There were 70 kilometres that needed to be done today before I could put my feet up and have a break.
I was intending to ride on a busy secondary road today, but after a few kilometres, it was just too ugly. I followed my nose which can often be catastrophic, and then let the bike computer reroute me as necessary.
Looking at the recommended turns, I decided to keep following my instincts as long as I was heading in the right general direction. After a short time, the bike computer got the drift and started taking me on back roads behind villages away from the busy traffic. It was relaxing riding but again quite warm.
I eventually had to rejoin a fairly major road but by this time the traffic had chilled out and thinned out. I stopped at a petrol station to try and get petrol but they refused. Their excuse was “because of the fires”. I should have asked immediately for two cigarette lighters, a tin of Kero and a newspaper, just to see their reaction. How ridiculous.
Again, the heat was oppressive, so I stopped for some lunch about 8kms out, but simply didn’t cool down.
Those last 8kms included endless resorts and water parks and everything I don’t like about mass tourism. But the squeals of kids and adults alike, having fun, completely changed my attitude and I had a smile on my face heading down to the Ladies Beach Hotel, my home for two nights.
My route took me down to the Mediterranean again then up and down a few strenuous hills as it hugged the coast and gave me views of the Greek island of Samos. I’d be there in two days time. I then rode towards the flat valley that would take me to Selcuk and Ephesus. I’d been there before, so I took the right turn to Kusadasi.
First, I had to find it. There was the Ladies Beach apartments beside the Ladies Beach Suite Hotel but neither looked right. I wandered around in my search and eventually kept walking down the Esplanade. And there it was.
Not a luxurious place, but it’s right on the beach – Ladies Beach to be precise. The beach was chocolate block (thanks again Dennis) full of holiday makers. The people at the hotel said it was far busier on the weekend but I can’t see how that’s possible.
I had a nice two days of eating sleeping and swimming.
The holiday has begun.
I also read up about what happened between Turkiye and Greece following the first world war. It’s hard to believe that two neighbours who are so kind and friendly to me, could be so violent towards each other. A different time.