(^40) Being situated at the extreme northern point of the Black Sea’s Turkish side, Sinop
was always vulnerable to attacks from across the water. The half-moon Pasha
Bastion was constructed during the Crimean War in 1853 to protect the city against
such attacks. Much older was the Sinop Fortress dating to the 8th century BC.
Turkey’s history never failed to amaze me!
Sinop - Bafra – 115 kilometres
The last thing I felt like doing was emerging from my cosy room and getting on the
bike, as outside the weather remained overcast and icy. However, the wind was in
our favour, and the hills were not as fierce as the previous days. So, we used the
favourable conditions and kept going until Bafra where tenting was in a friendly
farmer’s yard. That night Ernest cooked pasta with soy mince smothered in
mayonnaise, a favourite at the time.
Bafra - Terme (via Samsun) - 125 kilometres
To our dismay, the wind direction swung a full 180 degrees during the night. Luckily,
the day consisted mostly of flat riding of which good use was made. A Carrefour
supermarket in Samsun made for stocking up on all items needed. As the day drew
to a close, we pitched the tents in a picnic area under well-established pine trees, as
always, along the shores of the amazing Black Sea.
There are many fantastic facts about the Black Sea. One is that the water level
remains unchanged due to the lack of high or low tides. This lack of movement has
brought about many unique features, including a high level of minerals and salt,
making nearly all objects float.
leana
(Leana)
#1