An easy enough day today. Checked out of hotel and took taxi to the Istanbul Bus Station. On the way I got a good taste of the city’s traffic chaos. The bus station is the size of Garden City at least. There is a huge oval of 168 bus offices. In the middle parking, taxis etc. Each bus office has 2 loading bays behind it, so there is a fast turn over of buses that unload and load again in a matter of minutes. People crowded around waiting for their bus and pushing/shoving to get aboard. No English; no announcements. Just look at the signs and hope you hop the right one. I couldn’t find anywhere to leave my suitcase, so it came with me, but as I have all I need in the backpack, it can stay unopened.
Once aboard, so impressed. Latest model Mercedes; each seat has individual DVD player. After depart a steward serves snack and drink. Then sprays lotion on hands to freshen up. Half way there stopped for 20 minutes at a dedicated bus stop. Spacious cafeteria with food ready to go. Supermarket. Large and clean toilets. And while there the bus was washed top to toe. And this on an inter-city bus, not a tour bus. Only 42 lira for the 5 hour trip, including snacks. Greyhound could learn a lesson or two!
Eceabat is on the European side of the narrow Dardanelles, a windy narrow seaway that links the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea. It is a small town (think Gin Gin) important mainly as ferry terminal for the crossing to Cannakale on the Asian side, a much bigger city. But Eceabat is the the town nearest Anzac Cove and the other historic sites of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign in 1915. I am staying at a very nice hotel right opposite the ferry terminal (am watching one loading now out my window). Have booked with RSL Tours to do the Anzac tour tomorrow. Then a half-day trip to Troy on Wednesday with the tour bus delivering me right back to the Istanbul airport hotel: quite a saving in messing around.
I really enjoyed my time in Istanbul. A bit disappointed: I feel I was just the usual tourist there. Everywhere else I have been able to wander off into the back streets etc. and see some of the local scene that isn’t on the tourist map. Didn’t have a chance to do any of that in Istanbul: took all my time just to see the essentials. Anyway, I enjoyed it all the same.
Gave the camera a rest today!
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