Cruising the Black Sea

A cabin with seaview, three meals a day, sunshine, an endless sea and a freight ship called 'Drujba' (means friendship), what did we want more? Well, there was more: At the port of Burgas we met Tural from Azerbaijan who has been cycling all around the world and whose contact we received from Bojan in Negotin. We shared a cabin, of course, and his stories are just amazing. We experienced the crazy truck drivers acting out a solid drinking culture and participated by investing the rest of our Bulgarian money in beer, longdrinks and Schnaps. Gagimardschos!

Several cute, playful dolphins were guiding us and the beautiful skyline of Batumi with the majestic Caucasus Mountains behind welcomed us to Georgia.

Heavy spasms in both legs after almost one week without cycling? Hauke almost had to call a taxi for the 3km from the ship to the hostel, but we made it. After quickly checking in our room, we saw the three of us heading towards the next Georgian restaurant with a thrill of anticipation. To say it with Turals words: "This is the moment I've been waiting for more than two years!" (Although he could have gone directly from Azerbaijan to Georgia instead of round the world.) But since we tried our first Khinkali with him we absolutely understand his feelings about this delicious, delicious Georgian specialty, jammy! Combined with Georgian wine and Chacha, even better.

Batumi looks really impressing and has obviously done a lot for tourists with a well maintained, palm-lined promenade, casinos, clubs and hotels but we were eager to discover the real Georgia and left the next morning to climb the Caucasus Mountains.

We said goodbye to Tural who would chose a more straight forward route on his way home and promised to meet in Gori, Tbilisi and in his hometown Baku, for sure. See you there, then!Read more