Seljuk, Tigris River, Tombs, Cardaks, Gurdus

Trip Start Jun 06, 2009
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Trip End Jun 27, 2009


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Where I stayed
Mardin
(Hasankeyf hotels)

Flag of Turkey  , Batman,
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

We visited the cemetery before leaving the town, this is fascinating and a must visit recommendation, as the tomb stones date back to 1171 when the Seljuk (nomads) came here and settled, taking Ahlat as their capital for 100 years.  Photo opportunities (with a difference) are boundless and the cemetery is interesting and serene.  A very important place in the history of Eastern turkey.  We drive through Kurdish countryside, temp 33 degrees C, you could film a spaghetti western here!  Nearly at Batman, there are loads of storks nesting on the top of each pylon!  Batman a large town now of 400,000 people, 25 years ago there were only 3 houses, but then they found petrol and people moved here.  This country is fantastic, every day I am soaking up history, stories of old, eating great food, speaking with or smiling at the most generous people I have ever met.  We reach the Tigris River, and paddle (what a relief from the sun). At Hasankeyf the Zeynelbey Tomb is very interesting and local children gather to practice their English on us Cemetary
Cemetary
 .  The caves are a must see - the President visited in 1970 and told the people they had to move into proper homes, as Europe would think Turkish people liked in caves!  The restaurant is so cool, where we enjoyed iced drinks whilst sitting on Sofra's (Cardak).  It's easy to look inside the caves and the mosque at the top of the cliffs, so long as you are wearing comfortable thick soled sandals and a hat to keep the heat off (38oC). Hasankeyf will be flooded in 2 years, and the people will move to higher ground.  Should be great for diving opportunities in about 5 years time?

Next stop Midyat and the silver bazaars - much cheaper than Istanbul and the silver is local.

Onto the Karavansaray in Mardin - WOW you have to stay here (SEE PHOTO) - sights of Syria, lovely at night - interesting mosque to visit in the morning.
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