The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, everyone knows that, but it can also be a curved line, such as a serpentine.

I checked this many times when I was on vacation at the seaside and the hotel we stayed in was far from the beach. I had to walk more than 2 km to the beach. I could go by car but it was difficult with the parking lot too small for many vehicles.

We then discovered a much shorter road, less than 400 meters. The hotel is on the edge of town, on a hillside plateau, and the beach is beyond a cliff. An old staircase makes access to the beach much easier, especially on the way down. In the opposite direction, it is much harder...

Balchik is a Black Sea resort in Bulgaria, where I have been going regularly for decades. I always go with my wife and sometimes with close friends.

On my most recent trip, last September, I had the pleasure of accompanying two ladies: my wife and a good old friend. Beyond the good things, there were also problems, when two ladies are together they always have different opinions and directions!

Walking down to the beach in the morning.

This shortcut was the route every day. For me a good opportunity to use the camera quietly and ignored by my vacation companions.
The first picture is of the distant port of Balchik, which we would have had to bypass if it weren't for this blessed staircase!

There are more beneficiaries, but we prefer to stay further back, to be alone on our walk.

At the top, we have the best perspective and view...

Below the sea, the beach and the piers are waiting for us to walk, fish, and rest as close to the water as possible.

The hundred-year-old staircase and the abundant, semi-Mediterranean vegetation make this place like stepping back in time.

We also met the "keeper" of the place, a beautiful and curious cat.

Next comes the dizzying descent that I tried to shorten as much as possible with this collage.

Near the end of the descent, there is a pause, a small square that separates two construction zones.

On one side are several villas and even a hotel abandoned before construction was completed.

On the opposite side is a new construction, a modern complex of villas, in stark contrast to the abandoned ones!

The staircase that we descended snakes and plunges into the vegetation.

In the middle of the small square is the monument, somewhat inappropriate from this perspective, but on the opposite side is the sea!

This marks the end of the trip to the beach, we reached the pier we were looking at from above, before going down.

Balchik is a seaside resort that has everything, but fewer big beaches. The hill falls into the sea and there is no place for beaches, tourists try to sunbathe wherever they find a place.

This is the bottom end of the staircase.

Even a descent can be tiring, especially if your youth is over. A little rest is always welcome!

Why do I like Balchik so much?

There are many reasons but now I will tell you only one...

In Romania, we have our part of the Black Sea, but in our part, there are few places with cliffs and high shores. In Balchik, the forested hills slope down to the sea, and the scenery is beautiful.

I still have photos of another descent to the beach, and I can't wait to share them with you.
Soon!

_{I rely mostly on photos in all my blogs. Words don't help me as much as photos.}

_{I always start with photos when I want to write a blog. Photos remind me of places, events, and feelings that then turn into words. When I post in Photography Lovers the words have even less importance, they are a companion to the photos I want to show. This often makes the story uninteresting or common, yet it is necessary; otherwise, the photos would merely be a series of unexciting images.}

_{I make this statement as a plea to those reading not to over-judge the text and to focus on the photos. The story puts everything in context and provides the explanations and clarifications necessary for the blog to convey something of interest to the reader.}

_{Since we all love photography, let’s explore the captivating details captured in these photos.!}

_{A wise saying goes that a photograph is worth a thousand words, but I don't think so.}

_{It depends on the viewer.}

Just a friendly heads-up: I'm keeping an eye on you!