James scribing – for a change! Lake Burdur was our place of wild camping last night – well not at the lake – too hot and no shade – so a nearby forest are with lots of shade. We had eaten at the lake – just relaxing wine at the site…
Morning up earlyish – sadly lots of rubbish left by the people barbecuing last night. K did some litter picking – she did lots of clothes washing – our old twin tub half working (spinner only) but showing its age – it doesn’t owe us anything. Before leaving, we completed the Motorhomers ideal – fresh water, empty wc and empty grey waste! We also showered ourselves… On the road continuing our travels in Turkey’s Lake District – nothing like Cumbria but quite impressive – clouds in the sky for a change! It must not rain – as our windscreen wipers are bankjaxed! You Irish will know this word…
Several wild camping sites passed – not proper access – too steep. Eventually settled on the lakeside near Egirdir – lovely. Walked Corrie – no wild dogs or cats – ice cream and ‘shiy’ – Turkish tea…
No wine today maybe tomorrow… Early start as we will visit a Fiat garage to repair our windscreen wipers. Not “Fix it again tomorrow” but Fiat Italia Automobile Torino“ – hopefully….
Finally mountainsLake EgirdirOur pitch, some shade and strong winds hitting Jez’s derrière. Cay and ice cream, of course.
Isparta and Beysehir
29/07
For our reader(s) – a question? On our short travels in Turkey we’ve seen a chain of shops – “Arcelik”! Any ideas (apart from the obvious)? Myself and K are mystified! Answers on a postcard – to “Jez” Turkey. The winner will have lots of “Liks” – via Corrie!
This morning – up and at em at almost dawn – 7:00 am – brekkie, dog walk – and off to Isparta town to the Fiat garage “Fix it ASAP thanks”. They did – in 20 minutes – with help from Google Translate – a 4 Euro charge! Mile grazi!
Back to the lakes on very quiet highways. Two hours brought us to Beysehir and a lovely lakefront spot for the night. Lunch Al fresco – a windy walk – iced tea, orange juice and ice cream! Now for some warmish wine and chilling. “Tesiculer” – maybe thanks in Turkish?
Egirdir spit where we spent last nightEgirdir lake viewsBeysehir lake picnic spotThe mosque was built 1296-99 and has the largest wooden roof and some fine tilesLove the sign, it translates as “Tombs are not places for making wishes. Let’s not believe in superstitions and throw money. Put your donations into the aid fund!Lake views. Lots of wadersFront and back of the stone bridge / water regulator dam. It claims to be the first irrigation project of the Ottoman Empire. I doubt that as it was built in 1908-14!
We fed the locals breakfast. The one on the step had stitches so obviously a neutering program. The dogs all had municipal ear tags.
We didn’t go to Pamukkale as I’ve been twice now. Disappointed last time with how tourism / people have destroyed a natural wonder. Again.
These caves were on my list from on our visit 5 years ago, when Covid had interrupted our Turkey travel plans. They’d been identified as less touristy by, I think, the Motoroamers. Only £1.10 pp. Pamukkale £29, incl online discount.
The car park was full of Tr cars … we really appreciate that local sites and picnic areas are full of families.
Great caves. Great recommendation.
Who needs Pamukkale with these travertine terraces?
We are finding the small out of city supermarkets don’t hold a lot of fresh produce. It took two shops to find a few basics, but oranges, carrots, cabbage and lettuce are still on my shopping list. Bit of a nuisance as we’re eating two salads a day. The fridge is working, but despite the new fridge fans, can’t keep things cold to last more than 2 days. Fortunately the freezer will normally produce ice to go in the white wine. And our red white has gone into the fridge too, just so it isn’t mulled wine temperature.
I googled Turkish wine production as we passed many km of vineyards yesterday. 4th largest acreage in the world of vines. 6th largest producer. 47th exporter. 85% are Muslim and don’t drink. So that makes the 15% old soaks! Have drunk all 3 colours out and think better than most Greek wine.
We drove onto the Lake District. Passed a massive lake / wetland with piles of salt. Googled it.
Significant Tr of salt from here.As we’ve moved east, the scenery has improved
Too hot to food prep and too hungry so we ate overlooking the lake. £26 for 2 middle of the road dishes, 2 soft drinks and Magnums. Convenient, but, even I, would rather eat my own food.
Did the job Burdur Lake. I’d hoped to be able to swim, but obviously sludge.
The van was in full sun at the lakeside picnic / restaurant area … 50C inside. So we are now parked in shade in another picnic area
We attempted again to buy dog food. Was this going to be another HGS saga? When last in Izmir, I’d found a deceased pet store. As we left Karaburun, I found another shop. A telephone call to a lady with perfect American. Only basic dog food. Back into Izmir. Roadside parking and came away with a 15kg sack of I brand I’ve previously bought. It was the only high protein at the pet store, so I guess not much in demand at £65. Should last most of our trip.
Traffic hold up. A helicopter dropping water. A car had caught fire and ignited the hillside.
Onto Sardis. We had decided not to visit many more ancient sites. At c. £25 for the 2 of us and 4x what the locals pay, we could easily give them a miss. But I’d read that Sardis is where the first coins were ever minted, so special. And it was less than £3 pp. Guess not on the main rip off the tourist trail then.
Similarly, my tea, with yogurt pot water, and James’ water were a non tourist price under a £1.Paint shop water troughsMassive synagogueThehuge gymnasium
J and Corrie rested in the shade. I checked out the huge Synagogue and Gymnasium. A Roman street with shops and latrines. Still being excavated.
The saying Rich as Croesus comes from here. King Croesus of Lydia 585 BC had silver and gold coins minted called Croessids, which were the first true gold coins, with standardised purity for general circulation. No museum showing the coins, but definitely worth the entry.
The control panel fell out. Glue and blue tack are melting as the internal temperature is 44C.
A short drive to shade near a waterfall. tried to walk to it, but the track was barred. Another Zeus Alter; blocked with no reason given. I did read the sulphur springs have been largely exhausted by extraction. We had passed a huge thermal springs hotel complex. Despite the lack of access to the waterfall, I’m now watching my second lot of pre wedding photography, folk who obviously think the scenery photo album worthy. Busy evening here with family and friends picnics. I commented to J that as little or no alcohol involved, we stood less risk of being bumped. And staff were out the next morning collecting bags of rubbish.
Cool picnicKeep picnic are clean: happiness lawNowaterfall access but nice path to the thermal spa hotel I’d spotted a pide place. Like a flat crusty pizza. Yummy. Our first in 5 years.
Amazing Aphrodisias
26/07
Slow drive to here. Main roads, but rattles, as against bumps. Had to swap story book for rock music as the rattles deafened us.Then the necessary music volume did!
Decided this site would be special as it was known for its fine sculpture. UNESCO. So I paid my €12 whilst J and Corrie dozed in the shade.
The sculpture school provided scholars a better understanding of marble production anywhere in the world. Sadly the museum was closed for restoration so I could only look at the few info board images.
Aphrodite temple 3BC, followed by a civic city 100 yrs after. Civic structures included temples, huge agora, theatre, 2 bath complexes and a huge stadium (better than the one at Olympia). In 400 AD they got bored with traditional athletics and adapted one end of the stadium for men / beast entertainment!
A long walk in 38C but worth it. And no problem to stay the night in the shade.
Well over a hundred sarcophagi. Bet the best ones were in the museum!The end adapted for man and beast entertainment The largest most intact Roman stadium I’ve ever seen. Seated 7000 with the city wall along one side. Bigger than Olympus which I ranin the rain with an umbrella. No, I did not run this in 38CThe Odeon used for civic meetings and small performances The larger performances were held here. Archaeologists have learnt a lot about theatre construction from this site. The main baths complex. Most of the statues were in the museum … sighThis ornamental pond / urban park was huge. It would have had columns, statues, fountains and date palms all around. So many areas of bits of column, arch etc piled up.
We battled the massive intersections and traffic to get to a large city Izmir Post Office / PTT. A Google review said they’d been helpful getting the HGS motorway pass. Sounded promising, give our lack of success in Eceabat and Canakkale.
After parking in a port car park (£8), we walked the 2+ km to the PTT along the water front, passing 2 ports and keeping to the shade as much as possible.
PPT lady said none to be had in all Izmir and to try another town. We then started discussing our planned trip, being in a large camping car. Oh says she, hang on a moment. You’re class 2. We have one left of those. I almost felt joy. She then suggested a chilled place with nature. It was not where we were headed, but who are we to ignore a local’s suggestion.
It’s loaded with a fair bit so hopefully we won’t struggle toreload it!Brunch in Izmir to celebrate. My first menemen since we arrived – yummy.
Karaburun
23-24/07
Rejected parking
We stopped initially at a P4N spit in Karaburen. Steps either side down to sea, but no beach shower or cafe. We had passed what looked like a camper stop so returned. A teen girl was encouraged to help with excellent English. Actually she needed no encouragement. Having established there was a shower, two sit down toilets, a cafe and sea access, we booked in for 2 nights (£15 pn).
So for the rest of the afternoon and all the next day, we chilled, ate and drank and took the odd dip. Other than being rescued by a Turkish family, as if I was an ‘old lady locked in the lavatory’ (my grandad used to sing this), we did not a lot.
Not like a normal mojito Love this yogurt drinkJez back leftChilled and in the shade
We crossed the ferry to Canakkale, hoping the bigger town would have a PTT large enough to sell the HGS motorway pass. After being bumped from PTT to every bank, we aborted. Will divert in a few days to Izmir, where we bought one 5 years ago. Coffee and cake.
We attempted to walk to Zeus Alter for its views and of submit offerings! Cor rie saved from being our offering, as unfortunately the path was closed until September. So we did 180 and walked into Adatepe. Pretty stone houses which had been abandoned when Greeks were forced to relocate to Greece.
Wealthy Turks are now properties up.Expensive tourist price lunch, but we didn’t need to eat again.
Desperate for clean knickers, we parked near Ayvacik on a perfect waterfront flat area and deployed the twin tub. Only the spinner is working, so I hand washed 😮. I thought it had too much sand to close the drain properly, but I’ve subsequently flushed it through. Still worth keeping as the spinner is very effective. It cost £100 about 10 years ago, so it doesn’t owe anything.
We moved to the road side lay-by above, as signs stating no Motorhomes. Shame as was perfect and loads of room.
Perfect pitch but not allowed
Percolating at Pergamon
22/07
Didn’t need that early start having been worried about parking in Bergama. There was loads of parking space. But it did mean we did enough of the ancient site of Pergamon before the crowds and it got too hot.
We could have walked up and down but it was steep and hot. Cable car £26 for both of us!!! The entrance was a further £26. Not a cheap morning.
Wandered the main parts of the site. Various occupiers since 281 BC, including, of course, the Romans.
The steepest theatre we’ve ever seen. What goes down must come up, so we didn’t!
We had a quick wander of the town passing the Red Basilica, but deciding against the Askeplion (healing centre) or Roman Baths.
We drove past one of the old bridges
With temperatures predicting around 40C this afternoon we headed N to a forest road with water fountains. We put out the awning and read in the shade. 42C in the van. Other than cicadas, the only disturbances were trucks trundling down with the most huge rocks (2 per truck as that big), and locals filling containers with spring water. One chap used our watering can to douse his overheating engine; he also had no back to his driving seat!
I got a fit of the buzies, having been sat all afternoon and did a little hand laundry, washed the floor and then attempted to get the Sahara Cretan orange dirt off Jez. I didn’t go on the roof as I’d had 2 glasses of wine and no phone signal. That would have been foolhardy! J showered outside with me pouring spring water over him. I don’t know why he complained about the cold – he went to boarding school! I put the hot water on and showered inside!
Clune Gap Years 