Meeting new friends
Trip Start
Apr 29, 2006
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88
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Trip End
Nov 15, 2007
Ankara,
Turkey
Monday, August 14, 2006
Ankara
Otopark With Trees.
We were very lucky to find an otopark in the centre of Ankara with 2 giant spreading chestnut trees for shade and couldn't get our money out fast enough when the attendant asked for 12YTL for both cars for 24 hours. We knew it was likely we would have to stay for a week or so while our Visas were being processed, so we made ourselves at home in the corner of the dusty otopark in a spot which gave us shade the whole day. Lucky us!
It wasn't quite as opulent as the hotel, but better than a Turkish caravan park! When more Turkish people holiday in caravan parks in Europe, the standard of their own caravan parks will improve, I'm sure.
Our hot, windy taxi trip to the Iranian Embassy in Iran Caddesi (Street), Ankara in Turkey was hair raising, and I was glad, I was not sitting in the front, Des said the fire wall between the cabin and the engine on the front passenger side was glowing hot and he was sure the taxi would not last the day out
dýfferent modes of transport on freeway
. There were no seat belts in the back and the driver wasn't using his, so no problem I guess. The taxis are 4cylinder Fiats or Renaults, very small and the three of us in the back were squeezed in like sardines. The taxis are cheap, plentiful and easy to spot in their golden yellow colour. No air con in most. We each filled out the 2 page document in the Iranian Embassy. We were told to go to a specific bank and deposit 95YTL ($90AUD) each into the Iranian Embassy's account and come back with the receipt. Then they would begin to process our visas.
Outside the Embassy we met Teddy from Korea, Jitka from the Czeck Republic and Robert from Germany who were all applying for visas to enter Iran. We pumped each other for information and were delighted to speak with other English speaking travelers. They told us where their vehicle was parked.
Our next trip was to the Pakistani Embassy, to which we also caught a taxi, it cost 3YTL, we didn't realize it was just around the corner, but I don't think we could have made it in the heat anyway! "Come back tomorrow at 9" was the curt command through the intercom at the gate. No room for discussion there
Good snax in Turkey
. The arrangement seems to be applications in the morning, pick up visas in afternoon, which works well. It was very hot again and we felt rung out.
We went back to otopark in Ulus Ankara and melted in the heat.
We had virtually been told, we can't go any further because we have to wait for Iranian and Pakistani visas which could take 10 days. All the wind had been knocked out of our sails and we're all feeling a bit deflated. We've had a lot of hot and humid weather and it's starting to take it's toll. There's no air con here, not even in the shops or museums. Our Otopark is noisy and bright at night but shady during the day.
Haze over Ankara.
There is so much humidity in the air, the fine dust particles seem to hang over the city. The dust is also evident in any tap water and leaves a scum film on our thermoses, saucepans and water bottles. We've stopped drinking tap water all together now, though 5 or ten litre water containers are heavy to carry back to camp. Water is cheap, 2YTL for 10ltr.
The Police ride 1200cc BMW GS usually 2 to a bike with no helmets. The Uniform is a polo shirt with Polisi screen printed on it and long, black pants. Also the usual belt with side arms hanging from it. We have seen them in action, they are pretty heavy handed.
We asked Des and Lou to get white sugar and water from the shops which caused quite a bit of consternation in the sugar department. First packet may have been flour, second choice possibly salt. The assistant finally had to help out. This kind of thing happens quite often the more we travel. Wine has been a real hit and miss affair. The guys have stopped experimenting with the local beers because they have been disappointed so many times. Now they go with the brands they know, Heiniken, and any Czech Republican beers are their beers of choice, and most French wines are a pretty safe bet.
