Taking the Turkey out of Turkey...

Yes, it has finally reached that time when I have to leave Turkey. After the paper article it was just too hard to keep cycling here. For the last week I have had to cycle with a paper bag on my head so no-one will recognise me. I hope Syria will provide me with anonymity again! ;)

01 Nice day for a walk

So out of the mountains I roared south to the coast. I ended up getting away just on time. Two days later the first big dump of the year arrived in Cappadocia. Phew. Coincidentally as I was roaring south, I felt I sudden and explosive dump overwhelming me too (dodgy kebab!). A busy dual carriageway and nowhere to hide. Oh dear... eventually I did manage to find a small tree (....bush.... shrub...) though and hopefully didn't scare too many of the locals...

02 The First Church - St Peters

My final stop in Turkey was Antakya. Very much a Mediterranean town with the care free and friendly attitude to boot. Among other things, Antakya is famous because St Peter came up there and set up the first church in a cave after the death of Christ, and it was there that the term 'Christian' was first dubbed.

Then about 1200 the first Crusaders had their first big siege with the Muslims here before eventually capturing the town and moving on to Jerusalem.

My stop was considerably quieter as I ended up helping cook my last dinner in a kebab shop and scoffing as much Baklava as I could.

Syria tomorrow. I don't think there have been any problems there lately but I guess I'll find out when I get there. Bye bye from Turkey. See you in Syria! :)

03 Shops 1

04 Shops 2

05 Shops 3