Perhaps it was getting up at daft o'clock to take Mrs T to Dalaman airport that set me in the wrong mood to start, but by the time I reached Gocek Tunnel and found that we are still using only using the 'old' tunnel, which was compounded by the charge for the use of the tunnel going up to 4.5tl. Did I really believe that they were going to open up the new tunnel last May .... not really. Did I really believe that once the tunnel was finished we would have a two tunnel service for which we would not have to pay ... well yes in fact I did. Why you say, well it is because this is a National Road and double tunnels are the norm on these roads and there is no charge. I know what people are going to say, this is because the tunnel is used by transfer and coach companies, and so it is another way of fleecing the tourist. Well it is not exclusively used for this purpose and many, many Turks use the tunnel, whether commercial or private vehicles.
I am now going to boycott the tunnel and travel over the top again. Some of you may recall that I calculated a couple of years ago that if you are time rich, then the best route economically was over the top. And now with this price hike, and indeed the fall of the lira - even with the very recent redress - the argument becomes even more compelling on economic terms. So why not join me in boycotting the tunnel, soon to be renamed the Freeman Hardy and Willis Tunnel, sponsored by Reg Junior.
So anyway I went over the top on the way back and took a few early morning photos, you can see them below. I also stopped at the bakers in Ciflik and bought me a nice loaf and a couple of warm rock buns. One of which did not make it home, and now I've got a load of crumbs to clear in the car. Pictures of loaf and bun also below mmmmmmm.