Ketchup on Pizza.............but first the Black Sea Coast

Merhaba everyone,

The Sultan has finally left us both and we are happy to report that we are feeling much better now.  Where to begin.........right this may be a little long, we have done a tonne in the past week.  We drove from Istanbul to Amasra, then on to Sinop and then Macka, staying a couple of nights in each area.  The drive along the Coast was incredible....stunning.   Each drive between the locations we were staying was anywhere between 7 and 9 hours but it was worth it.  We had winding local roads, highways, construction, cows, locals, tractors, donkeys, sheep and amazing views along the way.  We both admitted it was similar to areas back home but still some of the most beautiful country we have seen.

Amasra
A low key port and tourist destination for Turks and the first substantial stop along the Black Sea Coast from Istanbul.  International tourists seem to be uncommon but we still felt welcomed by the locals.  It was a welcome quiet change from the busy, bustling streets of Istanbul.  Amy and I ate some incredible fish (Balik), drank wine and relaxed and unwound.

Sinop
A little busier than Amasra.  Sinop was bustling with Turkish tourists and locals.  It seemed to really come alive at night.  We noticed it seemed to be a place to hang out, drink and party a bit.  The music ran through a good portion of the night.

Macka (Sumela Monastery)
This has to be the highlight of the Back Sea.  We actually stayed just outside of  Macka at a hotel near the small village of Cosandere.  Our hotel was just down the road from the highlight we are speaking of - the Sumela Monastery.  The Greek Orthodox "Monastery of the Virgin Mary" is an awe inspiring Monastery built into the side of a mountain.  It was originally founded by Greek Monks in the 5th Century.  Instead of rambling on about it, I have posted a picture below of a plaque which explained the history if anyone wants to read it.  I would have to say though the highlight of this place is the main Chapel which was carved into the rock.  It boasts amazing frescoes all over the inside and out some dating back as far as the 9th Century but most date to the 19th.  What's terrible is the frescoes have been defaced over the years by bored shepard boys who used them as targets for there catapults/slingshots and Russian tourists and US Army grunts (1965 vintage) whom have scratched their names into them (thanks Lonely Planet for this fact tid bit!).
All in all the Black Sea has been an amazing experience.  We loved the sights, people and food.  Enjoy the pics below.

Lamy
(P.S.  I'll explain the Ketchup on Pizza in the next post.)

                                                      Shot of Amasra from our hotel room

                                                         Shot of one of the bays in Amasra

                                                        Amasra along one of the bays.

                                     Winding down one of the mountain roads on our way to Sinop

 The Hyundai Accent!!!  This thing is great except when we try to pass someone. But it did manage to get us to the top of this mountain......

                                                             Boat Yard at Sinop

Shot of Sinop from our hotel room

                                             Amy making the 1km hike up to the Monastery

                                         A shot of the entrance going up the stairs on the left

                              This is the plaque located outside the Monastery explaining its history

                                             Amy at the entrance to the Monastery Courtyard

                                                 A couple of shots of the courtyard.

                                               Frescoes found on the outside of the chapel.

                                              The frescoes followed the contours of the rock

 A shot to show that most of the faces of the frescoes we noticed were scratched out.............

                                         Amy admiring the Frescoes inside the cavern (Chapel)

                                          Fresco of the Virgin Mary inside the main chapel

                                        A look in the opposite direction back toward the entrance.

                                                              Losers..heheheheheh

                                                            Another of the inner courtyard

                              Couple shots of the Monastery from different viewpoints along the way.