We are now parked in a campground in southern Bulgaria, it’s hot and we have taken the day off to do some washing and odd tasks that needed to be done. The last week has gone very quickly and I find it hard to believe our Turkey adventure stage is over, but I must go back a few days to catch up with what we have done. A few pleasant days were spent at Camping Dereli, the usual housekeeping was done and we had time to read, walk along the beach etc. Saturday night we had dinner at the campsite restaurant as it was Anna’s birthday which was a lovely meal and a great evening. Sunday it was time to hit the road again, this time we were heading for Bergama, a small town which we thought would be ideal for a night passing through. Arriving on the outskirts of town we stopped to check out the campsite, spotting the green grass and pool the decision to stay was quickly made. Settling in for the night, conversations were had with an English couple and we discovered that the ruins of Pergamon were atop the hill by the town. Discussion was made privately and Clyde and Anna decided that they had enough of looking at old stones and we would go our separate ways for the day, meeting the next evening at a campground near Troia. We drove the camper into town, winding our way through busy streets as it was market day,we parked in a large dusty allotment that was next to a ruined Red Basilica.

After consulting a map we made our way up hill to the entrance to the gondola which is the easiest way to the top, paid 10tl ($6 aus) and had a pleasant 3 min. ride to the top. At the end of the ride we then had pass the tourist trinkets and pay our 20tl entry. We enjoyed wandering amongst the ruins and found it pleasant to be one of the few tourists around.

The day was warm and atop the hill, windy, but we found plenty to explore and winding our way down hill we discovered more ruins and mosaics that the bus in bus out tourists seem to miss. Finding ourselves getting closer to the base of the hill, we decided to go all the way and were soon back to the carpark where we started. Walking to the town centre we found it very busy, buses, cars, trucks, tractors and horse carts all sharing the narrow roads, we found a cash machine and while waiting for our turn were amused to see a car abandoned on the road and mayhem it caused. Cashed up again we stopped to buy a few groceries and started to walk back to our camper. Passing by a cafe the touts good humouredly offered us food and drink and it didn’t take much for us to decide we would sit and take the chance for a cold drink and bite to eat. Bringing out the coldest iced waters was greatly appreciated and we went on to enjoy a plate of kebab meat with bread and vegetables shared between two. By this time the afternoon was getting on and we still had about 200kms of driving to do to meet up with our friends.

Arriving late afternoon near Troia, we were ushered into the camping place by the owner and parked up next to the restaurant and were happy to be reunited with our travel companions. After a cooling shower, it was Ewout’s turn to cook dinner, he had been promising Clyde and Anna that he would cook spaghetti bolognaise before we parted and I only mention it because, 1. he rarely cooks and 2. It was surprisingly good, with little help from me. That night the local dogs took up residence under our vans and we had the unpleasant sound of them barking through the night. Ewout got up several times to shoo them away and resorted to getting out the water hose to spray them, trying to persuade them to move away. With little sleep we woke up to another hot day and debated the merits of visiting Troy, the only reason Ewout wanted to go was to see the wooden horse and have a photo of the koala next to it, we didn’t want to pay the 15tl to take a photo and we had all ruined out, (or abc) so the decision was made to head to the ferry crossing at Cannakale.

Driving onto the ferry we parked and went upstairs to the cafe for coffee, I asked Clyde if he had asked where this ferry was going and he said no, we then went on to ponder if we would arrive across the bay or if it was going to Istanbul. Lucky for us (and Clyde) it was the right one and we ohad a pleasant crossing to the Gallipoli peninsula. Driving off the ferry, trying to avoid the mayhem of pedestrians, scooters and a pushy Italian motorhome, we made our way through narrow street and onto the main road out of town.

One of the main places we said from the beginning of our trip plans was to see the Gallipoli peninsular, or rather the places of significance to us Aussies and the British. We drove to the Canakkale Destani Tanitim Merkezi. It is excellent. You move, as a group, through 11 rooms which show videos simulating what it was like during the planning and fighting of the war, the last room is a nationalistic pride video. We were approached by a person working there who speaks English, who was very helpful. The tour is in Tukish , but they provide you up with an audio guide in English and it takes about an hour to visit. We found it very worthwhile.

After the information centre we drove the one way route past various memorials and statues, by passing the last few we made our way to Anzac cove.

A beautiful cove with clear blue water, it is hard to imagine now what horrors occurred there, we took our photos and by this time we had enough and drove to the nearby campground at Hotel Kum. Our last evening together for the trip , we decided to have a barbecue, seated around the table we all enjoyed the meal and agreed that we had a wonderful time together and would part with regret. Hopefully not the last time we see each other was agreed. Our drive the next morning was north to our parting place and after our last shared coffees, we said tearful goodbyes, and so we go our separate ways.