Alarm woke us at 6.00 and as we went outside we were greeted by the couple who run the place as well as breakfast! Well it would have been rude not to have eaten it so we tucked in. We said our goodbyes and they gave us details to get in touch and they mimed " next time fly we pick you up from Antalya airport" maybe , one day we will see.
We managed to get away for 7.00 so not to bad. The sun was just rising up out of the sea, really weird I don't think I've ever seen it that way before, we stopped for a couple of photos then got going again. I know that I'm always going on about the light here but it really is special. As the sun rose it lit up the mountains with a surreal orange light. The air was cool and we both shivered as we climbed up the mountain road to get back onto the D400.
We then spent a couple of hours chasing the coast road, with it's constant left and right hairpins as well as Turkish drivers who have yet to learn the right side of the road to drive on , it was fun.
We decided to check out Oludiniz and Fethiye as we had heard so much about them and I've often thought about a package holiday around here.
Modern Fethiye is located on the site of the ancient city of Telmessos, the ruins of which can be seen in the city, however when we rode in it was more like Blackpool in the sun! I've never seen so many adverts for "Sunday roast" and "full English breakfast" and even an Xfactor bar !! We rode on for Oludiniz as we had seen an advert on the Internet for a camp site . Well I guess the name should have given it a way the "Sugar Beach Club" hardly sounds traditional Turkish does it ? it's without doubt one of the worst campsites I've ever seen, tents and caravans shoehorned in with litter and crap everywhere. Amongst this man made hell hole beautiful green pine clad mountains come down to the bay with a calm turquoise blue estuary snaking it's way along the one side of the resort . We took a couple of photos and left feeling a little disappointed. I won't be booking that holiday anytime soon !
Back on the main rode we worked our way slowly along the coast , hindered by wet tarmac and a new top coat of Chipping's. For ten miles I worried about my paintwork with loose gravel flying everywhere not helped by the barmy Turkish drivers!
Eventual some hours later We pulled in to a place called Gocuk. It was recommended by one of the local Turks at our previous stop, he spoke good English, or so I thought. He told me that the town had many many campsites. Well we searched for them for a good half hour without any luck so maybe he doesn't understand the meaning of camp site . Reluctantly we decided to find a room.We found one that was a little small but looked out across the bay. It wasn't the best place we have stayed in but time was getting on and we didn't have much choice.
We dumped the bike, had a quick shower and went out for a stroll and a bite to eat.
Most of what you see today as "Göcek" is actually a town purpose built on a grid plan in late 1980s/early 1990s to boost and serve then newly-emerging tourism in the area, on what was then the coastal plains of the village of Göcek. The back bone of the tourism is the marina , set in a backdrop of tiny islands and pine covered mountains it really is beautiful especially if you own a boat!
We returned to the room later after a lovely afternoon and evening just sight seeing and sitting on the water front drinking Turkish tea ,watching the world go by.
Miles today - a very scenic and enjoyable 197
Hours in the saddle - 5
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