An idea is born

The sun was shining through the black Dutch clouds. We were leisurely having our Saturday breakfast together. Four girls chilling and laughing over cups of steamy cappuccinos and plates filled with yummy chocolate pancakes.

Then, an adventurous idea dawned on us. Why not making the most of this sunny day (really rare in the Netherlands; the sun here is like the unicorns – everybody talks about it, but almost never sees it)?

We didn`t need much convincing. In five minutes, you could see us – four radiant girls who have mounted their old-fashioned omma fiets (Dutch granny bikes), firmly determined to drive them all the way from Groningen to the North Sea (30km).

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva (the fourth girl)

Our end destination was the seal center in Pieterburen– the largest seal rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary in the Netherlands, where injured and orphaned seals are rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Why going there? Because seals are cute. And what kind of person can resist seals anyway?

Adventure on two wheels

3,2,1…and our little biking adventure was off for a flying start. The sun was shining for two hours straight (wow) and we kept on riding across the bike lanes crossing the endless green Dutch meadows. From time to time, some roaming cows or a windmill showed up to liven up the monotonous landscape.

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva

Our first and only stop was at a hipster camping by the canals. It was a pleasure to eat our hummus and cheese sandwiches on a sunny meadow hidden behind a tiny forest. After devouring our food along with a cup of strong coffee, we felt the juices flowing again. A few jokes about how our butts hurt and we were off to continue our ride.

As you may expect in the Netherlands, the sun disappeared from the horizon. Instead, it was replaced by a ferocious wind (riding in a tiny sleeveless T-shirt didn`t look so cool anymore). But we are not quitters, so we continued riding against the wind and managed to reach Pieterburen.

To Pieterburen and back

Playing with the seals is fun. But you should never ever do it, as we were told! Turns out that these adorable creatures are savage beasts that can bite your fingers. Luckily, no one lost a finger and we even got a bonus tour around and got introduced to each and every seal.

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva

Each seal had a name and a story. Tommy, for example, was sick and recovering in the sanctuary. Jenny was found injured and helplessly lying on the seashore. Both of them will be released back into the wild once they feel better. What a wonderful thought: it`s never too late for a new beginning!

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva

It was getting darker and colder. Our plan was to take the bus back to Groningen and pay extra for the bikes. Freezing in our T-shirts, we were impatiently waiting for it to arrive. When it did, we got a nasty surprise: bikes were not allowed! Switching to plan B, we rolled our (short) sleeves up and rode 30 km in the fierce wind and freezing temperatures.

Lessons learned

You might be wondering: did you learn something from your bike trip to Pieerburen? Yes, we did:

• Lesson 1: Never go on a biking trip in the Netherlands without a jacket!
• Lesson 2: Bikes are not allowed in buses and Dutch drivers make no exceptions even for a group of freezing girls. So, plan your trip carefully, having that in mind.
• Lesson 3: Life`s better with friends. And a little adventure won`t hurt. Riding long distances in the cold is bearable if you talk about the meaning of life and play associations and mystery-solving games.

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva

All this thigs up… plays the role of rehabilitation 🙂 of the soul.

 Over to you

Why not embarking on an adventurous journey? What could possibly go wrong? And don`t forget to share your fun experiences in the comments down below!

The post 4 Girls on a Bike Trip to the North Sea appeared first on 203Challenges.

You won’t meet lovers of sand beaches in the Bulgarian seaside village of Tyulenovo (Тюленово), simply because there is no sand in the area. Along the entire coastline there are only majestic cliffs, plunging 20-30 m (65-100 ft), with curious folds, pinnacles and hollows shaped by the crashing waves. Below them lie many underwater caves, while the remains of ships that have wrecked against the dangerous coast lie scattered across the sea bed. Relics from ancient civilizations have been found in rock niches throughout the years – maybe many more still remain undiscovered.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

What you will find in Tyulenovo

Lovers of diving and rock climbing, fans of wild sea beaches, explorers of ancient cultures and nature photographers are drawn to this place. Some pitch their tents right on the rocks, despite the strong wind, while others stay in family hotels and guest houses. But in Tyulenovo, everyone is searching for that extraordinary one thing that keeps popping up in your mind months after your visit.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

The seals of Tyulenovo

Although its name translates from Bulgarian as “the village of seals,” there are no longer any seals in Tyulenovo. They disappeared years ago, probably in the 1970s, although a lack of exact data makes it impossible to know for sure. Almost as blurry is the story of how they came to be in the village in the first place. Many put the seals’ presence down to Maria, a Romanian queen who loved to spend her holidays at her summer residence in the nearby town of Balchik (the present-day Castle of Balchik, open to visitors). In the 1930s she raised a pair of seals, then decided one day to let them free. The seals settled near Tyulenovo, which was at the time named Kalach Kyoy. The village was renamed Tyulenovo (“of the seals”) in 1942 because of those seals.

Even if you can’t dive, even if you can’t climb a rock, even if you don’t find a single cave once inhabited by the Thracians, it’s enough to wake up before sunrise, sit by the rock bridge and watch the sun shimmering off the waves.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

We challenge you to…

…get up before sunrise and welcome the sun on the rocky coast – an unforgettable experience!

Useful information:

The village of Tyulenovo is 80 km from Varna. You can take a bus from Sofia and Varna to Shabla, then a bus from Shabla to Tyulenovo. However, that bus runs only twice a week, so it’s faster to hitchhike or rent a car.

A map of the best vantage point in Tyulenovo:

Pin it to your travel board:

The post Secret beaches in Bulgaria: Tyulenovo, the village of seals appeared first on 203Challenges.