Via Izmir, Bodrum I continue until I reach the Datça Peninsula, the most scenic part so far

Along the Aegean, Part 2

“The most scenic part so far” is a sentence I will be writing a few more times, I hope. The good thing about that: it feels true every time I write it. There is just so many things to discover!

Izmir

Izmir welcomes me with 2 flats. I’m not sure how exactly those altogether 90+ thorns got stuck in my tires, but either way I consider that a few too many punctures to patch. Unfortunately I’m also out of spare tubes at this point so I really need to go to a bicycle shop to get some replacements.

As luck would have it just at this moment, another cyclist passes by and chats me up: Kemal helps me pump my tires and guides me to a bicycle store where I stock up. The shop only carries Chinese brand tubes but at this point I’m not even sure if those are worse than my Schwalbe ones…

I spend one night in a hostel downtown and another 2 nights couchsurfing in Izmir with Selman and his brother. The two guys are in Web/Android development and have kindly offered to host me. They live on the 13th floor on the hilly part of Izmir, making for a nice view of the sea and city from their living room window.

On one day when cycling along the Izmir waterfront I meet a Turkish cyclist, Mehmet, who speaks fluent English due to his previous time living in the US. He invites me for coffee + cookies where I meet his friends, some of which are also cyclists.

40 thorns in the front, 50 thorns in the back.40 thorns in the front, 50 thorns in the back.IzmirView of Izmir from my couchsurfing host's windowView of Izmir from my couchsurfing host's windowIzmirWaiting for breakfast: the supermarket is still closedWaiting for breakfast: the supermarket is still closedNo capturing the atmosphere without a proper camera -- camping under the moonlight in an olive groveNo capturing the atmosphere without a proper camera -- camping under the moonlight in an olive groveShower options along the beachShower options along the beachAn abandoned hotel ruin along the seasideAn abandoned hotel ruin along the seasideI considered camping on this hill, but the signs were not very confidence inspiring.I considered camping on this hill, but the signs were not very confidence inspiring.

By now I’m so used to pedaling with the sea on my right that when leaving Izmir it takes me a while to notice that I’m going the “wrong” way: the coastline stretches from West to East now and from Izmir I should actually be going South to get to Bodrum. So I turn around again to make my way through the crazy Turkish big-city traffic.

A few days later I reach Bodrum, a cute touristy town. From here I take the ferry onto the Datça peninsula. There aren’t many cars on the road which makes the journey a real pleasure. Some of the nights are now getting colder and I’m glad I bought some long underwear back in Istanbul.

Datça peninsula, TurkeyDatça peninsula, TurkeyDatça peninsula, TurkeyDatça peninsula, TurkeyThat was a cold morning (around 7C)That was a cold morning (around 7C)Datça peninsula, TurkeyBeesBeesDatça peninsula, TurkeyDatça peninsula, TurkeyDatça peninsula, TurkeyRohloff leakingRohloff leakingSorry, I guess I should't be smiling too much. You'll get jealous ;)Sorry, I guess I should't be smiling too much. You'll get jealous ;)And that was the last time I've seen my Swiss knife (RIP)And that was the last time I've seen my Swiss knife (RIP)"Follow the white rabbit!""Follow the white rabbit!""Rescued" a turtle that was about to cross the road"Rescued" a turtle that was about to cross the roadDatca peninsula