Eastern Turkey

Location: Kars
Mileage:  3,502

Along the route in Turkey, we get to see the weird and wonderful rock formations and cave dwellers in Cappadocia. 




It’s a 4am start to take a hot air balloon to silently drift over them as dawn rises. Serene and breathtaking views.   From here it’s the Fish Springs – where we all soak in big warn tanks as small fish eat away our dead skin . . .

Then it’s our practice river crossing day. I’ve stuck this in the route as I know there’s going to be some bigger river stuff waiting in Tajikistan, so let’s get the group to try out something basic first. Tackled successfully by all, except Max on his F800GS, who both go for a quick dive. (Look at www.youtube.com/globebusters). Luckily Max bounces and rolls well and so does the bike. 

We finish of the day, in a local restaurant and the speciality of the areas – “testes”! It would be easy to think these belong to the undercarriage of a bull, but luckily for us, it’s a way of cooking kebab in a clay pot that is then broken to eat the food. Phew!