The Black Sea - May 2007

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We stop for a picnic - beautifully laid out under the trees Wendy, as ever, talks to the locals - Pontic Azaleas - the Our hotel in Unye left much to be desired... ...but what a wonderful setting for breakfast!
Amasya to Ordu Amasya to Ordu Amasya to Ordu Unye Unye
         
An early morning view of the bay What a view! The Black Sea The 19th century Cathedral at Giresun - now a museum Tea is an important crop of the region.  This valley had many tea terraces
Unye Unye Unye Giresun Driving to Uzungol
         
We stop for another picnic.  Everyone helps to prepare it Barbara and Terry hard at work Doesn't it look good? Demir entertains himself whilst we get everything ready Food at last - we were very hungry!
Driving to Uzungol Driving to Uzungol Driving to Uzungol Driving to Uzungol Driving to Uzungol
         
Omer looks after the samovar Wendy makes friends again Uzungol - we set off for a walk up the valley Juliette braves the dam on the lake There is still snow on the mountains...
Driving to Uzungol Driving to Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol
         
...and the melt waters of the river run fast It is a dramatic landscape There were rather a lot of dead frogs which seemed to have been squashed crossing the road This one was on his way - we saw him safely across! The mountains catch the last of the sunlight
Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol
         
Our evening meal at the hotel It was Wendy's birthday We didn't ask how many! A birthday cake to celebrate! The view from my bedroom window
Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol
         
Early morning looking towards the settlement at the bottom of the lake It was a beautiful time of the day Later in the morning Verbascum Frog or toad?  Juliette says toad
Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol Uzungol
         
The Hapsiyas Koprusu Bridge was built in 1935 and is unique to the area It has recently been restored Hapsiyas Koprusu Bridge Sumela Monastery - the monastery can be seen precariously perched on the rock face It is often bathed in cloud.  The aqueduct is barely visible
Hapsiyas Koprusu Bridge Hapsiyas Koprusu Bridge Hapsiyas Koprusu Bridge Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery
         
The staircase leading to the entrance of the Greek Orthodox monastery Sumela means The main religious buildings of the monastery are sheltered from the weather by the overhanging rock above The monastery was evacuated in 1923 following the population exchange agreed between Greece and Turkey.
Shortly afterwards the buildings were destroyed by fire The inner and outer walls of the rock chapel are decorated with frescoes.  Sadly these have suffered greatly from
vandalism
Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery
         
but are still an amazing sight Not all the grafitti is recent The frescoes on the roof of the chapel have survived in a better condition The Rock Chapel, Sumela The Rock Chapel, Sumela
Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery
         
Other administrative buildings Looking up from the courtyard to the entrance The cloud had lifted by the time we left and the aqueduct is more visible Ataturk Kosku - built by a Greek banking family and abandoned in the 1923 exchange of population, it was
presented to Ataturk by the city of Trabzon.  He only stayed here 3 times.
Ataturk Kosku - tea in the garden of the mansion.  Everyone looks rather weary!
Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery Ataturk Kosku Ataturk Kosku
         
Breakfast on the terrace of our hotel in Trabzon Trabzon - Haghia Sophia, a late Byzantine monastic church Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Haghia Sophia - the south porch of the church with its Armenian style frieze The 15th century bell tower of Haghia Sophia.  There are frescoes inside
Trabzon Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia
         
The interior of the church has many frescoes The central dome is supported by a square of four columns The fresco in the dome is badly damaged but is still a fine sight The wedding at Cana in the narthex on the west side of the church The centre of the narthex - Tetramorphs (the four Evangelists) and a seraphim - I'm not sure that I can work this one out!
Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia
         
Wendy finds the best angle for her photograph I do the same, but am not much the wiser! A welcome glass of cay in the gardens Trabzon - Cathedral of Chrysokephalos - the Golden Haired Virgin Now the Ortahisar Camii or chief mosque of Trabzon, the building dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and
was once an important church of the Comneni dynasty
Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Haghia Sophia Trabzon - Cathedral of Chrysokephalos Trabzon - Cathedral of Chrysokephalos
         
The frescoes have been whitewashed.  The original gold of the dome, which gives the name The mihrab and the traditional round-bellied clock found in many mosques. Hoca Memet sings from the Koran for us Modern Trabzon Trabzon Museum - this bronze statue intrigued us as to its origin and date.  The head,
which probably does not belong to the body, looks Roman and the body looks classical Greek!
Trabzon - Cathedral of Chrysokephalos Trabzon - Cathedral of Chrysokephalos Trabzon - Cathedral of Chrysokephalos Trabzon Trabzon Museum
         
Street market in Trabzon Our last day and we are free to roam.  We brave a local cafe and have a good lunch despite our lack of Turkish A final glass of cay Gill opens her presents... ...whilst we all look on
Trabzon Trabzon Trabzon Trabzon Trabzon
         
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