Along the coasts of Türkiye 2010

Another dream ride came a couple of weeks ago. Still recalling all the way up and down, with a smiley on face, still giving lots of thoughts on what for I went there and what I did.
I am happy in the end, ended up with joy and success despite the boiling sun. But, it was all worth it.
More than 3000 km in 11 days.
The route roughly...

This was the trip in depths of my mind. Aegean and Mediterranean has all flavours in them. From sandy beaches to hectic nightlife... From hospitable locals and villages to metropolitans... All mixed up.
It was way different than last year's Black Sea Rally.
Was it more tasty? Yes, to some extent, honestly.
I strongly recommend you the area.
Enough of words...
Sit down and relax. Hoping you'll enjoy it.

Go on Venturer i made allready 2 or 3 times same circuit as you planned. It was so tasty... Nice to see you on the road again and again... Waiting for your trip details and pics.

Subscribed! Have a good trip!

In may when we came back from Syria we rode on the following way: Iskenderun-Adana-Silifke-Antalya-Denizli-Canakkale. It was amazing. Between Silifke and Adana the road is curving on the edge of the mountain 80-100 m over the sea level. It remind me to Mallorca. Breathtaking. I would like to explore this area once again in the future.

Here are some photos: 2010 - Middle East - 15th day

Stay tuned Okan. The rest on the way.

You are dead right. So much to see in this country. Who knows, maybe next year we might xplore together.
Safe Rides.

Here we go again...
I set off very early in the morning but it was so foggy that I decided to sleep a bit more. When I woke up, it was clear and started the engine with a pray.

The route roughly as followed: from Tekirdağ to Kilitbahir (Lock for the Sea) at Gallipoli.
To cross to the Anatolian side, I took the ferry at Kilitbahir.
Kilitbahir (The lock for the Sea) is the fortress.

Another ferry is waiting. Bear in mind that this spot the closest to the other side.
There is a famous poem in memory of the WW I fights, which requests a traveller passing by to stop and think of the heroism
Wait, traveller...
The soil you tread...
Once witnessed the end of an era...

Almost on the other side,just in 10 mins.

Tourist Information:
Don't forget to visit Gallipoli (check out my signature)
And then from Çanakkale to İzmir lie scenic roads and add some must see sights, too.
In order: Troy and then to Assos (Behramkale) after that Pergamon.
Lots of speed traps (70km/h).
(PM me if you want Radar points)
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I didn't want to see Troy and Pergamon as I had been to these places many times before.
But ever wanted to see Assos. Let's see it again altogether.

Assos ( ancient name) Known as Behramkale today:
A statue of Aristotles welcomes you as you enter the ancient city.


Some History: Whatever the reason, Aristotle sailed for Assos in Asia Minor, where he lived for three years, developed his interest in anatomy and biology, and began work on his book the Politics. However, the Persians attacked and overran Assos in 345BCE, killing the king, and Aristotle left with his circle of philosophers, staying for a year in Mytilene on Lesbos (where he pursued his zoological investigations), before moving to Macedonia, and is said to have became tutor to Philip's son, Alexander.

The village on the way to the ruins:
All stony everywhere. Had trouble climbing up with MX boots,add boiling sun. One has to walk naked. Everybody is watching me.

Many houses were renovated to keep the area vivid but there are still many more to take care of.

Lots of tourists and they are so eager to see and touch everything.
Easy with shorts and Tees.

Locals selling lots of herbs and kinda stuff
Fresh Thyme.


Entering the ruins:
A large picture of what used to stand here once

Just to give brief information,these two pics will help

The ruins around. A fortress awaiting the city...


Still walking up to the temple.


Only very few columns left. Time is such a merciless, add us,too.

Speechless panorama after reaching the zenith. All my pains gone.
The Aegean

Then, I made my way down to my bike through the village,following another route.


Getting closer

Finally, I managed to find the bike.


Having left the village, I bumped in to this in the middle of a junction.
A tomb resting on the side of a main road

I had the pleasure of visiting Turkey a few years ago and found it an amazing country. I visited Istanbul and the resort town of Bodrum and love that even in a city as big and congested as Istanbul everyone I met was extremely kind, welcoming and I found they had a very solid sense of family.

And, of course, Bodrum was just amazing and fun.

To ride there, a dream I can't imagine.