Batumi - Hopa - Rize

It didn't look like it the day before, but on Thursday afternoon (10.01.2019) there is still the possibility to leave for Batumi in the evening with a minibus. So I pack my belongings and leave with Nare and Dicken to the bus stop around seven o'clock. The hostel even provides us with a taxi for this. So we say goodbye around eight o'clock and start the nearly twelve-hour journey through the snowy little Caucasus. It's good that I have already become somewhat familiar with the driving style of the area...

After a short stop in Gyumri, we reach the border crossing at Bavra around midnight. Half an hour later, we have left both border posts behind us and can continue the journey in the marshrutka. We reach Batumi via Borjomi, Zestafoni, and Poti, finally arriving around half past seven in the morning. We leave the minibus not far from the city center. It is still dark, and I decide to visit the local McDonald's for a small breakfast and Wifi. Thanks to my local knowledge acquired last August, I find it quite quickly. It's getting light now, and a sunny day is breaking. After a short stay in the fast food temple, I find a minibus to the Turkish border, which we reach around half past ten. Unfortunately, on the Turkish side, there is no ATM in Sarp, so we have to walk the short distance to the next larger village. Walking along the highway that snakes along the Turkish Black Sea coast is not very pleasant. After a small lunch, we finally continue with a minibus from Kemalpaşa to Hopa. Here I take a walk around the city, get a coffee for free, and get some food for Dicken. Then we go to the only green area in the city. In the small park, I set up our tent during the twilight and can enjoy the sunset afterwards. However, because of the strong wind, I quickly retreat under the protective tarp.

On Saturday morning (12th January 2019), I pack up our stuff and then treat myself to a small breakfast in the city. Then I take a minibus to Arhavi. Even in the small town, I take a walk after being invited for tea upon arrival. Unfortunately, I can't find a bus that will take us further west, so I decide to go back to Hopa. Here, without any problems, I can arrange a trip to Rize at the bus station. I arrive there around four in the afternoon, organize some dinner for my four-legged companion and myself, take a walk along the city park, and scout out possible camping spots. I stop at a café right by the sea for two cups of tea and use the Wifi to contact my grandparents. Then, in the darkness, I set up my tent well hidden in the nearby park and can sleep undisturbed until the next morning.