Ankara and a Good Muslim

Asphaltmueller from ADV invited us to stay with him in Ankara. 

Amy Luna a friend of mine recommended the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. 

So when Ozge offered his place, well his place was too crowded with his full family, he then dropped us off at  Ilteris house (left front) who promptly took us to a great area and a good lunch with cocktails!

Finally got a decent drink here, mojito.

This place is known for the chicken.

As we crested a rather high hill to see the city below, he proudly announced, 'Welcome to Ankara! The ugliest city in Turkey!"

Compensation, great Turkish ice cream. Pistachio and Chocolate.

Found a Kryolan store and had to stop for a photo. I got my make up here for my Avatar Halloween costume last year. 

Cute area for street shopping.

Damn those Turkish pastries!

My room.

So another thing that makes Ilteris a good Muslim was the promptly opened a bottle of French wine.

And when the Mosque next door (literally) broadcast the prayer over the loudspeaker from the minaret, he would blast any classic rock at 50 decibels. 

Apartment building hell.

Oh then if that couldn't top the last quirk, he BBQ Bacon! Paul you need to hook up with this guy if you ever go to Turkey.

Enjoyed a wonderful backyard BBQ.

Excellent homemade food!

The 3 stooges

The next morning a drive around the old city and the citadel on top of the highest point in the city. 

Then a covert operation to get to this lake owned by the university.

Some cool bars that night.

Ozge doesn't fool around with  his beer glass size.

I had an excellent time in Turkey once again and finishing off the trip with this wonderful hospitality made it perfect. I will leave my new friends with something I found on the menu of a restaurant recently...

"Mailale Amor"

Which translates to : For the Love of Pork!

Next stop Istanbul

Riding Pillion

Manish and I had a moment about riding pillion.

As most of you know, I ride in full gear 99.99% of the time. It's all or nothing to coin a good friend's phrase. We camped at this dump that I compared to the backwater area's of Alabama where 1st cousins' marry and it was about 1 Km from town. I put a helmet on and then the debate started about wearing gloves, and boots, and jacket....imagine this is after a long day of riding, my favorite dress dropped in the mud during my outdoor shower, i'm hungry, it was the perfect storm which turned into no gear, no bike and a miserable walk to town in the sun and heat.

So we lightened the mood the next day with this funny photo and didn't argue about pillion for a short distance again.

Carla Punch, this photo is for you! (my personal trainer) I got this nasty bruise fighting with a gas pump.

Arrive Cappadocia and had fun in these small doorways.

Found my favorite restaurant, Old Cappadocia where Luke took me last year.

Finger sized stuffed grape leaves just like my father loves.

As if Cappadocia wasn't hot enough already!

The hard to beat Manti!

Funny Bug and VW Bus combo (people ignore no parking signs)

Andy our host in the area was flying this very balloon which passed right over our camp in the morning.

Goreme Valley

Ventilation hole or way to get rid of unwanted guests?

Underground cities, not for the claustrophobic or those with a sensitive nose, the 3 day old sweat smell was positively revolting. Only video if anyone really wants to see how scary this place is.

Clever red arrows to show you the way out, a real Disneyland maze.

Andy rode us around the area for some great on and off road tracks.

Andy's beloved Africa Twin.

Went to their favorite dinner place for guess what! Manti!

Next stop Ankara, the most ugly city in Turkey!

Konya and some awesome Pide

Left Anamur after a horrible horrible night which involved mediocre food for 100 TL, my keys dropping down a Turkish toilet and a sweat drenched night without sleep for a gorgeous mountain pass ride to Konya.

Hardly any cars on the road, twisties to satisfy the most discriminating rider. 

Arrived in Konya and unfortunately didn't meet up with Bontoa from ADV Rider who invited me from my blog last year....but did find a very nice hotel for 120 Euro's a night that gave me a 3 bed room. The luxury was quite welcome. We were not impressed with Konya on riding in but later walked about the city and found what was so special about it. The people.

For you Phoenix friends, my room number...307!

This adorable boy walked nearly a KM to show us where a special Mosque was instead of just pointing in the general direction and speaking to us in Turkish. 

Found this nice man to sell me a set of mirrors (one busted off the day before at a gas station getting off the center stand) and a skweek skweek horn for the handle bars

Next stop Sultanhani...Caravansarai

...Before the tour buses arrived.

Installed my new horn.

Not BMW approved.

Next stop Cappadocia!!!