It has been quite sometimes since my last ride report.
After Iran, we crossed into Turkey. The border procedures were quite easy and fast on the Iranian side but however it took about almost 3 hours for us to get our entry into Turkey sorted out since the official at the border seemed to be a bit confused about visa protocol. No issues with the bike and we only had to pay about USD15 for 1 month insurance to ride in Turkey. The insurance office was just near the custom office. No carnet de passage required to enter Turkey for the motorcycle.
Once cleared at the border, we headed to the nearest town, Dogubayazit, about 25 km away. The roads in Turkey are good and road signs are very clearly written in Turkish and English so getting around was quite easy. We stayed for 2 nights in Dogubayazit before heading to Ezurum. We decided to ride the Northern part of Turkey, following the coastal road from Rize to Sinop.
The petrol cost in Turkey was the most expensive we have encountered, about USD2.50 a litre. In Iran, it was USD0.30 a litre so it was a big amount to spend.
We spent about a month in Turkey from 18 June till 17 July and the routes we travelled in Turkey are Dogubayazit – Erzurum – Rize – Trabzon – Samsun – Sinop – Ilgaz – Goreme – Ankara – Istanbul - Tekirdag.
Below are some photos from Dogubayazit until the city of Rize.
Cheers,
Turkish flag
Dogubayazit - the view of Ararat Mountain
Dogubayazit - horses seen from the main road leading to town
Dogubayazit - Ishak Pasha Palace
Dogubayazit - Ishak Pasha Palace
Dogubayazit - another view of the palace from far
Dogubayazit - the Black V
Dogubayazit - the Black V
Dogubayazit - tombs near Ishak Pasha Palace
Dogubayazit - Tombs near Ishak Pasha Palace
Dogubayazit - view of the town and surrounding from the mountain
Dogubayazit - Ishak Pasha Palace
On the way to Erzurum from Dogbayazit
Erzurum - landscape along the road to Erzurum
Erzurum - another view of the landscape
Erzurum - a mosque in the city
Erzurum - another view of the mosque
Erzurum - statue by the town square
Erzurum - modern bus
On the way from Erzurum to Rize. Taking a break
Beautiful view along the way from Erzurum to Rize
Another view along the way
Erzurum fruits market
Borneoman on the road
Taking shelter from the rain on the way from Erzurum to Rize
On the way from Erzurum to Rice - restaurant serving local food