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#31
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driving in Turkey What is your favorite Europeanmegalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
On Saturday, March 9, 2013 6:13:54 PM UTC, Dan Stephenson wrote:
On 2013-02-18 15:18:45 -0600, Jack Campin said: What is your favorite megalithic in Europe? And why? Other than Stonehenge, that is -- that could be an easy choice already. Tarxien (and other sites), Malta. Absolutely incomparable - and, I believe, the oldest. A little way outside Europe, but Gobekli Tepe near Urfa makes Tarxien and Stonehenge look as modern as a Wal-Mart. What is your opinion in physical and driving safety in remote areas of Turkey such as this? I've visited Turkey because and felt safe, but that wasn't driving (and they are maniacs in Istanbul), and it was in Istanbul for the most part. Not the rural hinterland. And this was in 2002, and then 2007. They've gotten more islamist since then, too, and I just don't know what that means as an American tourist. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- e m a i l : j a c k @ c a m p i n . m e . u k Jack Campin, 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU, Scotland mobile 07800 739 557 http://www.campin.me.uk Twitter: JackCampin -- Dan Stephenson http://stepheda.com Travel pages for Europe and the U.S.A. (and New Zealand too) We've never driven ourselves in Turkey but have travelled most of its area by various means - dolmesh, buses, taxis etc. No less safe (in fact, probably more safe) than any typical remote area. You're stopped from travelling, these days, in the 'dodgy' Kurd problem areas (and, presumably, the Syria border currently). Often, the 'locals' are almost embarrasingly friendly & helpful. Just needs the obvious awareness of local custom/religion and, ideally, maybe a group of 4. |
#32
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driving in Turkey What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
"Surreyman" wrote in message ... On Saturday, March 9, 2013 6:13:54 PM UTC, Dan Stephenson wrote: On 2013-02-18 15:18:45 -0600, Jack Campin said: Travel pages for Europe and the U.S.A. (and New Zealand too) We've never driven ourselves in Turkey but have travelled most of its area by various means - dolmesh, buses, taxis etc. No less safe (in fact, probably more safe) than any typical remote area. You're stopped from travelling, these days, in the 'dodgy' Kurd problem areas (and, presumably, the Syria border currently). Often, the 'locals' are almost embarrasingly friendly & helpful. Just needs the obvious awareness of local custom/religion and, ideally, maybe a group of 4. Any recommendations for people who can't magic up a group of 4 (or even 2)? tim |
#33
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driving in Turkey What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
On 2013-03-10 06:05:58 -0500, Surreyman said:
On Saturday, March 9, 2013 6:13:54 PM UTC, Dan Stephenson wrote: What is your opinion in physical and driving safety in remote areas of Turkey such as this? I've visited Turkey before and felt safe, but that wasn't driving (and they are maniacs in Istanbul), and it was in Istanbul for the most part. Not the rural hinterland. And this was in 2002, and then 2007. They've gotten more islamist since then, too, and I just don't know what that means as an American tourist. We've never driven ourselves in Turkey but have travelled most of its area by various means - dolmesh, buses, taxis etc. No less safe (in fact, probably more safe) than any typical remote area. You're stopped from travelling, these days, in the 'dodgy' Kurd problem areas (and, presumably, the Syria border currently). Often, the 'locals' are almost embarrasingly friendly & helpful. Just needs the obvious awareness of local custom/religion and, ideally, maybe a group of 4. Well unfortunately, I want to visit Hittite sites, and some are close the Syrian and in fact I believe one actually straddles the international border! Plus, the Gobekli Tepe site, mentioned elsewhere, is also in the south. Now, some of the Ionian sites on the west coast - I bet that is different. -- Dan Stephenson http://stepheda.com Travel pages for Europe and the U.S.A. (and New Zealand too) |
#34
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driving in Turkey What is your favorite Europeanmegalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
On Sunday, March 10, 2013 11:12:05 AM UTC, tim..... wrote:
"Surreyman" wrote in message ... On Saturday, March 9, 2013 6:13:54 PM UTC, Dan Stephenson wrote: On 2013-02-18 15:18:45 -0600, Jack Campin said: Travel pages for Europe and the U.S.A. (and New Zealand too) We've never driven ourselves in Turkey but have travelled most of its area by various means - dolmesh, buses, taxis etc. No less safe (in fact, probably more safe) than any typical remote area. You're stopped from travelling, these days, in the 'dodgy' Kurd problem areas (and, presumably, the Syria border currently). Often, the 'locals' are almost embarrasingly friendly & helpful. Just needs the obvious awareness of local custom/religion and, ideally, maybe a group of 4. Any recommendations for people who can't magic up a group of 4 (or even 2)? tim If you are alone, the well-trodden areas pose absolutely no problem whatsoever. If you're off into the wilds, again you should be fine getting to the local towns. From there (to go to unfrequented archaeological sites etc.) I'd suggest going to the local police station and asking for a reputable guide - this will often be, for instance, a local school teacher with car, etc., who are often proud and delighted to be able to 'do their thing'. Costs are usually minimal. There's nowt wrong with Turkey per se. Especially in the more remote areas, you'll probably meet with great friendliness and generosity. Just take all obvious precautions as for any remote "less Western" areas. |
#35
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driving in Turkey What is your favorite Europeanmegalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
On Sunday, March 10, 2013 1:28:00 PM UTC, Dan Stephenson wrote:
On 2013-03-10 06:05:58 -0500, Surreyman said: On Saturday, March 9, 2013 6:13:54 PM UTC, Dan Stephenson wrote: What is your opinion in physical and driving safety in remote areas of Turkey such as this? I've visited Turkey before and felt safe, but that wasn't driving (and they are maniacs in Istanbul), and it was in Istanbul for the most part. Not the rural hinterland. And this was in 2002, and then 2007. They've gotten more islamist since then, too, and I just don't know what that means as an American tourist. We've never driven ourselves in Turkey but have travelled most of its area by various means - dolmesh, buses, taxis etc. No less safe (in fact, probably more safe) than any typical remote area. You're stopped from travelling, these days, in the 'dodgy' Kurd problem areas (and, presumably, the Syria border currently). Often, the 'locals' are almost embarrasingly friendly & helpful. Just needs the obvious awareness of local custom/religion and, ideally, maybe a group of 4. Well unfortunately, I want to visit Hittite sites, and some are close the Syrian and in fact I believe one actually straddles the international border! Plus, the Gobekli Tepe site, mentioned elsewhere, is also in the south. Now, some of the Ionian sites on the west coast - I bet that is different. -- Dan Stephenson http://stepheda.com Travel pages for Europe and the U.S.A. (and New Zealand too) We were actually caught mid-stream on the Turkey/Syria border on 9/11. Not then realising what had happened, we were suddenly bundled back into Turkey, and watched events unfolding on the TV there! The rest of our trip was up to Cappadocia instead! |
#36
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driving in Turkey What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
What is your favorite megalithic in Europe? And why? Other than
Stonehenge, that is -- that could be an easy choice already. Tarxien (and other sites), Malta. Absolutely incomparable - and, I believe, the oldest. A little way outside Europe, but Gobekli Tepe near Urfa makes Tarxien and Stonehenge look as modern as a Wal-Mart. What is your opinion in physical and driving safety in remote areas of Turkey such as this? Absolutely no problem. Roads near Urfa are good and there are all the services you could want. But distances are long, it's blazing hot in summer and intensely cold with heavy snow in winter. Gobekli Tepe is only a short way out of town, so you shouldn't have any problem getting there at any time of year. But in summer, carry water in case you break down. Much like the hinterland of Australia or the American Southwest. Mobile phone coverage is good, though. I've visited Turkey because and felt safe, but that wasn't driving (and they are maniacs in Istanbul), and it was in Istanbul for the most part. Not the rural hinterland. And this was in 2002, and then 2007. They've gotten more islamist since then, too, and I just don't know what that means as an American tourist. Nothing. Islamism in Turkey poses no problems for outsiders. But you do have to watch out for the quaint Kurdish custom of kids biffing rocks at anybody they don't know. This does not just mean foreigners or even Turks, it means anybody from the other side of town as well. Not so bad in Urfa, but in Mardin and Midyat almost every taxi has a cracked windscreen. (Bettina Selby's book on cycling through this area tells it like it is). I'd bet that insurance companies who know the area have this risk excluded in the fine print. The major problem in that area at the moment is that it'll be flooded with Syrian refugees. Accommodation might be hard to get. Since I always stay in the very cheapest places, the sort that will be most affected by that, I'm putting off going back there. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- e m a i l : j a c k @ c a m p i n . m e . u k Jack Campin, 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU, Scotland mobile 07800 739 557 http://www.campin.me.uk Twitter: JackCampin |
#37
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Kilmartin What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
Another megalithic-dense area is Kilmartin, in Scotland. I stayed at a
B&B right across the road from the main sites: several stone circles and alignments, and several tombs of all kinds. And there are several megalithics in the immediately vicinity. I used the stonepages.com web site for research to find all these places. The first seven pages are from the Kilmartin area: http://stepheda.com/Scotland_2004_Me...ics_Index.html You probably stayed in the same place we did. There is a remarkable variety of different kinds of ancient structures there, and the local museum does a good job of interpreting them. It's very easy to get to by public transport. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- e m a i l : j a c k @ c a m p i n . m e . u k Jack Campin, 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU, Scotland mobile 07800 739 557 http://www.campin.me.uk Twitter: JackCampin |
#38
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What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
Surreyman wrote:
[] Wadi Rum: In 'our day' you could fix an overnight with the Jordanian Desert Patrol, with camel treks through the wadis. Now, you probably have 5* hotels & 4WD - I don't know! :-)) If you're still reading, we're closer to an itinerary. No hotels booked yet (availability seems fine) but probably Tel Aviv for the first 3 nights (we arrive on the Thursday and travel on the sabbath is problematic) then fly to Eilat, but stay in Taba (Sinai) 3-4, then to Jordan, finally to Jerusalem. So, St. Catherine's is definitely on the list, then Petra and Wadi Rum. We're looking into staying in a tent at Wadi Rum. David -- (*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "[Do you think the world learned anything from the first world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009) |
#39
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What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
On Saturday, March 16, 2013 9:36:20 PM UTC, David Horne wrote:
Surreyman wrote: [] Wadi Rum: In 'our day' you could fix an overnight with the Jordanian Desert Patrol, with camel treks through the wadis. Now, you probably have 5* hotels & 4WD - I don't know! :-)) If you're still reading, we're closer to an itinerary. No hotels booked yet (availability seems fine) but probably Tel Aviv for the first 3 nights (we arrive on the Thursday and travel on the sabbath is problematic) then fly to Eilat, but stay in Taba (Sinai) 3-4, then to Jordan, finally to Jerusalem. So, St. Catherine's is definitely on the list, then Petra and Wadi Rum. We're looking into staying in a tent at Wadi Rum. David -- (*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "[Do you think the world learned anything from the first world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009) Looks good - envy you! Taba's on the Egyptian border, of course. Nothing there apart from a resort hotel or two (unless it's expanded since I was last there). Eilat or Aqaba could have been more interesting, & the distance differences are negligible. But your choice, of course. Around the St. Catherine's area there's a delightful Wadi Gazella area if you can persuade your guides to divert a little! When I was last at St. Catherine's they were just starting to build a hotel complex nearby. I assume that's finished now. Again, depending on your own tastes, that could centre you amongst glorious desert scenery rather than in the less dramatic coast resorts - but I'm getting subjective again! Above all, enjoy! Look forward to hearing from you afterwards. |
#40
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What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
Surreyman wrote:
On Saturday, March 16, 2013 9:36:20 PM UTC, David Horne wrote: [] If you're still reading, we're closer to an itinerary. No hotels booked yet (availability seems fine) but probably Tel Aviv for the first 3 nights (we arrive on the Thursday and travel on the sabbath is problematic) then fly to Eilat, but stay in Taba (Sinai) 3-4, then to Jordan, finally to Jerusalem. So, St. Catherine's is definitely on the list, then Petra and Wadi Rum. We're looking into staying in a tent at Wadi Rum. [] Looks good - envy you! Taba's on the Egyptian border, of course. Nothing there apart from a resort hotel or two (unless it's expanded since I was last there). Eilat or Aqaba could have been more interesting, & the distance differences are negligible. But your choice, of course. We'll be in Taba Heights which is about 15km further south- yes, just resorts but we wanted a few beach days and it made a slightly easier base from which to St. Catherine's. We really didn't fancy either Eilat or Aqaba... hope we made the right decision. Around the St. Catherine's area there's a delightful Wadi Gazella area if you can persuade your guides to divert a little! When I was last at St. Catherine's they were just starting to build a hotel complex nearby. I assume that's finished now. Again, depending on your own tastes, that could centre you amongst glorious desert scenery rather than in the less dramatic coast resorts - but I'm getting subjective again! Above all, enjoy! Look forward to hearing from you afterwards. Many thanks! D -- (*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "[Do you think the world learned anything from the first world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009) |
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