Turkey – Our Reflections

Tomorrow is our last day in Turkey as we catch the ferry across to Rhodes, Greece, so we thought we would put together some of our reflections on our visit there.

Reflections of Istanbul

80% of Turkish population lives in Istanbul, i.e. 16,000,000 people

Big, big bustling cosmopolitan city

Patient and courteous drivers - they allow others to push in without complaint - kind of unexpected but true

Everyone toots their horn to warn you that they are coming close by. This is particularly prevalent in Istanbul.

Just about everyone smokes here. We were told there are 1 million packs of cigarettes per hour consumed in Turkey

Double parking on any road is ok even though you will be blocking on coming traffic, just put your hazzard lights on !

Helmets are not mandatory, and even if they are, a plastic toy looking one is ok. Very few proper motorcycle helmets used.

Reflections of driving through Western Turkey

Road network is amazing - 3 lane highways mostly, upper limits on some roads 140 km/hr. Signage is good and easy to follow.

Great use of tunnels as Turkey is a mountainous country.

Road surfaces mostly smooth

Country Turkey still populated with lots of apartment buidings, even though 80% of population live in Istanbul.

People are very friendly.

It has been very hazy for the last few days, not sure if that is normal or not.

There are crazy fast drivers, but everyone adheres to courtesy and just move out of their way as they come along. Sometimes flashing lights will appear in your rear view mirror, to tell you they are coming and move over quickly.

The countryside is not dissimilar to Australia and the climate is very similar - so feels comfortable.

Roof top terraces for eating and lounging are the go .. particularly nice on summer evenings with a breeze blowing through.

Petrol stations offer the old fashion full driveway service with staff wearing official uniforms and directing incoming traffic to an available pump.

All toilet paper must be placed in a bin in the bathroom and not flushed down the toilet due to old sewer systems.

Advised not to drink the tap water but to purchase bottled. Equivalent Aus 30c for 500mL or $1.20 for 5L bottle from the local supermarket. Busy tourist spots will be more expensive.

Eating out is generally quite cheap.

The temperature each day since arriving in Turkey has been dry and in the low to mid 30s.

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Hyde Park Sunday

2 years ago

The flag is in obverse.

Ah, the old sewer systems, and bottled water.

You’ve mentioned rooftop dining a few times now – I’m guessing that is a highlight of the daily routine.

Angela

Well Turkey 🇹🇷 out of your bucket now then.

Shame those pools didn’t deliver, they do look impressive online. Still you’re all mineral’d up now.