Friday November 1
Cycled: 53.02km//3hr24min//15.55km/hr
We awoke to an open expanse of flat sand and not a cloud in the sky. Unfortunately, we could not see the risding sun for the brown haze (fires? industrial? dust from farming?) Today's riding took us inland to Soke, and then back to the coast, and Kusadashi, on the other side of a mountain range. We were surrounded by cotton fields in varying states of harvest, and the ratio of tractors to cars was probably 5:1. Little did we know that Turkey is ranked 6th in the world for cotton production, and it is one of the most important agricultural crops here. The cotton plant is so interesting, fluffy white cotton spilling over a twiggy stalk the colour of dried blood. No leaves, greenery, just brown stalk and while puffs. The ditches, trees, and bushes in the area are coated with cotton that has escaped the fields or trucks. Much like the olive trees, these plants seem like a daunting task to harvest.
Kusadashi reassured us that tourism is alive and well in these parts, with towering condos, villas, and resorts. We started making our way into the city, to our campsite which was oddly and improbably situated in the heart of the tourist area. The GPS led us to a campground tucked into a valley just behind the streets facade of clubs and restaurants. A campsite that has resisted selling out to commercialism for 35 years.
Agenda:
1- Long, long shower
2- Do as little as possible for the remainder of the day.
We did meander through town and treated ourselves to a dinner out. The end.
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| Our campsite in the morning. BACKGROUND. |
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| FOREGROUND. Sand and salt. |
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| Madalene giving the red pepper spice some love. |
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| Riding into Soke, past the Priene ruins and cotton fields. |
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| Piles and piles of white fluffy stuff. Hello cotton! |
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| You cant see it, but our campsite is right there. |
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| Kusadashi also has a big marina. |
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| Standard Turkish fair, for the tourists. |
