Travelling from Borçka to Efeler village / Demirli

On this evening we drove all the way from Borçka (approx. 100m above sea level) direction northeast to our pension at Efeler village / Demirli, maybe the most adventurous part of the whole tour. Approx. 55 kilometers through the mountains at the Georgian border, with snow at the mountain pass (approx. 1800m above sea level), the end of the Vodafone TR network and gravel only roads ...

Passing the second large dam (Borçka)

We are passing Borçka with its dam and power plant, see this Wikipedia article for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bor%C3%A7ka_Dam

My Location@17:37,7/11 Hopa Artvin Yolu, Borçka/Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/Qke02h

Short hike in the forest (Artvin Kent Ormanı)

Nice dense, green forest (called "Artvin Kent Ormanı" according to Google Maps)! Several short hiking pathes are available.

My Location@16:29,7/11 Balcıoğlu Mh., Kafkasör Yolu, 08000 Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/Rv6pJa

 

 

Great view down to Artvin

Having descended to 280 m above sea level at the river  Çoruh in Artvin, we have climbed up again to 1250 m to reach this nice viewpoint west of Artvin.

From the viewpoint, several pathes for short hikes depart.

My Location@15:31,7/11 Balcıoğlu Mh., Kafkasör Yolu, 08000 Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/dEw7Y0

 

Panorama lunch with great view to the Çoruh River valley

My Location@14:11,7/11 Artvin Ardahan Yolu, Salkımlı/Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/Qwjjzn

Dam Deriner

Technically, this dam construction can only be described as impressive. Details can be found in the following Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deriner_Dam

My Location@13:36,7/11 Artvin Ardahan Yolu, Salkımlı/Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/dMvzdz

  

View to the valley and artificial lake (Çoruh River)

We are entering the valley of the Çoruh River and will see one artificial dam and lake after the other ... an ambivalent impression

See the following Wikipedia article about Çoruh River: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%87oruh_River

My Location@13:11,7/11 Artvin Ardahan Yolu, Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/QEK83z

New water reservoir in construction

The valley that we are passing through is undergoing severe construction activities as a preparation to be flooded soon. Mixed feelings accompany us with this level of impact to that (formerly) beautiful valley.

My Location@12:58,7/11 Artvin Ardahan Yolu, Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/RnbDWO

Roadside stop ...

... having grilled and cooked corn as a snack!

We are passing through an impressive canyon and getting closer to one of Turkey's focus areas for artificial dam projects for electricity production.

View to Şafşat castle

My Location@11:48,7/11 Artvin Ardahan Yolu, Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/Ru9jjX

 

"Tibeti" church ruin

Ruin in pretty bad state unfortunately.

See information on the photographed information sign in English.

My Location@11:16,7/11 Cevizli/Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/QOHgDK

 

Karagöl - "black lake"

Don't get confused, there are many "black lakes" around here, it is not a unique name for this lake specifically!
It is a beautiful spot though, rich flora and fauna in and around the lake. Nice as well for a short hike (it only takes 20 minutes to get around the lake!)


My Location@09:20,7/11 Şavşat, Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/Ri7gbG

Two short videos taken on the way from the pension to this "black lake":

Panoramic view, location near to Laset pension

My Location@08:03,7/11 Artvin Ardahan Yolu, Yavuzköy/Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/QBbMeC

 

Breakfast at Laset pension!!

With a nice omlette, fresh honey and fruit!

Good morning!

The sun has risen, a beautiful day seems to start. The huts are very good in this pension ("Laset", near Kocabey village - see yesterday's post for more details)! Looking forward to the breakfast!!

My Location@06:36,7/11 Artvin Ardahan Yolu, Artvin Province, Turkey http://m.google.com/u/m/zNnsDq