Dear Sufi Trail friend ,

Autumn is slowly making way for winter, and with it a different way of travelling. The vibrant colours of the autumn leaves are fading and the days are getting shorter. For many people, this means that the need for warmth and cosiness is increasing.
And we are mostly getting more and more appreciative of the journeys made and the people we meet. 
Digesting your luck and experiences of the year all come together when you finally sit down and relax after yet again amazing journeys with lovely people. Hope all of you readers had a similar year.
Already we are getting ready to embark on a mystical journey along the Sufi Trail for next year, where ancient wisdom illuminates the path to inner peace.

When you're warm and comfy, it's time to listen to our podcasts: 

• Sufi Trail guidebook part 1 
  • Iris Bezuijen & Sedat Çakır
• mini biography of Mevlana
  • Mohamed El-Fers

Love,
Iris Bezuijen & Sedat Çakır 

• Listening to the Sufi podcast
• Hikingcaravaan 2025
• Cycling fun and mountains
• Love the Turkish news style
• Mevlana biography, podcast

We met in Ormanika, Ahmet Yigit's campsite. Linda Pijl welcomed us very kindly in Yalova, and we have already been pushed a bit by the rain. Unfortunately, we had to skip Bilecik because of that. In Osmaneli, our guardian angel has again provided everyone with a nice stamp, and we are currently resting in Eskişehir.

Everything is going well, except for Jopi's bike problem, but Hasan and his friend are so kind to drive all the way 500 km to Ankara and back, so that they can repair the bike there. A lot is always arranged in Türkiye, so that Jopi's trip can still go ahead.

The rest of the group goes to the hamam with Mehmet to get a good scrubbing. We will go to the highlands at dawn. I am already looking forward to the Taurus Mountains, but for now, we will enjoy our Sufi adventure to Konya.

Just a small pick from the places we stay there a adventure on their own. We try to use our tent as much as we can, but we also have made some good friends along the Sufi Trail who have welcomed us already so many years and have lovely places to rest, eat and enjoy each other's company.

There is nothing new under the sun, so stop buying and keep going. But we have to love the Turkish news. As soon as we cycle with our group in Türkiye, we get spotted and newsagents come to film us and interview, in this case Wim and Ellie.

It's really great to be on the road, mostly we get asked how do we sleep and if we like Türkiye?
And we all know we love it, and the hospitality of the people really is one of a kind.
But also the news reporters, thank you again for making us news.

One more note on our cycling caravan is that you really do not need much! Al you need for years fits in two little bags. Often we feel more healthy on the road than at home. 
And if necessary, you really do only need one T-shirt for a long time.

It was really a great group and our cycling caravan became a family along the way because you share 24 hours together and this is something else entirely that a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon.