towards the Gondola. You can see photos in the download above.
On arriving back at our apartment I was delighted to receive a phone call from a fella from just outside Belfast, who has bought an apartment just below me in Redenka Lodge, who happens to be in Bansko – staying in his other fully furnished apartment. Unbelievable coincidence!
Anyway I met up with John, we had a two course dinner in a nice Bulgarian restaurant in Bansko(Begins with ‘V’, can’t remember the name) – no more Lions pub cheese burgers. A two course meal with two drinks each cost 23 Leva(£8.21p).
We discussed tactics and our experiences so far. He is over to scout the place out before he embarks on his furniture buying expedition next month.
As I went to the toilet I discovered why men and women in Bulgaria have such strong thighs – the toilet was a hole in the ground. That’s right boys and girls, you don’t get to read the sun while relaxing on the bog. Thankfully I didn’t have to squat.:shock:
Later I met up with Victor from Bulgarian Properties who has arranged a man with a van to take me to Blagoevgrad tomorrow morning to buy some furniture. Apparently there is a place there called Stil Dow(:?: Spelling) in Blagoevgrad which sells all types of furniture. There is also TechnoMarket – an electrical goods store and Mr Bricolage – which is Bulgarias answer to B&Q.
The man with the van will relieve me of 60 Euros for the privilege. Considering he doesn’t speak any English and is bringing someone along who does, I thought this was a great deal. Presumably he is paying the ad hoc interpreter.
I will save a fortune for my remaining furniture by buying direct from the stores – much, much more than 60 Euro. The van may not hold all the furniture I need to buy so I will check for delivery options at the furniture shop and post about this tomorrow.
The greatest challenge of the day came in trying to light the fire in my apartment with logs. I bought a large box of logs, delivered by Maria from PropertyManagementBg today. These guys have really gone out of there way to provide everything I have asked for. Anyway, you ever try to light a log fire with kitchen appliance booklets? Here’s a tip, buy some fuel or firelighters with your logs. I eventually got it going after the fourth attempt(See pic). Nice!
George, Bulgarian properties IT manager was also here today and connected the cables to my apartment to give me internet access. Thankfully I don’t have to go to the lobby anymore to access the wireless connection there and can plug my laptop straight into the net connection – in the wall socket.
The internet service will be available to all residents once the Lodge offically opens to the public.
Tomorrow I will report on my attempts to get the furniture I need to Redenka Lodge.
Tags: redenka, redenka lodge, razlog, bansko, furniture bulgaria, furniture bansko, bansko ski, visit bansko, bansko property, bulgarian properties, bulgarian property management