And now we’re heading into the next bottleneck, the Hellespont, or in today’s parlance, the Dardanelles. A historic and legendary area, where the love story of Hero and Leander is set… Strong currents do indeed regularly test shipping here, but I don’t notice anything. The ArgoFram rushes under a truly enormous suspension bridge, around 3,600 metres long, with towering supports on both sides spanning the strait between Europe and Asia. I want to visit Troy – Çanakkale is the nearest port, so this is where I moor.
I reported on Troy on Instagram – it’s very impressive! There is also a lot to experience in modern Çanakkale; I met Emel at the harbour, who has time and is keen to show me her city and guide me through the culinary world here, where I can sample the best restaurants (places that tourists don’t easily find). We also travelled through the Dardanelles on a powerful ferry to the European side. It is much quieter here, less inhabited, and the landscape is much more impressive. – Emel makes short films about preparing delicious dishes and treats, as well as about women’s issues (https://www.instagram.com/emilymutfakta?igsh=djkxMnNqMnc5Zmlubetreibt), and she shoots daily vlogs on YouTube. She is a confident woman and has a large audience. Similar to Svetlana from Cherepovets in Russia (see 30 May 2023) – exciting, simply exciting, enlightening and impressive, the worlds I find myself in thanks to these chance encounters!