Bulgaria (14 to 7 days before the world trip)

Before the big trip, I (Ann Katirn) spent a week on an all-inclusive vacation with my grandmother and my two sisters. Grandma had wished for it and the fact that it was actually the Sunny Beach was somewhat surprising, as you usually meet party (aka booze) tourists there ;-)

The start was already exciting, because we flew from Münster Airport. If you have never been to Münster Airport - it's not worth it that much. There is more staff than passengers and because of the high ceilings, you are inclined to whisper so as not to disturb anyone :D The security staff chatted happily with us at the security check-in and pulled each of the four of us (we were the only people at the entire security check, a stark contrast to the security check at an airport like Düsseldorf^^) for something. They searched my luggage for drug residue and well, what can I say. They found nothing. After the security check, there are exactly two shops. A junk shop with snacks, books, clothes, etc. and a bakery. Both have ridiculously high prices, so Lissi and I made do with the Zootier butter cookies we brought with us. Like in the old days^^

We were way too early at the airport and also too early at the gate, but at least we were able to witness a near-fight, in which three policemen, who were actually conducting the passport control, had to intervene :O But that was pretty much the only thing that happened in the two hours until departure. On the plane, the first disappointment for Grandma - there are no free drinks or food on the plane. Those times are over^^

When we arrived in Bulgaria, our first adventure awaited us, a 1.5-hour drive to the hotel. Our driver generally drove above the speed limit, constantly overtook other cars in no-passing zones and before curves, and if the car in front was too slow, we drove up to within 2 meters of it to "motivate" it. In the end, we all arrived safely at the hotel :) Thanks to the all-inclusive package, there was also a snack at 1:30 a.m., the first meal for Grandma since breakfast :O

Our hotel was really cool. The room was stylish, the food delicious, and we spent every day by the pool since Grandma couldn't walk on the sand with her hip, so we ruled out the beach. But that was totally okay, because besides the "alcohol" and "party" theme, mass tourism at Sunny Beach is emphasized. Even if it's maybe not so suitable for us girls to take such a package vacation anymore, it was totally okay for me personally. You can just be very lazy and for Grandma, it was perfect anyway :)

Our daily routine was the same every day^^

7:30 - 8:00 a.m .: Wake up

8:00 a.m .: Breakfast

8:45 a.m .: Getting ready for the pool

9:00 a.m .: Swimming in the pool before the children with their inflatable mattresses arrive

10:00 a.m .: Club dance with the animators Yani, Pety, Moni, and Nessi ("Sandra Potami al mare" or something)

10:15 a.m .: Nici does morning gymnastics and Lissi, Grandma, and I relax

10:18 a.m .: We have to open and move the umbrellas because it's getting too hot

10:45 a.m .: Darts

11:15-11:45 a.m .: Aqua aerobics

12:00 p.m .: Action game (various party games)

12:30 p.m .: Lunch

1:00-2:55 p.m .: Trying not to get sunburned and sleeping

3:00 p.m .: Water polo (mostly, but not always. It was okay to watch too. It's so exhausting :p)

3:30-4:00 p.m .: Relaxing or pool

4:00-5:00 p.m .: Playing bocce or Sjoebak

5:00-6:00 p.m .: Showering

6:00 p.m .: Dinner

7:00-7:30/8:00 p.m .: Nici, Lissi, and I go for a "walk"

from 8 p.m .: Playing cards

9:30 p.m .: Watching the entertainment program and then sleeping

That sounds boring at first, but it was still a great vacation, especially with the background that we could spend time together again before I leave soon :) It was also great for Grandma to know what we are doing when and well, it was totally okay for a week.

In the meantime, I often thought about how different my way of traveling will be soon and wondered if I wouldn't also wish for such a package vacation after a few months. Jonas and I want to keep that option open, to stay in a beautiful place for longer than a week, to "recharge".

We will find our way there and vacation with the family as adults is just not the same as with a partner or friends. However, I can understand if someone chooses these package vacations. They are convenient and if, like us, you have a desire for an entertainment program, it won't get boring to spend several days only by the pool :)

When we flew back, I started making the packing list for the world trip on the plane and oh my god, I have no idea if all of this will fit in our backpacks :D :D