Ireland-2-Turkey 2024

My time in Gelibolu has come to an end sadly. This place has a nice feel about it. I had breakfast and then packed my things, one last check of the room, then downstairs.

Down in the reception area waiting for my taxi. While commuting has been manageable via the translation app, it does have some challenges.

I had been speaking (if you could call it that) with one of the staff and a taxi. He ordered me one to arrive at 8:45am,

After he left the owner came down into reception. We said goodbye and l said l had a taxi arranged. He took this to call me a taxi. Long story short we had two taxis arriving at the same time!

I’m now down at the bus station (in typical Hancock fashion … a head of time)!

Inside the bus station cafeteria. That’s as closest I went to the cafeteria.

Then, onto the bus and into my allotted seat No.17. And we’re off …

Today’s post is probably going to be a bit scattered! Not much to do in a bus heading for Istanbul.

When l was having coffee yesterday with the owner of the hotel I asked about all the wind turbines. He said Turkey has embraced renewable energy for power generation. Wind turbines and solar have been the big push of Government.

From my view, yes, you see wind turbines in the landscape but they don’t seem as intrusive as, at times, the cluster of overhead high voltage transmission lines.

I guess when the area is a relatively narrow peninsula there’s probably not much option to place them where they are. Whatever is the reason it still doesn’t appear to stop farmers farming right up to the towers.

I will say, however, they do spoil a good view.

Wind turbines

A small town … somewhere along the way.

A photo of the dry Turkish countryside.

As the bus journey went along l began to feel not the best. I wasn’t sure l wanted to vomit or go the other end. Or both! I saw a few more wind turbines as we got closer to Istanbul.

And more …

We eventually arrived at the central bus station in Istanbul. I made it but wasn’t feeling a whole lot better. I decided to get a taxi as l wasn’t up to working out how to the other airport at Istanbul.

There is a metro train that goes right to the airport. But, I’m not staying right at the airport as and would have to go through the hassle of getting from the airport to the hotel.

Well l arranged a taxi (no doubt for twice the price than charged the locals) and we set off. It wasn’t long before the old line if not enough money. Tolls impact upon the fair.

I was almost at a point to telling the driver to turn around. But. I just wanted to get to the hotel. It was a typical taxi ride with Arabic music at sound level 35 (and above), his hand slapping his thigh, with the other fans doing the delicate balance of steering while changing stations on his blue tooth connected phone.

I turned it down twice l think only to have it gradually turned back up again. I saw on the horizon the large mosque l visited on the first whole day in Istanbul.

I saw my first real beggar today who was set up in the contested part of the freeway.

You wouldn’t believe what else l saw?

I must have been getting a tad cranky with the driver. We got lost, in part, due to bloody goggle maps and the bloody driver not paying attention.

We eventually arrived roughly where we were supposed to be. But, we had to stop and ask directions from the traffic police. The driver doesn’t speak English and they were conversing in Turkish. I really hate this as l like to have some level of understanding about what the frick is going on.

The accommodation where l’m staying for the night is part of a university for sports from what l can gather. Being a university, it’s state managed, with significant security yo go through. There were police with a machine gun and mirrors on a pole to check under vehicles.

I had to hand over my passport for them to check. Then through the check point. You would have thought we were home snd hosed as they say!

But, no! The taxi driver had no fricken idea where he was going and we drove around in circles. I eventually got so annoyed l reached for my phone and called the receptionist. Apparently, we must have driven by several times without seeing the place.

The receptionist gave him instructions and do we drove around the block again. Yes! You guessed it. Straight past the place again. It got to the point the driver was about to bail on me on the street still not knowing where l was meant to be. But, one more call and we eventually found the place (only after the receptionist sent someone outside to look for us).

I was taken to my room which is pretty flash l say.

My bed for the night and the bathroom.

By this stage l was looking for some comfort food which l found in a small supermarket nearby.

Now, l’m laying in bed after a shower wondering if an episode of Gomer Pyle on YouTube might just be what the doctor would prescribe!