Gülek Castle

Hello,

Last Sunday I rode to Gülek Castle from Adana with ABIT cycling team. One of our friend was going to Çanakkale, we wanted to keep company him and visit the Gülek Castle on his way.

I woke up at 6.30 am, after preparation I was on the road at 7.40 am.

Orhan on the way to Çanakkale

Cycling on D750

We bought an orange and ate them on next of the road.

While waiting for the rest of the group, we met a landowner. He told us he was a retired solicitor, he worked 20 years in Tarsus. After his retirement, he bought vineyard from there. He grows grapes for a hobby. A peaceful place to live for him.

Stopped for lunch, after the lunch see of Orhan to Çanakkale 

Small descends before big climbs

We turned to castle way

And it started hailing...

We never gave up

View from west of the castle

Finally, we made it to the entrance of the castle

View from north of the castle

View of Gülek Pass

Happy and wet cyclists

I didn't stop for taking more pictures, because it was cold, wet and it was going to be dark. I split from the group in Tarsus and took a train ride to Adana. My team came back all the way back.

Here is my strava link of the ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/2189067251

See you in next episode :)

Porto

Hello,

I had an opportunity to visit Porto and Braga during internship. I stayed three days in Porto, a day in Braga.

I hitchhiked from Coimbra to Porto. I wait about a hour to picked up from highway ramp on Rua Bento de Jesus Caraça. Driver took me to next of the Rotunda da Boavista.

Rotunda da Boavista, also known as the Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque, is a large roundabout in Porto

The statue is dedicated to the heroes of the Peninsular War (1808-1814): at the top the Lion (symbol of the alliance between Portuguese and British forces) smashes the Eagle (symbol of the French troops), it symbolizes the tough resistance of Portuguese and British troops and population to the invasion of French general Soult in Porto.

At the bottom the Ponte das Barcas is portrayed, it is related to a catastrophe that occured during the French invasion, when thousands of victims died in 29th March 1809.

Praça de Carlos Alberto

For centuries the city's blacksmith were concentrated in the Praça de Carlos Alberto. A palace was built on the east side in the 18th century and it later became an inn. King Carlos Alberto of Sardinia lived there when he came Porto in exile in 1849. The square was given its present name in his honour. In middle of the garden there is a memorial to Portuguese who fell in the WWI

Rua de Cedofeita 

Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas

Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas look like the a church in the city. In fact, they are two churches separated by one of the world’s narrowest houses. This house was built to make all contact between the nuns and the monks impossible. If you look closely, you’ll find Carmo Church (on the right) and Carmelitas Church (on the left)

Carmo Church was built in the 18th century and is an amazing example of the baroque architecture. Outside, you will find a magnificent panel of blue and white tiles, representing the Brown Scapular imposition on Mount Carmel. The panel is rich in details, perspective and color and was designed by Silvestro Silvestri.

Interior of Igreja do Carmo

On the Carmo church interior you’ll find a rich baroque and rococo style with gilded woodcarving.

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Figueira da Foz

Hello,

Today I visit Figueira da Foz. It is nice seaside city, located at 45 km east of Coimbra. I went there by train, one way fare is €2.70 and it takes a hour.After twenty minute walk, I arrived to Claridade Beach.

Unluckily, I didn't check weather reports for Figueira da Foz, when I arrive there, it was around 20º and foggy.

Beach and water was clean. I didn't hesitate to swim in cold water of Atlantic Ocean.

After swimming I was too cold, I wanted to walk on path. It is nice to have bicyle line <3

After I took shower and get dried, sun began shine but it was late.

I decided to explore the city before leaving, it is one of the beautiful landscape

Train station of Figueira da Foz, end of the trip.