Day: February 13, 2006

Asia is in front of us, in the snow.  Stress was at peak pitch this morning because leaving Istanbul is not easy.  Many thanks to a nice Turkish man who guided us to the road to Cumhuriyet.  

The new team didn’t have time to think before it was thrown into this race against the clock where everything is timed.  The feeders were stressed to the point that they even poured some water on Serge.  All was forgiven quickly.  The atmosphere was more relaxed when we got out of the city.  What a superb decor in the midst of a pine forest, beautiful homes and select restaurants. Obviously,  we were going through a very posh suburb.

At kilometer 43, Serge joined the national road D020 which connects Istanbul to Sile.  It’s a very beautiful, straight road that takes the city dwellers to the seaside where they can breathe fresh air.  Sile is a resort on the Black Sea that attracts thousands of people in the summer. No swimming for us  because Sile is deserted and covered in snow.

Following a slow start, Serge made up lost time after kilometer 33, when he quickened his pace.

Concerning the GPS points.  Many of you are accompanying us via Google Earth and when I don’t include the GPS information there are unhappy followers.

See you tomorrow with new adventures!