(written by Nancy) We left Polantli just about 8am this morning under blue skies after a bit of a disappointing breakfast.  This was the first place we stayed that didn’t have cheese out on the breakfast table – all we got was some packaged  cheese spread.  No honey either….  Dave is still thinking about his … Continue reading Free tea day – Polantli to Sivrihisar (62/15,124k, 640m)

(written by Dave) Before I talk about today, I have to make a correction about the spa at the Saracoglu Termal Hotel in Haymana.  Yesterday we reported that they told me that the spa closed at 8PM.  I think it was something else that closed at 8PM as the spa was open all night long.  … Continue reading Hilly short ride to the Turkish festival in Polatli (42/15,062k, 430m)

(written by Nancy) We rolled out of bed at 5:30am this morning, determined to get an early start on our long day.  It wasn’t too hard to get up, as we were already awakened at 4:30 by the call to prayers.  Not sure why but they seem to have moved the schedule back by an … Continue reading A long day with a sting in the tail – Şereflikoçhisar to Haymana (127/15,020k, 980m)

(written by Dave) We had weather worries today but it turned out to be a pretty good day.  The weather people got the forecast right.  They called for 80% chance of rain and some thundershowers.  It rained early in the morning and was lightly raining when we got up.  Keeping in mind that 80% chance … Continue reading Flat roads and tailwinds to Sereflickochisar (79/14,893k, 225m)

(written by Dave) The whooshing of the gas jets from the balloons woke us up this morning before the alarm went off.  The wind had changed directions from yesterday and the valley just outside our room was full of balloons, many very low – it looked like they could see right into our window. I … Continue reading Out of the tourist area and into Askaray (90/14,814k, 780m)

(written by Nancy) Today was our big balloon adventure – an exciting day that started with the alarm going off at 4:30am so we could be ready for our pickup at 4:50am.  That is just a bit too early for me but we dragged ourselves out of bed, got dressed and shuffled outside to wait … Continue reading Sugoi Day in the balloon over Goreme

(written by Dave) Today was all about Goreme fairy chimneys and the Goreme open air museum.  We started with another great brekkie in our hotel, followed by moving our gear to our new room.  We are no longer in the honeymoon suite but the new room is more than adequate. The open air museum is … Continue reading Fairy Chimney day in Goreme

(written by Dave) We are in an amazingly scene place but we spent most of the day looking at maps and figuring out our route forward.  We’ve mostly settled on a relatively straight line from here to Istanbul as it will give us a little more time to play within our schedule. The hotel owner … Continue reading Planning and map day in Goreme

(written by Nancy) We had an amazing buffet laid out for breakfast this morning – by far the biggest breakfast we have had yet in Turkey.  We were the only ones in the breakfast room at 7am and we made a decent dent in the buffet table.  Dave tried to set the place on fire … Continue reading Into the land of the fairy chimneys – Nigde to Goreme (89/14,724k, 520m)

(written by Dave) We had a pretty uncomfortable sleep last night in the old Arikan Otel.  Our room was facing the highway and it seemed like the trucks were zooming by all night.  We set the alarm for 5:45 in an effort to get on the road early; meaning brekkie was a big bowl of … Continue reading Conquering the Tarsus Mountains – Pozanti to Nigde (92/14,653ks 1035 meters)