Day 7: Karamürsel to Yalova (Turkey)

I woke up at 6:00 AM to the sound of the *adhan* (call to prayer).

The shirts I had washed the night before were dry.

Since I couldn't find an affordable place to eat yesterday, I had made do with the fruit and bread I’d brought along for dinner.

After showering and packing my gear, I had breakfast just before 8:00 AM.

Today, instead of a buffet, a single plate with a pre-portioned meal was brought to me.

It’s great to get some nutrition from things like cheese and eggs.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen any Chinese restaurants here; I spotted just one sushi place in Istanbul. Does that mean Turkish people simply love Turkish cuisine that much?

There was a large dog in the restaurant.

It had a look on its face that seemed to say, "If you're offering something, I'll take it" (lol).

Set off at 8:20 AM.

It’s sunny again today, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 26°C.

Heading to Yalova, 28 kilometers away. The coastal road is mostly flat.

Switched onto the D575 highway from Karamürsel and continued heading west.

Traffic is light in areas without towns, but the volume picks up suddenly once you enter a built-up area.

Stopped to shop at a "Şok" supermarket in Çiftlikköy along the way.

I bought some cup noodles; I hadn't really seen them in Turkey before, but they had one variety available.

Turkish supermarkets don't carry as wide a range of products as those in Japan. They don't sell prepared side dishes (*sozai*), and there are hardly any canned goods. What they do have in abundance are snacks and chocolates.

Dining out and accommodation can be expensive in Turkey, but aside from that, it’s a very easy country to travel in.

Once you get used to the roads, they aren't a problem, and at the very least, you don't have to worry about getting hopelessly lost while trying to find your route.

On past trips, I’ve often found myself at the mercy of Google Maps. 

An angel-like kitty that suddenly appeared when I was tired.

Around 1:30 PM, I finished the day's run—covering 26.6 km—at a hotel in Yalova.

Tomorrow, I’ll head inland and continue south, covering the 36 km to Gemlik.

The weather is set to take a turn for the worse starting tomorrow. I’ll push hard to reach Bursa.

Today's distance: 26.6 km

Total distance from Istanbul: 161.1 km

*Click here for photos taken today

*Click here for the video playlist