What a day of experiences! Not much cycling, but a lot of excitement and lumps in throats crossing the border into Turkey (at least a lump in my throat). It feels kind of like a coming-of-age as a world cycler. We have left the ‘west’ and are in TURKEY, having cycled here from our European homes – Holland for me and England for James!
Entering into Turkey
But first into Greece. Our passports were thoroughly checked. I was asked where the stamp from Blato was from. I couldn’t remember. James started to say Macedon…, saw the border guard’s ashen face, and then bit is tongue. FYROM – The Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia. We got our passports back.
Entering Greece
More long, straight, flat roads in Greece
I may be entering the realm of world cyclers, but, I still scream like a baby receiving a turkish massage. James and I went to the local hamman for a thorough clean and massage. Lying on the marble podium, I stared up at the domed ceiling with the patterns of stars and hexagons letting the light in from outside. There were drips of water which reverberated across the dome. I was called first for the massage. Man it hurt, but if felt good afterwards. I screamed, and also giggled. The masseur also snickered – in a fun way. I felt wonderfully clean and relaxed. James didn’t utter a whimper.
After the hamman
Our kind warm-showers host owns a bike shop, and it is a hive of activity in the shop, and the neighbouring restaurant. People passed by constantly and welcomed us to Turkey. We also met a Croatian couple that have just cycled from China. Lots of stories to hear. Not many to tell – yet. It feels like a different world we are entering, and I am very excited.
The mosque at Edirne
At our warm showers host in Edirne
arctic-cycler.com 
That really is a transition, moving across the traditional east/west divide. How exciting. And all these other cycle travellers you are meeting – it’s very inspiring, as is your journey.
All the best for your “Turkey leg”. 🙂 (yes, a very lame joke)
Hey. Thanks! It’s been an amazing and enjoyable trip! 🙂
Hi Matthey and James
I still enjoy every day your adventures and I hope to read a lot more in the future.
Matthey did I read that you have a break in your worldtour somewhere ?
And I was looking on internet but I believe that Turkey until Istanbul is STILL EUROPEAN.
Have a lot of fun together and remember that I enjoy your journey as much as you both do only I don’t have to cycle.
Ton Smeets
Hi Ton. Yes. Istanbul is my endpoint for the winter, although my flight to Australia for the winter break is on December 5. I might do a bit more cycling before then. We’ll see.
The European-Asian border is the Bosphorus, and that is where i am now – in Istanbul.