I was going to live in Alanya, for how long I did not know but I was going and I was driving there!
I was going to live in Alanya, for how long I did not know but I was going and I was driving there! As I was travelling alone, I took the precaution of practicing the changing of tyres, light bulbs, spark plugs etc on my Honda Civic car. I had a route planned to Venice, where I was to take the ferry to Izmir, Turkey leaving at 9pm on 27 April 1996. Gradually everything fell into place and on 23 April I set off on my adventure to Alanya! The first night was spent near Dover so I could catch a morning ferry to France.Day 1: The ferry brought me to France and now I was driving on the wrong side of the road towards Switzerland and Italy! It was a clear day and in the early evening I arrived in Colmar, near the Swiss border. I found a comfortable hotel where I enjoyed good food and wine and a refreshing sleep.
Day 2: Today I was heading for Lake Garda, Italy where I hoped that I could spend a couple of days looking around. This, I think, was one of the most wonderful driving days of the whole journey. The scenery was spectacular, driving up into the mountains of Switzerland through to Italy. Despite taking a wrong turning, I arrived at Lake Garda in the afternoon and found a quaint hotel for my short stay.
Day 3: No driving today! Time to relax and look around. I spent the day touring around the Lake by ferry and then going up the mountain on the cable car at Malcesine. The weather was a bit grey and dull but I enjoyed the fresh air.
Day 4: Off to Venice early to find the ferry port where I left the car in the queue and went to explore: St Marks Square and the Bridge of Sighs: before check in. By this time numerous cars were waiting. Luckily I was helped with the procedures by some of the regular passengers. The processing was chaotic but eventually I was back at my car and ready to drive onto the ferry. Not easy! You had to wait for the cars in front to complete their paperwork before you could move!!!
Finally I am on board the boat, my home for the next 3 nights. Not a luxury cruise liner but a basic Turkish ferry! It was however perfectly adequate with all meals included in the cost of the ticket. Drinks were extra and you had to buy a book of vouchers from the Pursers office. After a little negotiation between a steward and one of my friends, including a quick trip to change money at the Pursers office, I had a cabin to myself. This was bliss as my original ticket had been for a Pullman seat in the general lounge. I had not fancied the idea of sleeping sitting up!
Days 5/6: I quickly settled into a routine. I was basically adopted by some of the passengers mostly Turks from Britain or Germany returning for a visit. Once it was established that I was the owner of the GB plate Honda, they were quick to chat and look after me. One man made sure that I was accompanied for each of the meals so I did not eat alone! I spent time up on deck as the weather was lovely and I could read there whilst we sailed down the Italian and Greek coasts.
In the evenings, I sat in the lounge with my book whilst the others played cards. I asked them if they were playing for money and they told me no, drinks! I was always included in the drinks round although I never played cards,
On the second day, my meal companion told me we would be going through the Corinth Canal, which links the Adriatic with the Aegean Seas, and he would let me know when to come to watch. We went up on deck and watched whilst this little tug guided us through. It was absolutely amazing. There was no room for manoeuvre as we slowly inched our way along the 6.3 kilometre route. This is certainly a great feat of engineering.
Day 7: We had now arrived at Izmir and it was time to disembark. This was my first real experience of Turkish bureaucracy! There was absolutely no system for proceeding through Immigration and Custom Control. If I had not had help from the regulars, I would still be there I think!!! Abandoning your car, you had to take all your papers to an office and be processed. I was given my tourist visa and then I had to go to another place for the car. The information was all stamped into my passport originally they only gave me 3 months for the car but I asked for more and it was changed, reluctantly, to 5 months! Then it was customs and finally we could leave the port. This all took hours!!
As I had told everyone I was going to Alanya, a guide had been found for me as they felt I would not manage on my own. There was major reconstruction on the route I had planned to take so I was advised of another way. I was to follow this man (not one of my friends) who was going on to Syria. I was assured he would drive carefully in his old Mercedes, as I had no idea where we were heading!! Needless to say, once on the way he drove like a bat out of hell!!! This was a good introduction to Turkish driving. Following as best I could, I began to think this was not such a good idea. We ended up in Afyon, where we found a hotel with only one room free so he told me! His wife did not understand him! How about a few drinks! Suffice to say we parted company and I left for Alanya with my honour in tact!
Day 8: I arrived in Alanya on 1 May 1996 and parked in the harbour area and gave a great sigh of relief. I had done it with next to no problems! However I did not realise what a spectacle I would be, driving around Alanya in a foreign car! But thats another story!