Stage 54: From Bergama to Izmir

On the stage to Izmir, we made good progress with good weather and sometimes a tailwind. After a short coffee break in Menemen, the 100 kilometers were easy to ride, and I was already at the Izmir promenade for the afternoon snack. In the cozy hostel, there were two chickens and a small garden, and the people were very nice. Half of the residents were volunteers in a reception center for Syrian refugees. I was directly integrated into the group and we went on a short hike to the old citadel of Izmir, just in time for the sunset. Eight of us quickly mastered the climb to the 'Kadifekale', and the view over the whole city from up there is really worth it! The company was also good for me after a few days in single rooms. We chatted a bit in the evening before I climbed onto the wobbly loft bed. The thin self-built wooden structure threatened to shake every time I turned around, but luckily I was on top!

After breakfast in a cozy atmosphere, the next morning I took the train to Selcuk, together with Roman, a fellow bicycle traveler, to visit the ancient Ephesus (photos and more about it in the next stage). The one-and-a-half-hour train ride cost 11 lira! After a whole day of sightseeing and experiences, I arrived at the hostel around 10 p.m. So just plan the following day briefly and then off to bed!

Since I hadn't had any time to explore Izmir yet, the next day was once again a city tour. At breakfast in the hostel, I met Jule, who spontaneously joined me on the city tour. She had already been to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia and could give me some valuable tips! We were the only participants, but our guide Necmiye was highly motivated and accompanied us through the whole city for several kilometers. We went to the famous elevator (Asansör) of Izmir and back to the city center.

During the tour, I was able to buy some gifts for my host family that I wanted to visit in the evening. For two-year-old Teoman, there were toy cars (a direct hit!), and for Sila and Gökhan, a pack of Sambali, a classic dessert from Izmir. In the afternoon, it started raining from time to time, but it was quite comfortable to sit in the café with a few cups of Turkish tea. In the evening, I drove a few kilometers to the center of Buca (a district of Izmir), where Sila lives with her family. I was warmly welcomed, and a generous dinner was served. Even little Teoman immediately involved me in his games and called me amca (uncle), which is common in Turkey. After an exciting evening, I fell tired into my cozy bed. The next morning, the three of us had breakfast together, as unfortunately Gökhan had to work. I spent the whole morning with Sila and Teoman before setting off again to Selcuk (this time by bike). Thank you very much for the exciting experience!