Sivas to Trabzon - Day 27 - Tuesday 23rd September 2025 - Balkan-Georgia Trip - Day 27/34 - City 20/22 - country 9/11

Early morning bus

We got up really early, this time at 04:00, as our taxi was expected to arrive at 05:00. He didn't arrive, so I got the male receptionist to phone him using my own phone. He assured us he was on his way, and while we were waiting, the staff brought us Turkish tea and some bread rolls.

Sunrise

Yildiz, the friendly driver, came shortly and looked still half asleep as he drove us to the bus station. We waited in the dark of the early morning for our bus. Some hints of lighter blue were just showing on the horizon as we made our way across the mountains. As we drove, we experienced a beautiful sunrise sitting at the front of the bus. The sun revealed again the scorched brown mountainous landscape, but as we drove further north, it gradually got greener and greener.

Trabzon bus station

We arrived in Trabzon in the late afternoon. Again, we had to pass security even when getting off the bus. We quickly caught a taxi from the shiny new station to our hotel in the old city. The driver kept complaining about how bad the traffic was and eventually set us down right in front of the hotel. When we went inside, the receptionist was sleeping on the couch, but he quickly jumped to attention and checked us in, giving us a real key for a change.

Our street

The hotel itself was run-down and smelly, but we tried to rest for a bit. I tried to take a shower and actually did achieve it without flooding the room, as the toilet and shower were one, and the drain was on the other side of the bathroom beside the toilet, so I had created a mini swimming pool. I ended up using lots of towels just drying the floor.

Our new friends

We walked into the city and explored the market, where we met a friendly guy who insisted on having his photo taken. He used to live in London and had a lung operation and almost died. His claim to fame was that his ex-girlfriend was from Belfast.

Fresh produce

Outside, an older man decided to strike up a conversation with us. He was from Trabzon, just visiting from Istanbul, where he lives now.

Mosque

I had desperately wanted to catch the sunset at the seafront, but these friendly guys meant that I would skip it. However, we walked on the seafront anyway.

The Black Sea

Trabzon was not as impressive as I had hoped for, with no nice bars and restaurants or touristy things by the sea. I had already looked up a place to eat at the main square, so that is where we went. I had penne arrabbiata with a nice white wine.

Trabzon by night

We transferred to a pub close by where I had a few beers, and on the way home, I picked up some cold beers in a nearby shop.

#Trabzon #Turkey #Türkiye #Τραπεζούντα #ტრაპიზონი #Տրապիզոն #Sivas

In a word #Rundown