Stage 58: From Pamukkale to Antalya

The next morning, the streets in Pamukkale did not inspire confidence, so I didn't want to take any risks. That's why I went to a small travel agency in the morning where the departure times of the widely spread Kamil Koc buses were listed. The young employee helped me come up with a plan. An hour later, I was picked up by a transporter that took me to the bus station in Denizli. On the way, I told Adem, the nice driver, about my plan to take the bus to Isparta and then ride the last 150 kilometers to Antalya by bike. He commented that the road between Isparta and Antalya would probably not be open yet in a few days and that there wouldn't be much to see in Isparta at this time of year. Instead, he advised me (just like Sila and my host in Pamukkale) to take the bus directly to Antalya and spend a few more days on the coast. That sounded somehow reasonable, and an hour later, I was on the bus to Antalya.

On the drive through the Taurus Mountains, I was still able to see some of the breathtaking snowy landscapes. Even though the roads mostly looked cleared, it was probably better not to take any risks. When I arrived in Antalya, I first had to take care of my bike because the mudguard was slightly bent by the rough bus driver. On the way to the hostel, I was approached in the evening by Tancin, a well-connected Turkish cyclist, in the old town. In the accommodation, there were a few older long-term travelers who had interesting stories to tell. Unfortunately, one of them turned out to be a COVID denier but believes in Morgellons. She may work in construction, but of course, she's also half a doctor, what can you do... gHz