On the turquoise coast

Given the hotness of the afternoons we have back our daily mileage a little and go for about 300 km today so that we get to our hotel by about 2pm. And it certainly did get hotter. In one town where I pulled up for traffic lights the temperature read 39.5 deg C which is hot! We started off in the morning at a balmy and cool 25 deg but it rapidly got to the average 37 deg mark. When you are moving on the bike it is not too uncomfortable in the heat but you notice when you stop.

We by pass the city of Izmir which us the third biggest city in Turkey. This is close enough thanks.

And we pass the turn off to Ephesus ( which is also known by its abbreviated name of Efes. That is also the name of the most popular beer in Turkey. I am flabbergasted that the Romans named the city of Ephesus after their favourite beer! They were a sophisticated race.

We stop for breaks every 100 km because of the heat and some of the roadside cafes are lovely and friendly. Here is a " preening station" for the ladies

The landscape looks like something out of the American Wild West

Just before the hotel we catch up on theses two " Adonisis's" on their bikes. Are they Roman or Greek Gods ? They obviously think they are immortal anyway

And we arevery hot when get to our hotel. It has a swimming pool - yahoo ! And a windmill !

Might I also say the roads are in Turkey are generally superb with a large amount of dual carriageways.

It occurred to me that a large number of the Syrian refugees must have crossed the same coastal road we are following. The Greek Islands are tantalising close and we can easily see them in the distance. There are no signs of refugees ( yet!) but we have seen several instances of police road blocks and checks of vehicles going the other way. Sobering stuff !

Tomorrow - a very short day to Kas and a bit of a rest in a resort hotel.

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The last post!

How do you summarise a motorbike trip around the world from Tokyo to Los Angeles?. With difficulty! Well we are not into record setting. But we believe we are the oldest couple in the world to ride a motorbike “ two up” ie with pillion passenger, right round the world on one season Let’s start off with the statistics for the little trip - Total mileage. 34,416 km * No of days travelling 165 No of countries visited 29 Max temp on bike 41 deg C Min temp on bike 0 deg.C No of punctures. One No of breakdowns. One

Chapters 1 and 2

WHY MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES ? I have always been interested in adventure. Over the years I have climbed mountains, parachuted, had my private pilots licence, dived, sailed and done various adventurous pursuits (with various degrees of success I might add!). Motorcycling has been one of the later activities. Why motorcycles? Firstly it is all a bit easier on the body as one gets a little bit older. This is of course on the assumption that one does not inadvertently part company suddenly with said machine! Secondly, it does also require a bit of brain power - intellect you might say if that does not sound snobby. There is also, to me, an element of "man and machine" about motorcycling. Then if that is not enough justification in itself there is the scenery and the absorption into the landscape you are passing through. On a bike you see much much more than in a car, bus or train. You are aware of nuances in the landscape, you smell the smells and you become more than just

And a volcano stopped us!

What a day. First thing this morning it was off to check the rear tyre of the bike. Oh the relief ! The tyre was rock solid and the same pressure as after fixing yesterday. So it is a pack up and first day on the road today. We get on the way with a just a little bit of nervous excitement. On to the Japanese motorway system we go. And what a delight. The traffic is orderly, calm not going to fast and not too thick. We track right in towards Tokyo itself before bearing West. Yes, there were lots of spaghetti junctions - It looks like The Los Angeles motorway system but it is so much easier (and slower). Japanese politeness really shows thru’. However there were lots of toll booths - we had chopped thru about NZ$50 in the first hour and a half Then we are on to the slow bit and off the motorways. It was about a four hour stop and start crawl thru the urban sprawl of greater Tokyo. However I did find time for some serious reflection - I also saw a hotel called - and I kid you not

Hubbard Motorcycle Adventures

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