Turkish Delight - Part 3

Olympos was more of a village than a town, and due to it now being low season for tourists the village was very quiet, fine by me, set in a valley surrounded by forested mountains with a long pebble beach at the end of a track the view was beautiful and the mountain walks were peaceful. Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia where I visited the ruins of the City Wall, North and South Necropolis, the Sarcophagus of Alkesetis, Roman Bath and Theatre.

Back in Antalya four (4) days later my motorcycle parts had arrived and the mechanic at Kosifler Oto completed repair and service work including fork seals, front and rear wheel bearings, fuel pump, housing and filters, chain and sprockets, oil change with filter and an air filter.

After picking up my motorcycle I rode back to the Pensyion to meet up with commercial airline pilot Emrah again, we spent the afternoon on the water sailing a ten (10) metre yacht with two (2) of his pilot friends. Being out on the water was great, sailing proved to be very calming and Emrah’s friend Ali discussed his desire and the possibility of one day setting out to sail beyond local waters, my only suggestion was that it would be a fantastic experience.

Now my motorcycle had been repaired and serviced it was time for me to make tracks west, I loaded up and rode to the coastal town of Oludeniz. Arriving mid-afternoon, it quickly became apparent that the peak tourist season in Turkey was over, Oludeniz was like a ghost town, there was very few shops, restaurants or businesses open and not many tourists on the ground. I settled into one of the few hotels still open then stretched my legs with a walk along the beach front. The following morning while riding back from a sightseeing visit to a nearby town I was waved over by a man on a motor scooter. Oz was a Turkish guy who married an Australian woman, became an Australian citizen, divorced, and now spends time in Turkey and Australia. Oludeniz is known as a great place for paragliding and Oz worked as a tandem pilot while in town, his season was over, he was heading to Australia in the coming days to visit his children and work during the off season. He also likes motorcycle travel and we discussed his plans and options to purchase a motorcycle and ride back to Turkey from Australia. He also recommended I experience paragliding while in town, I agreed so Oz tee’d me up with a local tandem pilot for a flight the following day.

 

The view while paragliding was spectacular and I am glad I experienced it, but I was definitely happy to have my feet firmly back on the ground, I think I will stick to motorcycling rather than jumping from mountain tops.

Back on the road I left the southern coast of Turkey behind and rode inland to Pamukkale for a couple of days and visited nearby sights. Within walking distance of my accommodation I joined the tourist trail to see the ancient city of Hierapolis, highlights included the museum and theatre. I also visit Pamukkale's hot spring terraces which are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs.

 



While based in Pamukkale I rode 100 kilometre’s to visit the ruins of Aphrodiseus, walking around the ancient site and museum before setting off for the 100 kilometre return ride.

Continuing my journey northwest, I rode in the rain through the busy coastal city of Kusudasi before settling for a couple of nights in the smaller, quieter town of Selcuk using it as a base while visiting the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus.
 

In Selcuk I visited the remains of the local castle and castle wall on a hill top, it also provided a great position to view surrounding Selcuk farmland.

The following morning I set off under overcast skies and in cooler weather, just missing or skirting rain storms several times during the 400 kilometre ride to Canakkale.

Canakkale was a pleasant little city on the Dardanelles, it is close to the ancient city of Troy, known as being the site of the Trojan War, and I visited the city ruins and a replica of the Trojan horse that became legend for its use to invade the city.

Troy was the subject of a Brad Pitt movie and Canakkale is home to the Trojan horse used in the movie. I also visit other local sights including Cimenlik Kalesi and the city Clock Tower.

I rode onto a vehicle ferry for my departure from Canakkale, and after a short time on the vehicle and passenger ferry I crossed the Dardanelles strait and set foot on the European side of Turkey. The town of Eceabat was my base to visit the Gallipoli peninsular.

In early 1915, attempting to seize a strategic advantage in World War 1 by capturing Constantinople (now known as Istanbul), the British authorized an attack on the peninsula. The first troops landed on 25 April 1915. After eight months of heavy fighting, the troops were withdrawn around the end of the year.

The campaign was the first major military action of Australia and New Zealand as independent dominions, and is often considered to mark the birth of national consciousness in those nations. The date of the landing, 25 April, is known as "Anzac Day". It remains the most significant commemoration of military casualties and veterans in Australia and New Zealand. I spent a solemn day reflecting on life while riding a loop around the peninsular. I rode through the town of Kilitbahir, Behramli Koyu village, Alcitepe Koyu village and the town of Sehitler Abidesi where I visited a Turkish Memorial, then on to Franiz Aniti, a French Memorial. I continue on to Cape Helles Aniti, visiting a British, Australian and New Zealand Monument.

I then rode back through Alcitepe Koyu to ANZAC Cove. ANZAC Cove became famous as the site of World Was 1 landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on 25 April 1915. The cove is 600 metres long, bounded by the headlands of Arıburnu to the north and Little Arıburnu, known as Hell Spit to the south. Following the landing at Anzac Cove, the beach became the main base for the Australian and New Zealand troops for the eight months of the Gallipoli campaign. While in the area I visited several Australian, New Zealand and British war cemeteries at Ari Burnu and Lone Pine.

 

 

The visit to Gallipoli brought an end to a very enjoyable time in Turkey, I visited many ancient city ruin sites, walked along and rode through beautiful coastal scenery, visited spectacular castles and mosques, and met many friendly Turks. My original travel plans have changed again, so after one (1) more night in Eceabat I continued my ride northwest. Although it is getting cold in Europe, due to the situation in Syria and circumstances in many North African countries making it difficult to ride throughout Africa, I will now ride further into Europe and make plans on the road as to where I go in the New Year.