Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Turkey Related Subjects => Places to Visit => Topic started by: Findik on August 15, 2013, 17:29:27 PM

Title: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on August 15, 2013, 17:29:27 PM: It is so easy to visit all over Turkey by bus from Fethiye, as long as you don't mind the long bus journeys, which can be very interesting. Amasya well worth a visit, 18 hours from Fethiye.
I have also just completed a fantastic 8 day tour of Eastern Turkey starting at Trabzon which was 23 hours by bus from Fethiye and coming back from Diyabakir 25 hours. The tour visited everywhere of interest inbetween these towns. Travelling along the borders of Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq. The journey back from Diyabakir was very close to the Syrian border although I was a lone female traveller I experienced no problems. So many incredible and beautiful sights to see in Eastern Turkey I recommend it to you all.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: ovacik2 on September 03, 2013, 12:01:52 PM: Admire your travel stamina Findik. Was the 8 day private or organised? Was the accommodation
pre booked? Sounds great no easy way to see that area of Turkey. Any other information?
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: KKOB on September 03, 2013, 17:58:58 PM: A friend and I drove up from Fethiye to Sivas a few years ago for the Kangal Festival. It's amazing how the landscape and culture changes as you travel across Turkey.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: nichola on September 03, 2013, 22:07:47 PM: Hope you will post some photos Findik - did a similar trip along the borders with my mum from Kars to Van all on local transport no pre-booked accommodation and it was great with some amazing scenery and sights.

Locals were very friendly and kind and we were always being invited in for cups of tea to people's homes.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: SuzzPuss on September 03, 2013, 22:43:56 PM: I'd love to see photos too Findik. That all sounds fascinating. Something I think we'd both love to do. Very brave doing it alone though. I'm glad to hear that it was OK.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 04, 2013, 12:34:13 PM: Sorry I am not great on the computer and don't no how to put photos on here. The 8 day trip from Trabzon to Diaybakir was pre booked with Alkans Tours but all passengers except me cancelled, So the boss 'Sabahttin' took me by ourselves. What a fantastic trip and Sabhttin was a perfect gentleman with an incredible knowledge of the history of the area and he spoke perfect English.
I now know all the places I want to go back to and am prepared to do it by myself.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Highlander on September 04, 2013, 13:07:57 PM: Findik - if you have them stored on your computer simply click on Add image to post just above this box, then click on browse on the following page, slect the photo you want to post and click Upload It.

Hope this helps :)
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 05, 2013, 22:50:40 PM: Thanks Highlander. Did try to upload photos but even though I reduced size to thumbnail it still told me they were too large?
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 08:33:56 AM: (http://s7.postimg.org/8xcdfemrr/P1010576.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/8xcdfemrr/)
I Managed it. This is Sumela Monastery outside Trabzon.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 08:44:36 AM: (http://s22.postimg.org/lszlt2yz1/P1010866.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/lszlt2yz1/)
The ruins of Ani near Kars.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 08:47:32 AM: (http://s23.postimg.org/rbnwltdjb/P1020017.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rbnwltdjb/)
Isak Pasa Sarayi Dogubeyazit.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 08:49:09 AM: (http://s18.postimg.org/cqhkhby6d/P1010970.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cqhkhby6d/)
Mt Ararat.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 08:51:07 AM: (http://s10.postimg.org/ocjrctwr9/P1020502.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ocjrctwr9/)
Looking into Syria from Mardin.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 08:53:13 AM: (http://s11.postimg.org/u7jifv8z3/P1020412.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/u7jifv8z3/)
Mardin.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 08:55:08 AM: I took over 1000 photos. Let me know if you want me to put any more on now I know how to do it.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Scunner on September 06, 2013, 08:59:40 AM: Yes please :)
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:06:40 AM: (http://s22.postimg.org/rxdc16mx9/P1020186.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rxdc16mx9/)
In the front are temporary homes made for the residents of Van after there big earthquake. As soon as more flats are built they move in and the empty temporary homes are being shipped to the Syrian border for the refugees.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:08:53 AM: (http://s24.postimg.org/7au4wgte9/P1020196.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/7au4wgte9/)
Lake Van.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:10:21 AM: (http://s22.postimg.org/xtlid6nbh/P1020166.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/xtlid6nbh/)
One of the famous Van cats. Note the eyes,
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:12:37 AM: (http://s16.postimg.org/otfrm6u7l/P1020561.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/otfrm6u7l/)
A sherbert seller in Diayabakir.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:13:58 AM: (http://s13.postimg.org/xsesndrtv/P1020586.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/xsesndrtv/)
A water seller in Diayabakir.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:18:50 AM: (http://s23.postimg.org/cb5d9n35z/P1020092.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cb5d9n35z/)
Hosap Castle .
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:21:39 AM: (http://s23.postimg.org/hff0gt7t3/P1020523.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hff0gt7t3/)
The walls of Diaybakir.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:24:07 AM: (http://s7.postimg.org/mcmj2dozr/P1020330.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/mcmj2dozr/)
It was interesting crossing the oil fields.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:29:43 AM: (http://s7.postimg.org/asqw1tupz/P1010615.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/asqw1tupz/)
A tea factory on the Georgian border that looked as if it was about to explode.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 09:32:49 AM: (http://s15.postimg.org/yexcf585z/P1010969.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/yexcf585z/)
That is all for now. Must start to pack as go back to Turkey monday. Just can't keep away. Will be in Calis part of my 2 month stay if anyone wants first hand information.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 11:43:40 AM: Just a few more to wet your appetite.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 11:46:46 AM: (http://s23.postimg.org/6pdxw08nb/IMG_0313.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6pdxw08nb/)
Amasya near Samsun.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 11:51:17 AM: (http://s24.postimg.org/v5dq7ifv5/IMG_0242.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/v5dq7ifv5/)
Amasya, reportedly the prettiest town in Turkey.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 11:52:38 AM: (http://s24.postimg.org/pnzd8b5qp/00201.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/pnzd8b5qp/)
Nemrut.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 11:53:54 AM: (http://s14.postimg.org/d6wck7vj1/00210.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/d6wck7vj1/)
Nemrut.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 11:56:33 AM: (http://s9.postimg.org/5dgqlppob/00321.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5dgqlppob/)
Beehive houses at Harran 6 miles from Syrian border.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: apollo on September 06, 2013, 12:58:08 PM: Quote from: Findik on September 06, 2013, 08:47:32 AM

(http://s23.postimg.org/rbnwltdjb/P1020017.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rbnwltdjb/)
Isak Pasa Sarayi Dogubeyazit.

I hope that you found a better hotel in Doğubeyazit than we did, when we were there last spring. Did you manage to find the meteor crater? We tried but failed. I don't think the black and purple clouds, rolling thunder, rain, lightning and dirt track was conducive to our search
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 06, 2013, 16:44:28 PM: The meteor crater has now been filled in as there never was much to see anyway. I continued on to Van for a hotel which was a reasonable standard and the food was great.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: apollo on September 06, 2013, 19:10:44 PM: Our first bus trip, a few years ago now. Was from Antalya to Goreme then on to Trabzon, then to Malatya (for Nemrut Dağ) and then return to Antalya. A long way but well worth the trip.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: ovacik2 on September 07, 2013, 09:55:19 AM: Great photographs Findik. Thanks for sharing, not the usual brochure stuff. Looks to have been a great trip. An inspiration indeed. Alan & Pauline.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: daveG on September 07, 2013, 11:31:39 AM: Many thanks for sharing your experience, wonderful pics, have my maps out now!!
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: cef on September 07, 2013, 12:34:29 PM: Wonderful photo's Findik :)

Travelling within Turkey had been an intention of mine a long time ago, it was nice to see places I'd only imagined, through your lenses. thank you 8) :)
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 08, 2013, 11:36:30 AM: Another great place to visit is the Chimera(where the flames come out of the ground) near Cirali and Olympus. Coastal route 5 hours by bus from Fethiye or go inland route to Antalya then back up the coast to Cirali. More spectacular at night but dangerous walk in the dark.
(http://s23.postimg.org/mpvic0bfr/IMG_1215.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/mpvic0bfr/)

(http://s11.postimg.org/qudki1my7/IMG_0814.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/qudki1my7/)
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Scunner on September 08, 2013, 11:40:30 AM: Great thread Hazel, thank you for sharing your travels with us. Can I ask, assuming that some legs of the journey go through fairly unchanging and uninspiring landscapes - how to you pass the time on 5 hour journeys?
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 08, 2013, 12:15:21 PM: I find that someone on the bus often wants to practice their English with me. Travelling on my own the bus company always make sure that the seat next to me is booked by another female. The long distance buses have tv screens in the back of the seats with headphones. Often programmes like 'You've Been Framed' that you don't need to understand the language. My last long journey a kurdish teenager asked to sit next to me so she could discuss her problem. Her mother was sending her away to live with an uncle as she wanted to get her away from her militant boyfriend. When she got off the bus a mother sat next to me with 3 young children and a baby. She had only booked 3 seats, so the 3 perfectly behaved children shared 2 seats while the baby was on mums lap but prefered to sit on my lap to look out the window, during 5 hours never cried once. (That was the baby not me). Also there are lots of comfort stops at some very well appointed centres managed by the various bus companies. Even though some of the bus journeys are very long the time seems to go faster than a short airline flight and there is plenty to look at out of the bus window.
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: Findik on September 08, 2013, 12:21:34 PM: (http://s13.postimg.org/7e29wmchv/P1020599.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/7e29wmchv/)

(http://s2.postimg.org/6t16udwhh/P1020601.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6t16udwhh/)
Title: Re: Long bus trips.
Post by: cef on September 08, 2013, 12:35:48 PM: :) Wonderful photo's & a lovely insight into your journey's Findik, thank you :)