Hey, Jumpman,

thx for the great infos. I really appreciate that!
I'll contact Fahri after I have followed up your tips on google maps.

4 weeks to go

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

Thank you for all of your posts and information in response to Touruga. My partner and I are about to leave Seattle for six months to ride throughout Eastern Europe, Turkey and Iran. We're wondering what the best way to deal with money is in the places we will visit. Cash? ATM? bank wires? and how/where does one keep their cash?! On their bikes? on their person? We have all kinds of ideas but would love to hear what you do.

Mr Jumpman:can we get your phone number too? It would be really fun to meet you when we are in Istanbul. I'm new to HUBB so just to be sure here is my email address: dionneharoutunian@gmail.com

Always keep your cash on your person is my advice. Put it wherever you feel is most secure Same for important docs ( passport / TIP / bike docs etc ) If you can't do with out it keep it with you.

__________________
Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway

Hi all,

So sorry for my late reply.

You can keep your money with you. But i recommend you to use Credit Card mostly and some amount of Turkish Lira.

There is no any risk about it. I just use credit card because of keeping lots of money is not practical. If you need more info, just ask.

I'll send an email and welcome you ofcourse for a coffee in Istanbul.

Just arrived in Sanliurfa from Nemrut Dagi. Tomorrow I'll carry on to Midyat, or rather south-east of the town to the monastry Mor Gabriel.

People around here say it's safe to go - just don't go to Diyarbakir or near Cizre and the next town east of Cizre. So I'm confident to carry on. From Mor Gabriel my route will take me to Hasankyef and further to Ahlat on the Van Lake. By then I think I'll be well out of the danger zone.

Considering money and documents: Here in Turkey I never felt unsafe at any place or time. You do need a certain amount of cash, as sometimes the petrol stations cannot process credit cards, and the hotels and pensions in small villages often only take cash.

Thx again to Jumpman for the informations and contacts for Istanbul.

Safe travels to everybody. Oh, and very important to mention: Turkey is a great country to visit: Brilliant landscapes, friendly people, lots of cultural site. IMHO no need to avoid this country. The touristic business is reduced dramatically, like at Nemrut Dagi somewhat minus 90%.
Another tip: Tkae the small winding roads. Much more interesting than the "D"-roads, which often are 4-lane highways.

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

Great to hear. Hope you enjoy alot. If you visit Istanbul let me welcome you.

Enjoy...

halimkocan@gmail.com

Sorry, Jumpman,

silly advice.
The only time I was cheated by ma stolen Credit Card No., was in Turkey.
on the 5th. June. 2007 the only purchase via this Credit Card was at a photographer in a 5 Star Hotel.
Exactly one year later, someone purchased Jewelry worth 25000€.
But at that exact date we also purchased Hotelrooms in L.A.
so the bank phoned us and the case was revealed.

So, any generalization won´t fit the bill.
Just take care of your stuff, there is not more robbery in Turkey, than somewhere else.
I personally am more afraid of credit card abuse than robbery. I only carry cash and never, ever pay by credit card. Get my money from the ATM and I´m fine. The risk of being robberd electronically is more obvious than than any robbery.
Avoid easing pontential thiefs, with obvious targets, such as cameras, Smartphones and any kind of bling bling on the table. Just don´t be a tartget.
And btw Turkey and also Istanbul is a great place.
I felt that the people in Istanbul are likely more stressed out and then tend to be more unfriendly as they are usually.
The people here and the country is amazing, don´t fail to visit! I enjoy very much!!!
cheers Herbert Ciraly/Turkey

Hi Herbert,

I used to live in Izmir and now i live in Istanbul. I have never lived that kind of problem with my credit card. My wife is a trade banker and she says always if something happens than just inform tha bank and the bank will repay for your loss. But never never loose your C. Card. Also keep your belongings with you always just in case like cameras, wallsts etc. But surely carefull with your bike, it can be lost easyly and polices can nkt do anything about it. The thifs are very professional. Just park it in a secured parkings and pay for it.

Sorry for your bad experince. As you said it can happen every part of the world. My Italian friend once warned me not to go to Napoli. I asked why, he said "do you want to see your bike again" but i had a great time there

I always check high scored hotels then i call them to reduce the price and i make a reservation without booking, restaurants, museums, i just pay by credit card. Electronic robery can happen in this country like others but you should be carefull. Do not pay by credit card for small amounts.

Anyway, hope you enjoy here.

Halim

Herbert,
this doesn't necessarily mean that the photographer was the culprit. The IT-system might have been hacked and the customer data stolen.

The problem with cash is that it easily stolen. Except if you have a special place to hide it. Just a story for everyone's fun: I did a bit of tour-guiding in South Africe and one of the guests - like you - never used his credit card, but took stacks of Euros along. Although I had warned him that S.A. has a pretty high crime rate, he scoffed it off, saying that the mugger had to take him bodily apart to get to the cash. At first I didn't understand, but then it clicked: He kept the money in his hollow leg prothesis

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

We cross from Turkey to Iran at Dogubayazit, no problem at all along the route...also the border very easy and fast crossing.Even when its a busy one there are a special line for cars and you skip the long cue of trucks.
Any question write me.
Pedro

Just finished my Turkey circuit. Rode as far east as Mardin, Hatay or (Antakya), Midyat and then north to the Van Lake, Aflat, Dogoubayazit. Then across to Erzurum and further north to Trabzon (Black Sea).

Unfortunately I had to miss out Diyarbakir, the old parts were declared a World Heritage Sight. But I suppose that now looks more like Syria. The warring parties have destroyed very much, I was told. Probably the curfew would have kept me out anyway.

Only travelling by daylight I felt safe all the way - in spite of the heavily fortified military camps and police stations. The roadblocks weren't interested in me ;o) and never even checked my documents. So IMO there is no direct danger, riding along the roads in the East - except for traffic hazards

The only negative experience was when leaving the country for Greece. The border control officers were friendly, but sent me aside to have my luggage checked. Now, this was a different story! Those guys were extremely unfriendly, ripped the luggage out of the panniers and just chucked it around. I had to hand out my bike documents, which they didn't hand back to me, but tossed them in-between my luggage, which I didn't see. So when I politely asked for the documents the one guy just barked at me: "We have no papers. You have!" and slammed the door. All I could do was to knock and tell the guys that I couldn't carry on without. Since he knew where they were he barked again "Open!" and pointed at the panniers, ripped out the luggage and - lo - there were my documents. I gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder, but he hit away my hand and told me to bugger off.

Which I did....

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

Well, there is a strong propaganda against the US recently.
From RUS I hear of hostility against US citizens.
It might as well affect Turkey and Greece, as I´m german I don´t feel that.
But when speaking english, and supposed to be american the mood changes as soon as they realize I´m german.
So this might be the problem.
Sorry for that. There´s always a big differnece between a nation and it´s politics and the people, that´s why we ride the world, don´t we. It´s our job to change opinions and let our opinions being changed!