First picture above is of Sochi, a Russian resort city but apart from Stalin's,Dacha (his summer residence) there was nothing much to do in this dowdy city. To Yalta in Ukraine where the three leaders Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill came to sign an agreement towards the ending of the second world war. A lovely palace and a very informative guide. Statue of Lenin dominates the city square. A delighteful city but the gem of Ukraine was Sevastopol. arrived there on the 1st. May and they were all in a jolly holiday mood as were the many Soviet warships in the harbour...this port suffered badly during the Crimean War. Gents carry small handbags and that appears so normal there as well as fancy white suites. some wonderful Greek Churches in this town. This city hides a dark secret after the end of the war when the Soviets were in power. In Ballaclava a town about 12 miles away, it was out of bounds for all from Ukraine, they built a city within a mountain and submarines used to come in from the Black Sea to avoid detection and the doors were 20 ton each. Railways and all the needs to keep one alive should there have been a nuclear war were in there. It was a sobering place to visit. It took five years to build and there are miles and miles of hidden roadway inside the mountain, All laid with cement.

We visited Bulgarian city of Nessebar and has an old town with narrow streets and some beautiful shops. Sadly there are many churches there, most now closed and turned as you see this one into an Art Gallery. Some witty signs in shops..... this one "Sorry we're open". Walking down in the new part of town I noticed on the poles along the street signs and photographs of people . It seems when a person dies they put up laminated pictures on the electricty poles and leave them there for a few years to remind people who may walk past. If you have enjoyed viewing these photographs please click here and leave a comment or greeting on my guestbook.(Its a shame if you do not)

Please note that these photographs were taken on digital camera; images are compressed to aid speedy downloading and do not reflect the quality of final photographic prints.