It was a lot dirtier than expected, I think we passed several dumps along the way and a few people unloading garbage from their trucks onto the side of the road. Putting that aside the views were still amazing, and the roads were some of the windiest that I have ever driven.
We decided to try to find somewhere to camp for free spending more money in Istanbul than we had anticipated and searched the coast for an uninhabited spot of beach. Unfortunately such a thing did not seem to exist to the untrained eye, so we had to ask for directions. We beckoned a few friendly looking locals over to our car, and finding that they didn't speak English we drew a crude picture of a tent and they sent us on our merry way to a little village. Turning up in the dark we stumbled across a road that seemed to have several tents pitched on a more permanent basis. Not being sure if we would be aloud to snuggle up to the locals we pulled into a spare spot and went to search for someone to ask.
We spotted a large fire on the beach and made towards it, but suddenly became aware that we might be trampling into a private party. The fire was surrounded by about 20 Turkish women all singing, dancing and clapping and not far behind them was a long table laden with food and drinks, and beyond that some sofas and tables in a makeshift tarpaulin lounge. Not sure if we should make ourselves known or not we stood on the outskirts quite visible when one of the ladies broke away from the pack for refreshments... we rounded in.
She didn't speak any English but shouted loudly to the circle of women and a couple ran over. Within moments we had been ushered towards the fire for a photo, the ladies all hugging round us like long lost relatives! A couple of them spoke English and translated for those who insistently chatted to us in Turkish seemingly unaware of the fact that we couldn't understand. They sat us in the circle supplied us with baklava and danced round the fire singing what we can only assume were traditional Turkish songs. (I am pretty sure one of them was a love song as we were encouraged to get up and join the ladies swaying, hands on hearts, the in the circle, but politely declined)
Anyhow, after all this excitement, we excused ourselves and went to set up our tent (followed minutes later by a few of the ladies who apparently wanted to see us set up our temporary abode safely).
Some chap owning the cafe opposite tied to charge us but our new best friends were having none of that and promptly saw him off. Eventually we waved our tearful goodbyes and got into bed.
By the morning it became apparent that our air bed had a puncture as we woke flat on the sand squished between deflated folds of plastic. Guess we'll need to find a new one. We could mend it if we could find the damn hole, but it must be so small! The mending kit should really include a hole detector of some description...
That day we had a little swim in the sea, and over lunch came across the strange phenomenon of a rather undertall boy thrusting scales upon us nodding and grinning. He was very insistent but we declined several times and he moved onto the next table. Was he actually asking if we wanted to weigh ourselves? Did he expect money for this service? Or perhaps he was just trying to sell them... We were most perplexed. The owner of the eatery came out and did in fact proceed to weigh himself, which seemed to satisfy the boy enough for him to move on. I didn't see money exchanged so perhaps this is some tradition we have yet to uncover...
Last night we camped wild again in a little bay in front of some fisherman's houses it would seem! I must say that the all the Turkish people we have met so far are extremely friendly and hospitable.One of the ladies from the previous night did even offer for us to stay at her house and last night was practically in a back garden.
Today we drove to Samsun and deciding that we needed a shower and a decent bed for the night, we negotiated a very cheap hotel room in a newly opened hotel that seems desperate for guests (haven't actually seen another guest since arriving). Just managed to catch a bit of 'Turkeys got Talent' before bed.
Off to Trabzon tomorrow. The plan is to be in Russia by Friday but we'll see.
Morale: Better for showering :)
Car: Smelling like burnt eggs... It has been suggested to check that something hasn't crawled up into the air filter and died which we must remember to do tomorrow. Justin keeps blaming the smell on me...
Current Thought: We can't be the last team still in Turkey. Convoy anyone?
Country Count: Still 12
Miles: I believe over 3000 but I need to check
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