Day 34. Corum - Giresun
Woke up to a cloudy day and as we packed up the bike it began to rain. So on with the wet gear. It got heavier and heavier as we moved into the hills and by the time we got into them it was torrential, thunder and lightening the works. This carried in for 200km. We left the hills and popped out to get our first glimpse of the Black Sea. Pulled in for a coffee and break and steeled ourselves for the remaining 150km.
Quite industrial around Samsun but the weather looked promising ahead and as the towns became more pleasant, so did the weather. Quite a sight the Black Sea and obviously a go to destination. All the towns are apartments and shops and are on a narrow band of land between the sea and a large and steep hilly range. The hills are lush and thick with vegetation suggesting a warm climate and reasonable rainfall.
We arrived at our destination Giresun and Tomtom tried to take us to the hotel, firstly a bus cut me off and forced me to take the wrong road, then its a series of narrow lanes which are very steep and full of pedestrians.
By now its 29 degrees, we still have our damp wets on. Starting to sweat just a little. Pulled up outside a bakery and Robyn went for a wander to find the hotel. Turns out it was in a pedestrian only mall. Tomtom was spot on but I just couldn’t ride there. People are so kind here, the man in the bakery came out with a thumbs up for the bike and bottle if cold water for me.
Our gear kept us a dry as you can expect on a motorcycle is such conditions.
Big ups to Paul at Courtesy Motorcycles for suggesting the Continental tyres, they have been awesome in these conditions.
Went for a bit of a wander and decided a coffee was in order. Nek minut. (See photo) calorie budget blown........again!
Very nice place this, lovely friendly atmosphere with everyone all around happy and relaxed, or so it seems to me.
Quite industrial around Samsun but the weather looked promising ahead and as the towns became more pleasant, so did the weather. Quite a sight the Black Sea and obviously a go to destination. All the towns are apartments and shops and are on a narrow band of land between the sea and a large and steep hilly range. The hills are lush and thick with vegetation suggesting a warm climate and reasonable rainfall.
We arrived at our destination Giresun and Tomtom tried to take us to the hotel, firstly a bus cut me off and forced me to take the wrong road, then its a series of narrow lanes which are very steep and full of pedestrians.
By now its 29 degrees, we still have our damp wets on. Starting to sweat just a little. Pulled up outside a bakery and Robyn went for a wander to find the hotel. Turns out it was in a pedestrian only mall. Tomtom was spot on but I just couldn’t ride there. People are so kind here, the man in the bakery came out with a thumbs up for the bike and bottle if cold water for me.
Our gear kept us a dry as you can expect on a motorcycle is such conditions.
Big ups to Paul at Courtesy Motorcycles for suggesting the Continental tyres, they have been awesome in these conditions.
Went for a bit of a wander and decided a coffee was in order. Nek minut. (See photo) calorie budget blown........again!
Very nice place this, lovely friendly atmosphere with everyone all around happy and relaxed, or so it seems to me.
A green and wet time of year perhaps. Very dry when we were near there - we caught the boat to Trabzon (from Istanbul) and from there onto Ani, a wonderful ruined medieval Armenian city. Not sure if that's on your route. We also saw Mt Ararat from Doğubeyazıt (another lovely walled city if I remember correctly...) - Lake Van is cool also (Kurdish land). So many places to see in this world - love it. The Turks are one of the friendliest people I have met. Great blog - keep it up you two :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rick. Details yet to be decided. Situation fluid as you can imagine. Keeps us in our toes!
DeleteJust lovely reading your blog. You are a topic of conversation at any gatherings. We are impressed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. Glad you’re enjoying it.
DeleteAlways a good time to have a coffee and sugar, looking good Robyn.
ReplyDelete