We are getting braver in our travels! We are off on another adventurous trip, this time to the east of Turkey which is far less visited than the west of the country. Sue came here in the 1970s so we’re sure it’s changed somewhat (at least we hope so). We’ll be picking up a car in Kayseri in Cappadoccia, and then driving to the start of our trip in Gazientap, near the site of the terrible earthquake in 2023. We’ll then travel anti-clockwise, more or less. We’ll be covering areas which border Syria, Iraq, Iran, Armenia and Georgia although, rest assured, we’ll stay away from the areas near the borders.
We’ll be away 10 May until 31 May and hoping to take the right clothes with us as it could be very hot and/or very cold given mountains, high plains, lakes and the humid Black Sea. Sue will pack one thermal vest at least. We’re hoping to see the oldest religious site in the world, Kurdish culture, stone heads at the top of a mountain, Lake Van, Mount Ararat (supposedly the site of Noah’s Ark), mosaics, Diyarbakir … all those layers and layers of history and peoples which interest us so much.
We hope to be travelling with our friend Nikhil from India. Given that this is a very traditional area of Turkey, we’re sure his presence as a man will be helpful (and he is a great travel companion as well, of course).
We’ll try to keep you entertained with our observations, photos of people, food, landscapes, archaeology (a lot of that I suspect) and anything else that catches our eye. We’ll do our best to give some context to what we’re seeing without going on too much.
And we’d love to have comments if you feel like making them – Sue will do her best to respond with her driest wit.
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Do check out the map which outlines our journey – you can always refer back to it by clicking the link in the menu at the top of this page. More to come …
Safe travels, intrepid travellers
Safely in Istanbul in a very nice hotel – pouring with rain and quite chilly but have my thermal vest so feeling fine!
Enjoy! Hope it’s everything you’re looking forward to!!!
Me too! Am hopeful for adventures and things that make me laugh…
I’m so excited by this trip, so many layers of history as you say. Good luck on your adventures.
Yes, serious layering involved – will try and read up intelligently on the history/ archeology we’ll be seeing.
Wow- amazing itinerary! Safe travels and looking forward to seeing more of your great photos. Mxxx
There’s a photo of our kitsch but completely charming hotel room tonight – rose petals ( no, of course not real ones) on the bed, tiny electric candles and gilt furniture – which probably won’t make it to the blog but it’s very endearing…
Have a great trip! We’ll leave from the Armenian side of Ararat but I think you’ll be long gone.
Wave not leave
Ah yes, not waving but leaving ( sorry, it’s actually the other way round but not as funny)
We Will however think of you and Charlie as we gaze on Mt. Ararat….
Have a safe journey, you intrepid things – and say hi to Nikhil from us!
We definitely will – the ceasefire between India and Pakistan means he’s definitely on his way. He tells us that there’s a wave ( wavelet/ ripple?) of public opinion in India saying Indians shouldn’t go to Turkey
The map looks challenging and exciting. All best wishes for a wonderful journey – which I also am looking forward to reading!
And we look forward to your comments and queries, dear T!
What an incredibly exciting trip this looks to be! One I might want to take myself.
We shall report back in full, dear K, when we speak next. We’re now deep in a Kurdish and Arab area – feels a long way from Istanbul.
I had a look at the map. I’m sure it will be a fascinating trip. Looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing your accounts.
Thank you, Blaize – only day 3 , it’s already bafflingly interesting and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming – many tales to tell.
Never could get on with raki, however desperate for alcohol.
We’ve found the odd hole in the wall shop that sells wine double wrapped in brown paper so it doesn’t clink and give us away on our travels in Morocco! Tanger is slightly more relaxed.
Looking forward to your tales. It’s been 35 years since I was in eastern Turkey so it will interesting to see what has changed.
I have a sinking feeling I was here 50 years ago – feels very weird just to write that! Alcohol less and less available but many other compensations particularly the sheer warmth of people. That said, glad you’ve managed to brown bag supplies…