Flat lands and fireplace picnics

(Near) Finike to Mevlikent

Distance: 42 km
Time elapsed: 2 hr 37 min
Average speed: 15.8 km/ hr
Max speed: 44.3 km/ hr
Temp: 35 C
Weather: Hot but many cool beaches


Another cool morning of bobbing slopes and hidden beach coves...


Awake before the sun!


This steep edge was hard to balance

Chris and I made our way to the town of Finike, first bypassing it and following the long stretch of seemingly deserted beach onward, then turning back because we realized we had no money and this may be our last chance for a bank today.


Our private beach

Actually I was glad afterward that we visited the town. The bank was shut for a long lunch break, so we waited across the street eating bowls of merçimek çorbasi (lentil soup), then wandered through some former han now shopping center to a gas shop. I needed a new ocak piknik (that's fireplace picnic in Shqip!), or gas canister, for my bumbola. The two men in the shop, which doubles as a Hayat water distributor, were absolutely delighted to meet us and sat us down for tiny glasses of Turkish tea. They spoke very little English but through the help of their dictionary we were able to carry on a lengthy conversation. We showed them my blog, with photos going back through Yunnanistan (Greece) and stories from Arnevutluk (Albania), I think thoroughly convincing them that we're insane.


Ali and Receb, our new buddies (thanks for the free water!)


Pide and mercimek= biking power

Finally leaving town we again followed the long stretch of beach, a comfortable 15 km of flat, though horribly paved, road. We must be here just before they repave everything, because the asphalt is so rocky with patches and in many areas we can see new sidewalk construction.

Along the beach there is a fairly deep forest, the perfect camp ground. It's so nice to see something that hasn't been cleared out for hotel development.


All sand and no hotels makes Courtney a happy girl...

Passing through the village of Mevlivent, which is full of greenhouses but apparently known for their marble (seen the name posted on many marble roadside springs), we slowly made our way around another large army base. Once around and back on the beach, the sun had set so we pitched our tent on another windy stretch of sand.