26 May, Akhisar to Salihli, 63km @ 12.2kph
Otel Yener 70TL
We
had anticipated a really tough day through the mountains to Salihli, but our
wonderful rural road found and followed the valleys, gifting us with gentle
undulations and meanderings, with only a climb or three to slow our progress.
We cycled through farmland ... olives, tobacco, tomatoes, wheat, grapes ... on
a road so narrow trucks were forced to wait behind us when oncoming traffic
prevented them from overtaking. Charl says we were responsible on occasion for
bringing the entire Turkish economy to a halt! We cycled toward mountains so high and so pale against the white-washed sky they looked like a mirage. We left Akhisar at 06:00 in cool
weather, and arrived in Salihli at around 12:30 in hot. I no longer have to
dress Charl, but his shoulder is still very painful and he is popping pain
pills and feeling “fatigued”. Despite which ... at one of the garages at which
we stopped for a soda, Charl pulled up to the pump and gestured for the
attendant to fill up, which resulted in plenty of laughter. When you cannot
connect through verbal communication, laughter does the trick.
Between Akhisar and Salihli
Between Akhisar and Salihli
Between Akhisar and Salihli
Between Akhisar and Salihli
Between Akhisar and Salihli
Between Akhisar and Salihli
Between Akhisar and Salihli
Between Akhisar and Salihli