Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Ok I went I came back it was good. Nuff said Oh you want more do you?? Ok.

Well it was a cold Saturday morning and I woke at 7.00 am. But this was not just another weekend oh no dear reader, this was Saturday 13th March 2004. The day I was to return to Pamporovo, Bulgaria (just in case any of you forgot where the place is!). I almost leapt out of bed that morning such was my joy, strecthed farted, burped and scratched myself (god men are good eh?) And then started on the daily task of trying to prise Louise out of bed, gave up and went and got dressed. Well excitedly I packed the car, ok more like opened boot chuck cases in close boot. And after triple checking that we had everything we set off in Little Devil Cars(my taxi) to pick up my sister Beverly and her hubby Chris for they where also to accompany us on this epic voyage.

Arrived at Gatwick at 10am and drove around and around until we could find the bloody stupid parking place we had booked. Then checked in had big greasy fry up luverly jubbly and waited with excitement to board the plane. Boarded plane at 13.15 was amazed to see hardly anyone else on plane got off to check if it was the right one (it was) got back on took seat. I had booked with Inghams they fly with Thomas Cook so it was a lovely Airbus A 320 with 48 yes 48 people on it!!! Do you know how empty a plane that is designed to carry 130 people looks when just 48 people get on? Well let me tell you dear reader it looks empty!!! So moved seats with she who must be obeyed and enjoyed a nice quiet flight. 2.5 hours later we landed at Plovdiv.

Wow this place had not changed a bit still just a cowshed in the middle of an airfield! The others could not get over how tiny it was, and just 1 yes 1 baggage belt. So within half an hour we are on a quite frankly crap coach pulling out Plovdiv and starting to wind up the mountain pass to that Holy place that is Pamporovo.

Like an excited child on xmas morning I could not sit still and kept bouncing up and down on the seat and pressing my nose to window yelling out "I recognise that!" After Louise had restrained me in me seat (my thanks to all those that helped.) I sat back and relaxed and waited and waited for the snow line to appear. "Dan are you sure their is snow?" I was repeatedly asked "Yes" was my curt reply for I had checked the snow report on this very site and the webcam that morning and their was loads. But I started to worry a bit as we got higher and higher and still no snow "Hmm I thought perhaps Pamps Pete, Ally,Imt and the rest of the gang have knicked it!" Now the blind panic set in, could the webcam lie was ther really no snow? I began to shake the sweat pored of me and then yes I was sure it was out of the corner of my eye what did I see SNOW YES SNOW by golly there was loads of the stuff. I sobbed gently into my tissue thank you snow god thankyou.

Now arriving in Pamporovo at night with loads of snow on the ground I think is best summed up by the words of my sister " Ah it looks just like a winter wonderland!"
And you know what? She was right! Pamporovo looked stunning the snow was deep and crisp and even. The fairy lights twinkled on the buildings catching the snow with that wonderful glimmer I sat back and smiled. Yes the smile of the cat that had got the cream and the mouse so broad was my smile that my jaw ached! I was back, back in Pamporovo after 1095 days I had come to what is now my spiritual home.I was so happy I could of cried(Ok, ok I admit it maybe just 1 tear formed!)

The coach pulled up outside the Hotel Murgavets and I climbed over Louise and pushed everyone out of my way such was my joy at seeing the old place again. This was my fourth visit to Pamps and I have always stayed at the Murgavets and I was eager to see for myself the much herelded improvements. The porters came running out to meet us " Ah how nice I thought they are overjoyed at my arrival"
I was then suddeny engulfed in a bear hug "wow" I thought they really are pleased to see me! I prised my way out of the porters grip,boy he was strong. And then I recognised him it was Assen he had been here every year that I have stayed and he had recognised me instanly. He was now pumping my hand and smiling broadly at me and then proceeded to grab everyone else's hand who was with me even some passes by! I was happy, he was happy, we where all happy!

I walked up the steps and into the Grand Hotel Murgavets and boy was I suprised. I had seen the photos almost on a daily basis and could not belive how much the place had changed. But nothing quite prepares you for the reality of it.
" Wow" I said my jaw dropping to the floor "Bloody hell, bloody wow!" It really had changed it was now just like a new hotel it looked posh. I went out outside and checked the sign again, just in case they had moved the old one you see. No there it was in big letters Grand Hotel Murgavets. "WOW"

Checking in was a breeze and our bags where whisked away upstairs to our room number 106. I had not stayed on the first floor before and was a bit worried about the noise I should'nt have been there was none. Well ok that would be silly their was noise but not enough to keep you awake at night ok?

The room was the next surprise gone was the old dark brown wood furniture that was left from the communist age( Oh those commies they where a miserable lot!) And in it its place was a nice light clean room with twin beds (oh joy!) new tv and what was that I could see under the dressing table? No could it be? To much to hope for? Yes it was a mini bar!! With sensible prices! 1 lev for a bottle of water.
The only thing that had not changed was the bathroom it was still all brown tiles but in this one someone had knicked the bath! And in it's place was a bloody great hole in the floor. The shower was still in place but no bath. I quicky summised it was one of those wet rooms and the bloody great hole which could swallow a small child was the drain. Oh well it was clean, just meant Lou could not have a bath.This was not good news for her or me come to that for what effects her usually comes round to me.

Then we hurried next door to my Sisters room and grabbed her and husband Chris and proceeded downstairs for the evening meal. I had assured everyone it would just be a few chips and a bit of meat because it always was when I had arrived late at night. But this time I was pleastenly surprised when we had finely got a table after being told they had none, well they did'nt I had to go and find my porter friend to sort it out for us! It would seem that in the eagerness to upgrade the hotel and put a seperate restaurant in they had overlooked one small detail. There was now not enough Bloody tables to cater for everyone! Doh! must have been a man who thought of that! Anyway we had a very nice meal served at the table consisting of shopska salad and well other stuff! Hey it was a week ago how am I meant to remember? Anyway it was good and surprise it was HOT!!

Then it was of to explore a bit. Ok I lie it was straight down to BJs just in time for happy hour, buy one get one free! sheer bloody genius who ever came up with that idea. Nice to see KoKo the barman who when I last saw him was in the White Hart. And he also recognised me these guys have good memories dont they? The others where starting to think that I knew everyone in the resort! Anyway a few Astikas and off to bed we went to dream of snow and ski's.......

To Be Continued.........................If anyone has got this far well done!