February 4th, 2007 | categorizilation: all categories,Turkey
My bike safely stored inside my tent which sat on the marina all day, I wandered aimlessly the streets of Amasra.
First stop was the local Museum. What a treasure trove. I shuffled around in a daze, trying to take in the reality that the things I was looking at were over 1,000 years old. Roman statues, other stone work, coins…
   
   
For all the dirt on Amasra, read about it on Wikipedia (article here). It has a fascinating history, one that I was not expecting here in Turkey.
I later wandered up the hill on an island connected to Amasra by an ancient stone bridge that makes up part of the Amasra castle/fortress.
The views from the top of the island were good enough for the cloudy conditions.
Amasra nowadays is a haven for tourists. There is a large city nearby (Bartin), so Amasra kind of reminded me of Akaroa in New Zealand. A popular place for city dwellers to come on a weekend. The town was fairly deserted however, and according to the locals it is understandably more lively during the summer months.
Tomorrow I face the hills once again and head in the general direction of Zonguldak City.
You mention Akaroa and my memories went back to the week, my wife and I spent at the base of Mt. Bossu on a farm stay. One of the very best vacations we had was New Zealand in 1990.
Eager to continue on with you in Turkey. Great scenery but not exactly conducive to pleasant cycling, with the weather and the brutal hills. Take care.
Cornell in Canada
Hey Jollynut!
Oh, I see, you like history. As a matter of fact, this is the beginning of an area full of history which is called EUROPE and you just entered its realm. You will see a lot more that will blow your mind, for example the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and lots of historical sites in Greece .
And if you would decide to cycle historical Italy rather than Croatia, you would have the chance to experience 2700 years of history at the source.
You HAVE to go to Rome and you have a look at the Colosseum and the Vatican:-)
If you miss that country this time on your tour, you don't know under which circumstances you will have a second chance to see Italy the first time.
I know that I might bore you with my routine, because you chose the Croatian route, but with your visit to the museum and the experience to have a look at the real stuff you might understand what I mean when I propose to change the route to Italy and go to visit Pompeii and other historical sites like that.
You would never be sorry about this decision AND the "Original Italian FOOD" is so fantastic, you will never leave Italy, after you experienced that. And another reason to go for Italy are the superb coffee shops. Mmmhhh oishii!
Well you see, I am pathetic about that. But basically I hope that you will have a good and save time heading for Istanbul.
Keep warm, keep dry and have fun! Cheers Akimoto
Hehe, someone once said, "The trouble with eating Italian food is that, four of five days later, you're hungry again." Sounds like that might be just the ticket 
I'm sure wherever you go will be mind-boggling. Croatia would have its own unforgettable elements.
AWESOME photo with the cow. All class.
You're doing well to keep at it with so much steepness… that photo may not have done it justice but certainly does communicate some of it! Crazy. Hmmm, maybe you'll have to take the bike down to Baldwin St once you get back here, just for the memories of steepness :-/ I wonder if anyone's every cycled up it on a recumbent before…
It's difficult to imagine all that history when you come from New Zealand! We are proud if something is over 100 years old. Where you are, that's modern!
Good stuff Rob.. Suck it all in as the journeys end is drawing closer……
Pizza does sound good… but I think they do a great fish pie in Croatia.
Roman remains are over 2000 years old. Remember the Romans were in charge of Palestine at the time of Christ!!
Ben karadeniz pideden ayhan iyi yolculukları dilerim yolun açık olsun…
The Black Sea cost sounds a lot like some parts of Greece where:
A
You ride into a small pretty village on the coast. The road follows the waterfront with the waves almost slopping over. When you leave the village the road starts bending like a snake in pain and climbs several hundred feet up to the top of the headland. Then it dives down into the next little cove where..
Repeate from A above. Innumerable times until nightfall comes and releaves you of your agony.
So, beware of Greece.
Looks an interesting place. Hills not quite the same as around Akaroa. Amasra looks a lot larger than Akaroa too.
Hey Rob,
What's since feb 4th? Is all good?
I'm very admiring about you, your travel is realy great!!
BULK REPLY:
Cornell, great to hear that you made it to Akaroa! Great place, aye?
Akimoto, I will be going the Croatia route, but surely there is some history in the north of Italy?
Lee, Baldwin Street is so on my list.
Rob, cheers. I tried a while back to post a comment on your site, but it wasn't cooperating. Your journey is amazing, man. Legendary.
Ayhan, Tessekur!
Mike, Greece sounds like fun then! Ahem…
JP, all is well!
