30 August, Giresun
Otel Ormancilar 80TL (breakfast included) (down from 120TL)
We spent an additional night in Giresun
because our hotel bathroom was so super, especially compared to our Tirebolu
bathroom which smelt so bad it kept me awake at night! There has been a city at
Giresun for 3000 years. Lonely Planet: “The city is credited with introducing
cherries to Italy, and from there to the rest of the world. The name Giresun
comes from the Greek for cherry. Now the humble hazelnut (fındık) drives Giresun’s
economy, and the area has Turkey’s finest plantations.” From our hotel window,
the city appeared unattractive, but at street level it proved a pleasure.
Beautiful shops selling everything from bikinis to hazelnut chocolates on a pedestrian-only
street; flower beds and statues and mosques; modern hotels and fish
restaurants; the Black Sea. I treated myself to a facial, my first in four
months. An hour later I was in desperate need of a drink! Instead of soft
lights and music and pampering, I was subjected to loud pop music, lighting
bright enough to conduct an autopsy, and two loud-voiced, arguing women who
completely stressed me out. A lazy afternoon and excellent fish meal restored
my spirits.
Giresun
Giresun
Giresun
Giresun
Giresun - hazelnut shop