UP to Paradise

posted in: Blog | 0

Central Balkan National Park is one of my personal favourite pieces of pristine nature to visit. On one of my hiking trips to Paradise Hut, whilst taking the usual photographs, I decided to try experimenting with more video and to film different scenes on the way. In the end I had a large enough collection of them to make a short film. The video is following the path towards the “Paradise Waterfall” in Bulgaria. “Raisko Praskalo” is the highest waterfall on the Balkan Peninsula. It falls from a height of 124,5 metres and is situated right under Botev peak (2376 m) in the Central Balkan National Park. The area is a reserve, protecting a rich diversity of wildlife, plants, majestic old natural forests, pure mountain streams, waterfalls and impressive rock formations. “Paradise Hut” (“Hizha Rai”) is the name of the tourist lodge situated under the waterfall, that is only accessible by foot. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/2eAdXwZjHNA

Dolen village in the Rhodopi mountains, Bulgaria

posted in: Blog | 0

This is the village of Dolen, which means “lower”. It is situated in the western part of the Rhodope region and is an architectural reserve.

IMGP4243

Beglika dam on the way to Dolen.

IMGP4289 IMGP4297

Heavy summer rain.IMGP4333

The green plants in the wheelbarrow are tobacco leaves, which are still a traditional means of livelihood in the Rhodope mountains.

IMGP4335 IMGP4338 IMGP4349 IMGP4353The entrance to a small old orthodox church.

Memories from a fishermen’s village

posted in: Blog | 0

Some years ago, there was a small settlement at the estuary of the river Ropotamo in Bulgaria. It consisted of a few shacks scattered between the trees on the riverbank, which blended in well with the pristine wilderness that surrounded it. The village had a very special atmosphere of peace and tranquility, as the people lived a simple lifestyle that was unobtrusive and nature friendly. Unfortunately, a few years ago the local council decided that the village was illegal and that since it was built in a nature reserve it should be taken down.

These photographs show the boats and the pier when the village still existed.

IMGP2549

IMGP2551 IMGP2567 IMGP2569