DAY 30 - GAZIPASA

30) WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY 1977 : 181KMS. - GAZIPASA

After our several days staying in ANTALYA, today we left the beach heading to southeast through the city and along the coast. We passed banana plantations on both roadsides until we reached the beach, not far from GAZIPASA to camp overnight.

Photo - guanches.org / Bing images search

In the evening, we had grilled fishes for dinner at a restaurant near the beach. Later on in the evening three French guys came to camp overnight near where we camped.  We did not talk with them much but knowing that they were traveling in the opposite direction to us.

Photo : Bing images search

When we arrived in the afternoon at the beach, we  met a young fisherman and we asked to accompany him for fishing in his rowing boat. TILO was too strong to row the fishing boat till the paddle was broken.

DAY 29 - ANTALYA

29) TUESDAY, 26 JULY 1977 : 0KMS. - ANTALYA

I got Diarrhea since the morning, it might cause by anything, likely from grapes given by the girls at the beach  or it might be the ice or ice cream we had.  This tells us to be more careful in eating as we came from Europe and the weather is getting warmer. There are also more  flies that might  contaminate our food.

TILO had abdominal pain and ran "to the field" many times even though I gave him Thai herbal medicine "Krissana Glun"  (new generation  today would not know about this medicine) against stomachache, as well as Western medicine against it but it did not help much. So he had to stay in bed all day.  

Antalya beach - Photo : Bing images search

I was  not affected so much and  went to swim and  played with those young  Turks who have come to the beach for swimming during the last  2-3 days. We were so familiar and I was persuaded to swim out with them to the sand dune not far from the beach for  waves surfing together. The waves were big and strong. Anyhow , it was fun and we enjoyed  a good  challenge ! 

DAY 28 - ANTALYA

28) MONDAY, 25 JULY 1977 : 0KMS. - ANTALYA

We drove to the nearby town  ALANYA , about 10 kms. Away from ANTALYA to have the engine condition checked up  at the proper service station ( garage)  of  Benz. 

Antalya - Photo : scenicreflections.com / Bing images search

They began checking the engine around  2.00 pm. and it took several  hours to complete it until about  6.00 pm. They had to wait for the engine to cool down in order to reset it again. Then we drove back to sleep overnight on the same beach.

DAY 27 - ANTALYA

27) SUNDAY, 24 JULY 1977 : 0KMS. - ANTALYA

My left ear have been ringing since yesterday, I felt it the whole day and became better only in the evening.  Today is the last day here. Tomorrow we should go on our way…. after having rest for several days. 

Turkish grease (oil) wrestling - Photo : Bing images search

Photo - Bing images search

Since we have been here,  we have a chance to watch Turkish  wrestling by those Turks young and adults coming to the beach. They all enjoyed doing it. It seems very popular and should be a national sport, like our Thai boxing.

There are people paying attention to our camper van, even children.  The came to peep into the interior and talk to us. Mostly we used sign language in communicating with them , I even spoke Thai with them since it did not make any difference any how --- but  some fun as they listened to me, either understanding or not.

Photo : euroasianet.com / Bing images search

Most Turkish women came to swim in the sea here did not wear bathing suits, one piece or two-pieces !  May be they were villagers with usual  attires, a whole series of long sleeves blouses and pants - even their headscarves were not removed.  It seems to be primarily religious practices as teachings of the Islamic religion to ban naked woman legs, arms and the heads  whenever in public.

Antalya beach - Photo : Bing images search

People came to the beach mostly by trucks together  or by carts or carriages . Some of them also drove here with their farming  tractors.  How simple life it is, not much different from my country Thailand.

DAY 26 - ANTALYA

26) SATURDAY, 23 JULY 1977 : 0KMS. - ANTALYA

Resting at the beach near ANTALYA, we enjoyed swimming in the sea for another day.    

A young Turkish guy, ALI, selling watermelons and drinking bottled water on the beach kindly invited us to have dinner with his parents. They welcomed us very friendly.