Turkey

Sunday, October 25, 2015
Three Continents

On the ferry from Rhodes to Fethiye Jordine met from Australia. For several months she travels through Europe. We went to a restaurant together. Food is one of the most important things in the life of a cyclist. The Turkish kitchen is definitely one of my favorites. 4 years ago I was in Turkey for the last time and wondered how much has changed so far.

I only use street maps. It sometimes happens that I end up dying. This makes the journey even more interesting for me. I broke a new record. There was a small road on the coast. After 30km, 42 ° degrees and many climbs to the end of this route. I turned completely depressed. In a small mosque, some young men stopped me to give a sack of grapes.

During my remaining time in Turkey there were many similar invitations. The people of everyday life a piece to Cay (black tea with sugar) a. The hospitality in Turkey is (phenomenal?). One thing they still have to learn: how to build a road? The climbs are usually over 10% and the drivers use the horn for everything. After a while you get used to it.

I had a nice encounter 100 km from Antalya with two cyclists from Iran. Hamed and Hadi decided to cycle through Turkey for a few weeks. We had a nice chat and took some pictures. I told them about my trip to Iran and the great hospitality.

After 6 days I arrived in Antalya. A man stopped me at a bus stop. Alex runs a Languge School here in Antalya. He teaches 5 different languages and I do not remember. I was invited to his school. The students were very interested in my trip and asked me many questions. We arrived in Antalya the day before and visit the school in the evening.

Normally, the hot climate changes in mid-September. But this year it is completely different. The temperatures are still over 40 degrees. Jordine suggested visiting Termessos.

Termessos was a Pisidian city, which had a height of more than 1000 meters on the southwest side of the mountain Solymos (now Güllük Dagi) in the Taurus Mountains. The city was founded by the Solims, who lived in the Psidia region. Although you are aware of Termessos and Solims, Homer refers you to the legend of Bellerophon.

Joshia from England again. We had last seen each other in Pristina (Kosovo). I showed him the city and we spent most of the day philosophizing about cycling. He is now going north to Georgia.

Since 2013 there is no ferry from Antalya to Cyprus and no one can tell me if I am in Alanya. In 3 days I drove there and on the way I got into a big thunderstorm. It happened during the night. My sleeping bag got wet at 5 o'clock in the morning. When I faced my eyes, the whole park where I slept was flooded.

The people in Alanya told me that since last year no ferry leaves from here to Cyprus. The only connection to the island (400 km away). That was not good news for me.

I jumped back in the saddle to climb some Turkish hills. Fortunately, a Turkish tour cyclist overtook me the next morning. Bulut is cycling to Mersin. At the moment the Turks are celebrating Bayram.

Eid al-Adha, also known as Sacrifice or Bakr Eid, is the second of two religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year. There is the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son, as subjection to God's command, before God intervened through his angel Jibra'il and informed that his sacrifice had already been accepted. The meat of the sacrificed animal is preferably divided into three parts. The family is one third of the share; a second third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

Bulut invited me to ride his bike and stay in the sister house in Anamur. I could not resist such a nice offer. Bulut is 53 years old but still a very strong cyclist. His English was no better than my Turkish, but we find a way to communicate with each other. Cyclists share the same passion and do not need many words to speak. We spend a nice evening together with his family before i had to say goodbye. Thank you very much Bulut for the invitation!

Two days later, after 3 weeks and 800km i arrived in Tasucu very tired. I could buy a ticket for the ferry boat at the port. 12 hours later it was time to leave this nice country. The turkish people welcomed me every where here in the country and the hospitality is still amazing. I want all to thank, who invited me in these three weeks. Güle Güle Turkey!