Trapped in Paradise

After sitting around all of Wednesday waiting foran email of our Letter of Introduction to Russia, and it not turning up before the Russians took a 4 day weekend, we decided that for our sanity we should get the heck oot of Istanbul and ride south to the Galipoli peninsular for 3 or 4 days.  Ben and Peter had the desire to visit the battle sites. took the back road along the Sea of Marmara.

 Myself and Peter Hickey.

It was our first section of dirt, about 15km of pretty rough stuff. mainly shart large rocks sticking out of the gravel. Finally saw a sign to the town of Gellibolu at the top of the penninsular. Myself with Peter and Ben.

Another hour or so and we were having our first Efes Pilsen in Eceabat at the Crowded House backpackers.   Hot showers, sit down loos and a full breakfast, all for about $17 each.   Wandered down later, found a good seafood restaurant and had our fill. our bikes were secure down a lane where the owner of Crowded House parked his BMW to block our bikes in.

Dave and I headed off next morning and crossed to Cankkale by ferry for the ride to Erdek, as it looked good on the map.  We were in no rush and hoped it was a nice fishing village.

It probably was a lovely fishing village in the '70s, but now a large tourist town for Turks. Found a nice pension right on the water and settled in. Wifi only in summer!  Towels, never, and the showers were cold in the morning, and it cost more than Crowded House! The coast was geat and the sunset over the Marmara, fasntastic.  Another healthy seafood feast. Asked for some beers and had them served in coffee cups.  No license I guess.

Stopped for a pide at this fine roadhouse.   Thinking of opening a chain back in Oz.

 We rode on to Bandirma and decided to take a ferry back to Istanbul.  My clutch was slipping under acceleration, so thought saving the bike as well as saving money, best to take the ferry.  Its been costing about 110 lire to fill the tank, about $60, and ferry cost 87 lire. 

Arrived after dark, and even with GPS got hopelessly lost. I recall seeing Dave peel of the freeway with me 3 lanes over!   Dave got to the Istanbuli Bikers a good hour before me. Thank god for my meds!  I spent an hour, no more than 2 km from the club, but with so any new major roads, I couldn't get there. I knew that I was close. I kept being on the wrong side of the river or railway line.  When I finally found it, Dave was holding out a cold Efes for me. 

Got up this morning (Sunday, Happy Mothers Day, Joan) and started to strip the clutch cover off.  No rush, so did it slow and hopefully right.

 Fixing the pannier rack that was damaged in the great Istanbul Footpath Incident.  Managed to find a suitible and correctly shaped piece of firewood from next door's bakery.

The Istanbuli Bikers are a great bunch of guys. We'll be staying here for a few days and couldn't be more welcome.  True bikers who will help fellow travellers and expect nothing but friendship. an added bonus is Casper the biul Bull Terrier.  Much cleaner than when I first saw him, and as friendly as Hank or Jazz. Love him!!