TravelStream™ news feed for member springy100 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/springy100 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:55:02 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/1/1211306520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/1/1211306520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/1/1211306520/tpod.html Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:55:02 -0400 London to Istanbul by bicycle

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Saray, Tekirdag, Turkey

Malko Tarnovo to Kiyiköy 160km Best bit: unlimited free tea and coffee from the localsWorst bit: crazy hotel manager bangs on door at six am The hotel owner went a bit crazy during the night, so having had him sit with me over breakfast watching every mouthful I ate (at six am) it was time to escape. No wonder the place had been so cheap!Nipping over the border I passed through acres of empty forest, with the occasional wild tortoise wandering by. Bliss. The locals in Turkey instantly seem to take to a cyclist. Free coffees and teas at every stop.The landscape is hills galore - legs groaning - but I am back on the coast road again and Istanbul tantalisingly close.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/1/1211220180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/1/1211220180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/1/1211220180/tpod.html Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:50:09 -0400 London to Istanbul by bicycle

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Burgas, Burgas, Bulgaria

Burgas to Malko Tarnovo(95km)Best bit: Huge national park (1200km of it)Worst bit: hot! Looking at my map I had two choices on how to reach the Turkish border today (a) via a big red road (b) via small windy village backroadsRed  roads in Bulgaria are invariably mini motorways. The associated terror levels with these (for a self-confessed softie like myself) are much like a ride at Alton Towers with no safety belts. The alternative to the red road involved long detours on that that seemed to pass every mountain peak between here and Gallipolli. The villages looked so remote that probably the only annual visitor was the Grim Reaper. How would they react to moi turning up in my best dusty lycra going "hija!"? Only one way to find out....So, as I ground my way along the backroads I was increasingly flagged down  by friendly locals who said "stop" go no further, road head "gone". Of course I ignored them all. So, lo and behold the road got narrower and narrower, with more trees growing in the tarmac until, sob, it simply disappeared. Some friendly guys grazing their pigs directed me to a dirt track that really was off road. cobbles, rocks and mud. A medieval farm forsest track. uphill. I put on my helmet and was very glad I was on my mountain (as opposed to roadie) bike.The irony was, that eventually, a couple of sweaty and bumpy hours later,  I popped out of the forest onto the red road. It was big, fast and devoid of any traffic. My overnight stop on the border in Malko Tarnovo turned out to be a brand new hobby hotel built by the local architect. I had a dip in the pool, watch a bit of telly on the plasma tv in my room, sat in the garden with a beer while the sun set. Bliss. And all for £30.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213636260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213636260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213636260/tpod.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:02:25 -0400 Dubrovnik to Bologna - by bike and boat

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Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Rimini to BagnacavelloLeaving Rimini, and after about 100km of riding in a very squiggly direction to avoid the busy roads my legs said it was time to call it a day. I turned into a place called Bagnacavallo, to discover that the best place to stay in town was in an old nunnery (also the local hostel). Walking the corridors of this huge building (seemingly totally on my own) was a spooky experience, with each footfall echoing as I walked down endless corridors, and me imagining dark shapes looming just out of the corner of my eyes...  
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213377540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213377540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213377540/tpod.html Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:21:44 -0400 Dubrovnik to Bologna - by bike and boat

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Split, Croatia

In Split I stayed in a friendly small old fashioned hostel of 16 beds where their dog licked your toes and everyone could sit out in the courtyard chatting. Inbetween the bursts of rain I wandered around the Roman Palace which comprises most of the old town. Stunning stuff with narrow lanes of slippy marble. In the evening I hung out with the rather eclectic mix of hostel occupants. For some reason the hostel of was full of (charming) americans  - a mix of drop out hippy types and bright eyed navy boys on shore leave. This made a change from the usual hundreds of australians! Having a few beers in town some of the locals objected to a couple of the americans (probably cos of their tatoos) and a punch up ensued. Fortunately there were no bruises. The following night we met up with some local girls that one of them had been in contact through the internet. These girls were a real laugh and took us to one of the rowdier seaside bars. One of the americans (who reminded me strangely of kermit the frog but without green skin) decided to wear a bizarre pale blue beret and I thought we might be in for another punch up, particularly as I was wearing a magnetic blue cycling top (it was the only thing I had left that was not either wet or very well worn), but we got home in the early hours unscathed...  although a bit wet as it still had not stopped raining!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213190760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213190760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213190760/tpod.html Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:19:34 -0400 Dubrovnik to Bologna - by bike and boat

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Korcula Town, Korcula, Croatia

In Korchula I had a relaxed night with a couple of lads I had met on the ferry. We found a cocktail bar on the roof of one of the towers on the city walls. The drinks were tasty and potent but there was a snag. Entry to the bar was up a very steep ladder (so steep the the drinks themselves were winched with a pully up the wall). So after 3 drinks we had to call it a day as we were already giddy and none of us wanted to drunkenly slip and plunge 30ft down a ladder. Feeling healthy due to my relative abstinance, I slept with the windows wide open, keen to savour every bit of the sea view before my return to the grey skies and hoodies of south London. Early morning the gentle lapping noise of the waves was replaced by the persistent tapping of heavy rain on the glass. I stuck my head out to feel warm heavy drops. Strolling down to the tourist office i asked for the forecast. The young girl leant forward to check the internet but her older gypsy like colleague smacked her thick lips loudly and laughed. "its going to rain heavy like this all day, and for the next few days, and there might even just be a big storm" she stated with confidence, and added something equally authoritative like "I have lived here all my life and know the skies well". WIth this gloomy prediction in mind I hurried off and booked the next ferry out of town, figuring that it is better to be wet in Split (where there is lots to do), than stuck in Korchula. And blow me, she was right. It rained nearly every day for a week!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213462980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213462980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213462980/tpod.html Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:18:45 -0400 Dubrovnik to Bologna - by bike and boat

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Ancona, Marche, Italy

Catching the night ferry to Ancona (Italy) I shared a cabin with a serious looking Croatian chap, with big bulgy eyes. After drinking most of my wine over dinner he cheered up a bit and I discovered that like many Croatians, in addition to his day job (nautical engineer) he also works with tourists on the side. In this case he has a 22m boat that he takes unwitting australian tourists around the Croatian islands. He also knew the Italian coast well, and suggested that riding up the east side (rather than crossing over the mountains to Umbria), perhaps as far as Verona shouldnt be too bad for a route if I wanted to clock up the miles. His advice turned out to be good.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213549440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213549440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213549440/tpod.html Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:18:22 -0400 Dubrovnik to Bologna - by bike and boat

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Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Flat beach awaited me with most sections on cycle paths or not busy roads, meaning that by the followign day I had arrived in Rimini, and then next day could push on into the countryside. The long stretches of sea were in no way a distraction, being a bit like Bognor Regis, except much extended. In the evening I caught up with some friends of friends who very kindly showed me the Roman ruins of the city, a pleasant contrast from the tacky beach.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213102320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213102320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1213102320/tpod.html Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:24:26 -0400 Dubrovnik to Bologna - by bike and boat

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Mljet National Park, Croatia

The huge ferry swung into the bay and the bow door swung down like a drawbridge. Out popped one bicycle with me on it. I was now on the national park island of Mljet. On arriving at its eastern village Pomenac, three of hours of hilly riding later I spoke to the diving school owner Mario. His attractive blurb on sunken german gunboats and roman cargo ships had been a major reason for coming here. "nope" he said with an italian sounding accent "I need-a two more-a people to make the diving worthwhile-a". And at that point, to coin a nautical phrase, I realised my plans might just be "scuppered". Feverishly I scuttled along the very small stretch of rocky beach talking to the few people there who looked vaguely sporty in an attempt to drum up the necessary business. Alas, it was not to be, but instead I found myself chatting to two lovely irish girls, plus a girl from Bosnia with the most brown eyes I think I have ever seen. A few hours later we were knocking back the local vino and then somehow found ourselves partying in an elderly german couples boat, singing Irish songs. This was until girl with lovely eyes (name withheld for reputational reasons) announced she urgently needed to go and throw up, so we decided to call it a night. The germans thanked the good Lord that they had got us off their boat. My liver thanked me for its unexpected deliverance...Spending the day pottering around the trails on the bike I realise the island is simply stunning and something quite special. I am surrounded by water and other islands (between each tiny boats bob along) on one side, and high hills on the other. Yellow butterfiels seem to dizzyly flit everyhwere, almost crashing into my moving spokes and then flitting away at the last minute. Very large metallic looking bugs, as hard as macadamia nuts keep bumping into me, but their shells protect them from any serious harm. They are so nosy I have to repeatedly flick them away, but they always seem to survive the hardest swats. Cats are everywhere in the village, mangy begging things that you want to nevertheless stroke but realise you will probably catch some horrible skin disease if you do!I stay in a large clean and cheap double room above a restaurant with sea views on two sides for 25 pounds per night. The owner Ivor is friendly and gives me free wine which tastes like the home made stuff my dad used to make from next doors rose petals when I was a boy. It is sweet and strong and tastes super. I tuck into a juicy sea bass swimming in garlic and served with wads of spinach. Ivor advises me to come back but not in July or August. He explains the the idillic quiet island I am seeing today is transformed overnight in crowded hideous place. "Come back in September" he suggests. And maybe I just will...
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Mljet National Park, Croatia

Time to leave this island and head north and east, but I think Mljet (and the village of Pomena in particular) is one of the most beautiful islands I have ever visited. I hope as I write it will become clear why!This morning I set off early to catch the cool air for my short  ride to the ferry point. The road climbs 30km alongo the hilly spur of the island. I am virtually alone, five cars pass me in two and a half hours. There is no wind and from my view point I look over lakes and sea that is millpond still. Small boats are dotted around. The reflection of the monastery alone on its own island is perfectly reflected in the water. Stone turrets, terracota tiles, green shrubs are all mirrored. As I climb higher all the mountain spurs are stretched out before me, and their feet touch the water in a perfect line tantalisingly masked by the morning mist. There is no sound, not even the sigh of a light breeze, just the occasional bird. Reaching the village of Sobra I climb the peak on the other side and sit on a high point and spot the ferry approaching in the distance, a long white wake in its trail. It seems to take forever to reach me, but everytime I concentrate my gaze I realise it has crept milimetres closer. I consider staying longer, but who knows what else is out there to see and discover. Its time to take the boat and head to the Island of Korc(h)ula.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1212912480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1212912480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/springy100/2/1212912480/tpod.html Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:52:40 -0400 Dubrovnik to Bologna - by bike and boat

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Dubrovnik, Croatia

Being a considerate friend, I decided to take the rain clouds hovering over London with me. And so it came to pass, that on arrival at Dubrovnik airport, I was greeted by a light grey drizzle, while apparently certain friends back home basked in an unexpected day of sunshine! In the arrivals area I briefly chatted to a Finnish cyclist who had touched down at the same time. I realised that unlike my other travels I wouldnt be the only cyclist in town, so would have to survive future social situations without the novelty value! The Finnish guy was wearing a disturbingly tight all in one black lycra outfit, so before this awful sight permanently burned itself into my retina i headed off along the coast road into town.   Dubrovnik didnt blow me away. It is simply another charming walled town (and I have seen lots of them this holiday!) but the locals were friendly enough and I enjoyed wandering around the narrow stone alleys in the old city. The hostel lady said my bike would be safe left outside for the night as Croatians "were too lazy to ride bikes and preferred mopeds". This indeed seemed the case as every youngster in town was buzzing around on their mopeds like wasps to honey, so I took her advice and just left the bike in the street. Needless to say, it was still there in the morning!
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