Wednesday October 30
Waking up extra early is made much less painful by a beautiful sunrise. The sea was still, and we were left undisturbed once again for a good nights rest. We had a 0900hr ferry to catch from Karakoy (Dacta peninsula) to Bodrum, so we were on the road for 0730hr. This might have been a bit early, but as we well know, anything can happen. Madalene got yet another flat, this time from a very little thorn stuck in her tire. Her 'continental contact' tires have nothing on these plants defense mechanism! The ride to the ferry was incredibly flat, in contrast to yesterdays riding, so we were there with an hour to spare. The 'ferry terminal' was really just a dock with a few people mulling about. We sat and watched as the fishermen came to work on their boats, the construction on the water break proceeded, and the handful of cars bound for Bodrum reversed themselves onto the ferry deck.
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| Our campsite in the morning, |
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| Another spectacular sunrise. |
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| And another less spectacular flat tire. |
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| The ferry from Datca to Bodrum waiting to leave. |
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| Madalene enjoying the ferry ride. |
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| A boat floating in air, or on the sea, on the crossing. |
After a 2hr ferry ride, we were in Bodrum, and treated to a stark contrast prompting today's special: Datca or Bodrum. Hundreds of tall ships, Turkish gulets, and massive yachts line the shores and piers. Polished cobblestone walkways abound, rich and ready for tourism. Arriving in the harbour, we were unclear where the ferry would dock. Then, it spun around and reversed into the narrowest space imaginable. So narrow that a look of fear and panic consumed the face of the man on yacht beside the parking spot. He proceeded to scramble to move buoys, and actually push his boat further over, preventing collision. We rolled off the boat, and beelined for Starbucks, which the GPS assured us was hiding somewhere in Bodrum! Thank you other tourists ! We found it with ease. Happiness.
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| An odd place for a bike, spotted in Bodrum. |
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| Bling boats. |
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| I couldn't believe that the ferry was going to reverse into this tiny spot. Unbelievable. Some very tense moments for the yacht owner of the right. |
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| Guess what we found in Bodrum! |
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| Sitting in Starbucks drinking a coffee was absolute heaven. Strange how familiar experiences from home can provide such joy when they're experience on the road. |
The ride out of Bodrum was very steep, but then the road flattened and boasted a nice wide shoulder. Everything was going reasonably well until a long section of uphill appeared where the guardrail was built extending more than halfway into the shoulder --- leaving very no room for us. This would be the day that I truly felt my life was threatened. A long, large truck was passing me. Just after the cab cleared me, the truck began crossing over the shoulder line, squeezing me into the guardrail. My panniers hit the guardrail, bouncing me and the bike back in the trucks direction. I managed to grab the guardrail with my right hand and hold myself and the bike, leaning precariously -- until the truck had finished passing. I immediately looked back for more dangers, thankfully there was a small pause in traffic. I stood there inspecting small cuts in my hand from the metal (an argument for gloves), my heart racing, and a couple tears escaping. Self talk would be required to get riding again as there was about 200meters of this rail left. I start riding again, and it happens again, but not as tight this time. I start pedaling faster to get past the rail and catch up to Madalene who was about 500 meters ahead of me. I lose it, the tears and fear come rushing forth. We need to find camp soon!!
Madalene leads us into Milas and cuts off the highway. Sadly, still looking for a camp site, we end up back on the highway, a highway with a quarry, and large trucks visiting said quarry. Taking the first road we can find off the highway, we cycle up a farmers track, in full view of the farmers in their tractors, and find a place nestled behind some olive trees atop the hill. Strangely, this night air would be filled with loud, echoing club like music from a town off in the distance.
