Turkey Under the Radar

see all photos »

"After five plus months on the road we decided to mix it up for the last phase of our trip. In an effort to get off the beaten path, give ourselves a little more personal independence, and stretch our dollars we opted for a new mode of transportation: bicycle. Nothing could have prepared us for what we found once we got out on the road.

We cheated a bit off the bat by taking a train out of Istanbul but by late morning we were working our way across the Turkish countryside. It is curious how from a bicycle seat a place can reveal a totally different type of beauty. What really blew us away, though, was not how our perception of the land changed, but our perception of the people. Folks who are not used to the day-in day-out grind of the tourist trade are, on the whole, incredibly friendly. When we pulled in to town the first night and started hunting around for a place to stay, we were literally pulled off our bikes and into a home-cooked dinner. The next day we were treated to an amazing breakfast of fresh fruits, cheeses and jams in a picturesque country setting. When we pulled over for lunch an old man riding a tractor stopped and gave us a free watermelon. That very same night two women approached our camp and served us tea! The simple generosity we have encountered by these everyday people is unbelievable.

So far we have gone about 350 km (over some mild but nevertheless trying mountains) and have crossed over the boarder into Bulgaria. We have rewarded ourselves with a siesta on the Black Sea, but are poised to get back on the road in a day or two. We were correct in our assumption that this would give us tremendous freedom, and as for now have no concrete itinerary beyond a week or so. As Internet access is again within a reasonable price range for us, we vow to be more diligent with keeping you updated."