Krushana Falls and Devetashka Cave, Bulgaria. Day 200 27th October 2018
As we arrived in the car park, the entrance to Krushana Falls there was a hubbub of restaurants and souveneir sellers, delicious smells of food cooking and coffee brewing. Passing all this by we walked on past a large square hotel that appeared plonked out of place in the natural landscape. Finally up into bush and the layers that form the falls.
The path is pleasantly busy with local couples and families wandering the paths. Several paths give the option of a short easy walk, or a longer steeper walk – guess? So up to the top we went, rewarded with a beautiful fall over moss covered rocks hiding a cave behind the veil of water.
The first layer of falls is a colour is a brilliant turquoise and the limestone terraces in almost perfect semi-circle give it a look of not-quite-real. (photo above)
Near the top Chris and Nadia discovered climbing bolts near a cave system, including ones secured on the roof of the cave entrance. No climbers today but close inspection of routes.
Our next stop seemed out into the middle of nowhere. Dry dusty landscape that seemed once to have been a happy tourist spot – with several shelters in disrepair. A fenced area was the only clue to the vertical cave, “Garvanitsa” Cave. What a climb down on floating metal stairs looking down, down, down. And a long way up as we stood on the bottom of the vertical cave looking around as a the narrow gap in the rock leading back to light.
Lunchtime at a restaurant in Karpachevo – a town that looked like one imagined a deserted wild-west town except the seemingly deserted buildings were buildings from communist times lining wide roads. In the centre a huge square with little activity. Lunch again simple and delicious – Chris was encouraged by the waitress to try Grandmas Meatballs proclaiming them excellent.
After lunch the exciting and much photographed Devetashka Cave. A huge cavernous cave system used for more than just nature – this included use as a movie set and a Communist weapon and tank storage. Both of which had left there mark on the cave. Large manmade excavations for military use – tank and helicopter storage. A film company fined for damage while filming
The cave was filled with people enjoying the beauty and accessibility of the cave. Despite having seen many photographs of the cave it was breath-taking in the flesh. The huge cavernous entrance with a tiny stream flowing through and light coming through the large holes above. The light had also enabled lush plant growth which added to the magical appearance.
Dinner booked at the highly, and frequently recommended Drakata restaurant. First a beer in the square – persuaded against our better judgement to go to the Irish Pub. No Irish beer available!
Our meal and wines – again selected by Nadia – were delicious. One of the starters selected as an accompaniment for the wine – warmed cheese with walnuts and honey. Eating was over a long period and as the night wore on it became a late night party night as we danced our way to a 1am finish! Enjoying also the traditional dancing, not from a dance troupe, but from local patrons aided by the excellent DJ.
