We continued to follow the D400 along the coast but today it takes a definite turn towards the North West and home. It's a strange feeling but even though we have another 15 days of touring it feels like we're going home.
We passed the turning for Marmaris and I recognised the road that had taken us to Icmeler a few years ago when we spent a great couple of weeks with mates on a fly and flop holiday. It was tempting to go and have a look but it would have taken a least half a day and we just didn't have time. From here the road improved and it climbed up the side of mount Ula nearly 2000 mtr above sea level according to my map. The views were awesome.
The route took us through rolling pine Forrest for a good hour until, finally, we descended turning off the main road just before Aydin.
I had decided to get of the main road at this point to follow a road that my map had marked up a scenic. It took a good hour to cover 30 mile but it was worth it. It was scenic but not in the usual way of large sweeping views. It was scenic because of the tiny villages that we passed through. It was, I imagined, like going back in time. Little old bent up ladies carrying fire wood, donkeys at work and the occasional really old looking tractor. This went on for several miles when, turning a corner, we found ourselves in the middle of the village market square. I've never seen anything like it. It wasn't a large market but hundreds of people hustling and bustling selling anything from fruit and veg, old tractor parts, chickens and I even watched while three guys bartered over an old beat up scooter ! Angie was busy taking photos on the back of the bike and I would love to have gotten off and had a look around but I think my bike would have been stripped and flogged off for spares in no time . I couldn't see or work out how to get out of the place so I asked an old Turkish guy " Soke " ( the name of the next town) and he just pointed straight threw the crowd! We rode on literally riding through the market having to almost push them aside.
Once in Soke the road turned back into a duel carriageway and within twenty minutes we were in Kusadasi.
Kuşadası is a coastal resort town in the Aydin Province of Aegean Turkey. We have no real reason to visit other than its on our route and has a couple of campsites in the town. We plan to stay a couple of nights so we can have a night out and then maybe visit Emphasis when we leave as we will pass it on the way to Izmer.
We found a camp site right in the centre. It's a little tired but still usable and at 15 tl a night including wifi and electric you can't go wrong, it even has a swimming pool and jacuzzi !!
We pitched the tent in what looks like a very old olive grove. It's a peaceful oasis in what is a very busy town. After sorting the gear we showered and went out in the old town for the night. We have been here last year when we stayed at our friends villa in Didim but it was in the middle of the day and with cruise liners in port it was very crowded. At night however it was completely different. Relaxed and not crowded but the Turkish shop keepers are still a pain in the arse !
Miles to day - 171
Hours in the saddle - 5
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