Coming from Vienna, this time we drove via Hungary in the direction of Belgrade, where we had decided in advance for another campsite right on the banks of the Danube.
The Hungarian variant of toll collection is interesting: you pay the corresponding fee before entering Hungary, whereby the license plate number of the vehicle is registered. On several occasions we saw people in control vehicles at the side of the road who only compared the number plates of the passing cars with the stored data. As a receipt, there was a signed receipt, which eliminates the hassle of removing a sticker after the period of validity has expired. Good solution!
Towards evening, however, serious road construction measures near Belgrade made it impossible for us to reach the approach to the planned campsite. An exit to turn around was only reached after thirty kilometres, so we decided to continue towards Nis. A sign pointing to a motel with attached camping area about 40 kilometres behind Belgrade gave us hope for a well-deserved camp for the night. In our article "The Ruins of Stobi" we already reported about the rooks and their deafening noise.
To paraphrase our alternative destination even remotely as a campsite would really be an exaggeration. Overnight parking is better. However, we needed electricity, which initially displeased the operator. After a lot of talking and some back and forth, a line was laid in the motel.
When we then also asked for water, we couldn't believe our ears at first: water ran out! At first we didn't really want to believe him, but then the operator actually showed us the defective pump. He had laboriously collected a few bowls of water, of which he still wanted to leave a bowl for us. Now it was really uncomfortable for us, because this motel operator was really not to be envied. Hardly anything still worked. Suddenly it became clear why he was so reluctant to provide electricity at first, the lines to the outside were simply dilapidated. We were very surprised the following morning, because we counted 15 people who had stayed in this motel despite everything.
We continued early in the morning, already excited to see what absurdities or special features the campsite in Kavala might have to offer. And indeed, there was a first surprise ready at the entrance to the town: the Kavala bypass was closed due to road construction work. It doesn't matter, we thought, we do have an up-to-date navigation program. That's right, .....and the caravan went through narrow streets and really steeply downhill to the next main street. How good the decision to buy a heavy four-wheel drive vehicle had been!
The campsite was part of a hotel complex, was quite idyllically situated under pine trees with small but neatly bordered and separated plots, but had not yet officially opened the season. The entrance gate was invitingly wide open, the computers in reception and the surveillance system were also running, .... only there was no staff to be found. We looked for a plot next to what appeared to be an inhabited caravan on the site and lo and behold, the electricity connection worked and the toilets and showers were also in operation. Even hot water was available. What more does the camper want.
After a restful night without noisy rooks, we met the campsite staff in the morning, made our subsequent registration and continued towards Gelibolu a little later. Only on the drive out of Kavala did we see the large Roman viaduct in the middle of town, where it was not possible to park for some photos. Since we will pass Kavala again in 6 weeks, the photo session is just postponed. Perhaps a note on shopping: If you want to travel to Turkey for a few weeks on vacation without missing out on certain products you know, you have the option of shopping in well-known German chain stores in Alexandroupolis, about 40 kilometres from the border replenish the supplies. In terms of price, it is always interesting, because Turkey is no longer the "cheap" holiday destination in many areas. This applies in particular to diesel fuel.
The control at the Greek-Turkish border was rather relaxed because we were able to present all the necessary papers based on the experience of the past few years. This time, too, there was a welcome by name at the first control barrier, since it was clear who wanted to enter the country as soon as the number plate was read. It is actually only important for all people entering Turkey to carry a written power of attorney, translated into Turkish and certified by a Turkish consulate, to use the vehicle if this is not registered in the person of the importer. This applies in particular to company vehicles, even if the managing director uses the vehicle.
After a few minutes we had already left the checkpoint of the border station, drove first to Keşan and then in the direction of Gelibolu to the ferry to Lapseki. Only the first part of the road towards Keşan is really bad, then it gets noticeably better. The signalman on the ferry sent us into the left lane, despite our advice that we would hardly have enough room to pull out after docking in Lapseki, for which he then received a big rebuke from the captain. Caravan users can only be advised not to follow such instructions, because manoeuvring takes a lot of time and even more patience. So always choose one of the two middle lanes on four-lane ferries.
A little later we were already on the well-developed coastal road towards Izmir. We had already phoned an employee of the campsite in Kücükkuyu on the ferry, so that we were already expected. Here, too, the season hadn't actually opened yet, but the manager and employees were still there. A last phone call shortly before arrival and they were ready to escort us through the narrow gateway into the olive grove. At first there was some scepticism here, too, because the mature trees were quite close together. But with the help of the employees, the manoeuvring succeeded without any problems. A turning point was also quickly found for driving out the following day, so that the towing vehicle and caravan did not even have to be separated. We hadn't aligned the caravan yet when the first Çay was already on the table that was also provided. Two chairs were also quickly brought up. One can only say again and again, no matter how you feel about the political development of the country, the people in Turkey are extremely helpful and courteous, respect.
The extension of our satellite antenna was also observed with interest. We were also curious about the internet reception, because the trees were quite close together. But it worked right away and we were still able to process our mails.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we continued our journey to Izmir to the Oba campsite in Güzelbahce, at least in terms of space, a good opportunity to visit downtown Izmir with its agora, the clock tower and the bazaar, even if the sanitary facilities leave a lot to be desired. The main focus here is on guests for the holiday apartments, camping is only slowly gaining ground. Nevertheless, we would recommend the place at any time. That evening we drove to Izmir to see the new location of the Goethe Institute and how to get there.
A good idea, as it turned out later, because it is a really lively street and the drivers of Izmir Park in double rows on the thoroughfare, which then no longer allow encounters. Anxious drivers are therefore advised to switch to public transport.
On site, however, we saw that the road in front of the Goethe Institute had already been blocked off with foresight, so that tomorrow was the official opening of our tour "Understanding and cultural journey along Roman roads" as part of the 60th anniversary of the Goethe Institute in Izmir could start.
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