I knew my time in Turkey was getting close to ending and I had been carrying around a tent, sleeping bag, mattress, pillow and cooking and eating equipment for a month and I thought I should at least get into the tent. I had found Ada Camping on the Internet and it is on the water's edge of an island called Cunda off Ayvalik. There wasn't much information to go on except it seemed right on the water, should be quiet and wasn't too far from Ayvalik if supplies or an alternative were needed.
I had decided I would go through Izmir to see if I could see a couple of sights and perhaps find some cooking fuel for the camping equipment. I had the address for the camping store that I was sure would be able to help and the GPS looked really confident……..
The back-streets well before the start of Izmir….
I started to become a little concerned with the GPS when it took me off the highway and into the backstreets of the outskirts of what may only be generously called "Izmir"……. Since I had followed it this far I knew I would need to follow it a little further before I could start trying any alternatives…….
The steep and narrow roads of Izmir - less than 4km but more than 45mins from the destination.
When I followed the coloured line on the GPS screen to the steep, winding and narrow old streets of Izmir I knew it was time to check the setting on the GPS. I changed the setting from "Shortest" to "Fastest" and got on the main roads and followed the GPS to within 50m of the camping shop and soon found it. Although the store sold several multi-fuel camping stoves and the fuel bottles to store the fuel in they didn't sell the fuel and could't clearly tell me exactly where to buy the fuel. The best they could offer was "in the bazaar"….
I left the camping shop location and headed in the general direction of the bazaar, Konak Square (which was on my list) and somewhere to have lunch. After missing a turn-off or two for Konak Square I backtracked and was about to park up on the footpath next to the square when I saw the Police standing there. I though better of it and instead asked where I might find parking. They recommended around the corner, which was mayhem, so I decided to park in front of a cafe at the entry to the bazaar and have lunch.
Parking was easy in the bazaar in front of the cafe for lunch.
The loaded bike had attracted some attention in front of the cafe so when I was ready to leave I was pestered to go and look at rugs and jackets and any manner of things I didn't need. I asked if they had the camping fuel and they promised they did. I asked again and he was sure he had the fuel. I headed off after him through the bazaar on my motorcycle while he ran. We both dodged and weaved through the bustle of customers, carts, tables and chairs while every so often he would stop to confirm where he was going and that what I had asked for was what he could get.
I saw another camping shop just before he was about to jump on as a pillion (on top of my red roll-top bag that is on top of the seat) to make progress a little easier for both of us. Anyway (already long story getting shorter) we walked around the bazaar and backstreets for about an hour without luck.
I did get a great shoe shine for 5TL though.
It was time to get moving.
It was hot, so I stopped for an ice cream and water at the service station.
After passing through Ayvalik I headed out onto Cunda, followed the signs through a brief period of wonderfully twisty, forest road before arriving at Ada Camping, Cunda. I confirmed the price and arrangements for food etc and rode around to the camping area where another motorcyclist was relaxing by his tent.
It had been a decent ride and the weather was certainly hotting up so I got my priorities in order......the tent could wait a little while. I stripped off some motorbike clothing, grabbed a refreshment and met Thomas (German - some English) and Dominic (French - more English) who were camping nearby.
It was a reasonably solid day of riding and I was looking forward to setting up the tent for the first time. So, after a relatively short pause I put up the tent, blew up the mattress and sorted out the sleeping bag and pillow. I was now ready for a sleep later.
The old tent still holding up - time to relax.
Through our brief introductions and differing language skills I found out that Thomas was riding his BMW F650GS around Turkey for about 5 weeks. He had taken about a week (I think) to get from Germany to Cunda and his previous stop had been Gallipoli.
Dominic is an author who was researching and writing his next book on the Byzantine and Ottoman history in Turkey and it was his first time camping. He seemed to be enjoying the opportunity to camp somewhere very quiet with internet access so he could gather the information he needed without too many distractions. He was also enjoying the water for a minimum of one swim per day.
Ada Camping is far enough from Ayvalik to make staying there for your meals an easy choice. The location next to the Aegean Sea, the sunset, the light breeze, the convenient food and drink - I was convinced.
Lamb chops with red wine by the water was a great way to relax and finish off the day.
Very peaceful - the view from the dining tables.