Monday 23rd November – Istanbul to Erdek

Our final time of being woken up by the dawn Call to Prayer, since moving hotel rooms it sounds like the muezzin is outside our window with a megaphone.  But we both like the Call to Prayer, it’s very evocative echoing over Istanbul.

After packing up we hit the road again - as far as the ferry terminal. We took the ferry across the Sea of Marmara to Yalova to cut out some 180km of driving through what is meant to be the industrial side of Istanbul.  It was a nice relaxing 1h15m in the brilliant sunshine and a good way to get back into travelling. SPOT

From Yalova we drove to Bandirma and onto nearby Erdek, where the map showed a couple of campsites, although we had no detailed information.  We looked out for signs and ended up at a basic site somewhat lacking in hygiene, although the owner mentioned something about Turkish music later.  It transpired that this was the place for the local men to come for raki, a chat and to listen to live music.  In summer they go until 0500, but luckily they finish a bit earlier this time of year.  We were invited in for a cup of tea by the electric fire and food was cooked up before we went upstairs to have a listen to the singing, which was strangely enjoyable compared to the tunes we’ve heard on the radio.  We made our excuses about 2300 for a slightly disturbed sleep, what with the music continuing until 0100, people coming and going and then a dog paying a visit in the early hours for a good bark. SPOT