Istanbul, Turkey to Amasra, Turkey

We were up early this morning.  Turkish breakfast on the roof again and then loaded up the backpacks for the walk down to Eminonu.  From here we catch the ferry to Harem, on the Asian side of Istanbul.  The 20 minute ride drops us straight at the bus station and within minutes people have helped us purchase tickets to Amasra.  There is about a 45 minute wait for the next bus.  The bus ride is uneventful – I slept most of the way.  The bus dropped us off at Bartin, where we caught a local dolmus for the 20 kilometer ride into Amasra.  The windy mountain road made for a hair-raising ride. 

On arrival we were greeted by a local, Yilmaz, who offered us a room in his cousin’s pension.  Her apartment was one road back from the main harbor and was only going to cost us £8 per night.  Sold!  We went out for a walk once our bags were down.  We walked around the harbor and along the pier. 

On our return we stopped at a restaurant, Balikcinin Yeri, which was owned by another of Yilmaz’s cousins, and had dinner there.  I had fish, while Amy had an amazing salad.  Yilmaz sat with us and told us that he grew up in Amasra and loved meeting tourists, hence learning English.  He plans one day to go to Australia. 

After dinner Amy and I headed back to the pension and for a night of rest.  It was a hard day on the bus and it makes us tired.