How the kids entered Balchik Palace & Botanical Gardens

My baby-face has always been somewhat of a “problem” to me. Although I am close to the age of 24, I still can’t buy a glass of wine at a cafe, or a beer in a supermarket without being asked for my ID. Not so long ago, the check-in guy at the airport asked my boyfriend if he had the legal document to prove that both my parents agreed that he could take me, the under-aged girlfriend, out of the country. After they realize that I’m not under 18, I usually get an apologetic grim along with the words: “Don’t worry, when you’ll be 40, you’ll look 30!” Which means that I look like I’m 14 years of age now (yay!).

Some of you know that I participated in a few info-trips this Spring, three to be more exact, which is kind of a press-trip from a travel agent’s point of view. In all three trips I proved to be the youngest and shortest participant (don’t forget I’m 1,58 meters!) – try to be taken seriously with a baby-face too!

Anyways, it was around our third trip when everybody just assumed that I was someone else’s kid who just came for the excursions that I decided to take action. But instead of bitching about it, I decided to turn it to my advantage. We had an hour and a half to visit Queen Marie’s Palace & the Botanical Gardens of Balchik. As we came close to the entrance and saw that there were two ticket counters (one for the gardens and the other for the palace), I had a wicked thought.. Can I get in with a kid’s pass?

Entrance to the Botanical Gardens of Balchik

Entrance to the Botanical Gardens of Balchik

I immediately pitched the idea to my dear friend, who is baby-faced as myself, but even shorter and two years older, who instantly stood in line for tickets with a big grin on her face. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t the 12 Bulgarian Levs (~6 euros, ~7.5 dollars), but the curiosity in me that made me try for children tickets.

And it turned out, it was a piece of cake. I never would’ve believed it, but the lady standing at the ticket counter didn’t even blink twice as she handed us our tickets. There was no doubt in her mind that we were under 18. We left laughing, and in somewhat of a shock, firstly because of the incident, and after that because of the surroundings.

Botanical Gardens of Balchik

Botanical Gardens of Balchik

The summer residence and the gardens were stunning. I especially loved the Palace’s architectural style and placement (it was right on the beautiful golden sand beach). With the pass you can get inside and look around the rooms filled with expensive furniture and art.

Palace of Balchik

Palace of Balchik

Palace of Balchik

Palace of Balchik

Palace of Balchik

Palace of Balchik

We didn’t get to see too much of the gardens because our 1,5 hours went by quickly, but I’ll leave you with these photos and the lesson that you can turn even the most annoying personal quality into something worth smiling about.

Botanical Gardens of Balchik

Botanical Gardens of Balchik

Botanical Gardens of Balchik

Botanical Gardens of Balchik

Botanical Gardens of Balchik

Botanical Gardens of Balchik

So tell me, do you have any similar experiences on turning something irritating into something beneficial, or a thing to laugh about? 🙂

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