Marty Island, Turkey

[L]

Once upon a time, there were three expats based in/around Istanbul - me, ExpatinIstanbul and K. One summer's weekend they decide to go to Cannakale for the weekend. It didn't quite turn out that way in the end... and this is a short story about their adventures...

So we agree to meet up in Maslak, Istanbul, just post morning rush hour. I get there early then realise I've left the bike papers and my phone at home, so a quick dash back to pick them up and arrive ten minutes late. Then its off...

I;ve rigged the camera up on the handlebar RAM Mount. The pics are a bit vibey...

 

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Its about 4 hours to get to Gallipoli, then a little further over the Dardenelles to Cannakale. We decide to take the back roads as soon as poss, fighting our way through the local wildlife, and taking on some of the many unfinished roads

 

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We stop off in Gallipoli for a quick drink and a survey of the local ferries, before deciding where to head next... the north coast of the peninsula for a beach to camp out on...

 

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Off we head to a beach I've seen before. Its not too far and about 5:30 when we arrive.

 

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we'd stopped off in Eceabat for some bread and things. We'd come prepared with alcohol. We combed the beach for wood and settled in for the night...

Unfortunately, by morning, our heads didn't think we'd settled for very long, and neither did ExpatinIstanbul's tent... something to do with K trying out a bit of "tent diving" during the night (its like stage diving, but you rely on tents to keep you up. It doesn't work!)

 

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As we packed up, we decided to change plans and head for the island we'd seen. Its called Gokceada, but we renamed it later as Marty Island. (a long story which I won't go into...)

 

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The island is pretty. Pretty small, Pretty volcanic, Pretty much dominated by the Turkish Commando units based there, Pretty much local entertainment for local people, and pretty much dead in the evening. A bit like my camera.

A quick whizz around the island saw us on some excellent roads and then "windsurfers beach" for a drink. We got speaking to a local barman who said "there is no bars or music on the island". He was right. We found a hotel in the town centre (40 Lire including Breakfast) which meant we couldn't justify another camping night (thank god - there was sand everywhere...including the insides of my camera!). Our entertainment for the evening involved setting up a mock stall in the local nick-nacks market using bits of rubbish lying around. and yes, we even attracted a potential customer... (grey top)

The following morning, we got the 11:30 ferry, desperate to get off the island. The wind had picked up and the ferry left into a headwind. Waves crashed over the front, but luckily our bikes were on the back...

 

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We headed back, had a quick whizz around some of the Anzac memorials before heading home the long way round. Stopped off at Silivri for some dinner and got home about 10pm.
The End

Note to self. Must take more pics when not p!ssed!
2nd Note to self. Don't use the camera on the beach. Sand gets everywhere!

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Might I clarify that a "quick whizz" around the Anzac memorials does not infer that we relieved ourselves in close proximity to them.

 

[Commuter]

Looks like you had some fun.........Will be passing by there in less than a week on the great escape to northern europe

 

[Deleted account W]

Like the idea of beech camping, thanks for the report L

 

[L]

Whatton - there wasn't a tree in site.... only sand and sea!

 

[GS TRV]

nice report Dude

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Gokceada....now renamed Marty Island. A small population, a tight-knit community, all friends are family, if you know what I mean.

 

[Popeye]

Whatton - there wasn't a tree in site.... only sand and sea!

Secondary school education