Bit by bit, we continue our journey towards Georgia, taking a small detour through the Pontic Mountains. From Limni Gölü high up in the mountains, we continue south and soon cross the Pontic Mountains. Once on the south side, we drive via Bayburt (a pretty little town with a nice ice cream parlor by the river!) further east and visit the Baksi Museum in the middle of nowhere.
The Baksı Museum was founded in 2010 by artist and art educator Hüsamettin Koçan. The museum’s aim is to combine traditional Anatolian craftsmanship with contemporary art and to promote cultural dialogue between the past and the present. The name “Baksı” comes from the ancient Turkish language and refers to a shaman or healer – a reference to the cultural depth of the region. The privately initiated museum was built with great personal commitment and includes exhibition rooms, workshops, a conference center, and guest accommodations. We are incredibly lucky to meet Mr. Koçan himself in the café, who even gives us a short private tour of the workshops. What a happy coincidence and what an exciting person!
Passing Ispir, we head north again through the mountains and reach Kalkandere, a small village near our next destination, Rize. We are standing in the mountains above Kalkandere, right next to an impressive waterfall about 50 meters high and with a magnificent view of the almost tropical-looking, lush green mountains, whose steep slopes are covered with terraced tea plantations stretching as far as the eye can see.