Travel tips for Turkey
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GarynLea
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Plenty of great photo ops in Side as the area is full of historical ruins. The hotels tend to cater more for the German, Russian and Dutch holidaymakers which can lead to a feeling of isolation at times but the weather should be very hot and slightly overpowering.
Be wary of taking pictures of Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) statues, he was the founder of New Turkey and any images showing any form of disrespect can result in trouble.
Have a great time, the people are friendly and travel by dolmus bus is cheap, 1 Turkish Lira per journey.
Be wary of taking pictures of Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) statues, he was the founder of New Turkey and any images showing any form of disrespect can result in trouble.
Have a great time, the people are friendly and travel by dolmus bus is cheap, 1 Turkish Lira per journey.
dougdarter
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For the uninitiated, the Dolmus bus (usually owner/driver), is a small, usually white (or rusty colour) 8 - 12 seater minibus, which travel the most frequented routes, and some really remote ones, with no timetable, and no recognised bus stops. They (usually) have a destination on the front.
You simply flag one down, hop in, and pay your 1 lira. You can go as far as you like on one bus, sometime a mile or so, sometimes 30 or 40 miles, all for the same price. In most cases, if the driver sees you walking along the side of the road, he will usually slow down and toot his horn, as an invitation to ride. If you don't want the ride, wave him on and smile!!
There is no ticket issued, and payment is 'on trust'. You usually give you payment to the person who is nearest the driver, or the driver himself, but if you are at the back of the bus, it will be passed forward, hand to hand.
You may be sat next to a beautiful young lady, or an ample gent one day, or a goat or chickens the next. A remarkable number of Turks speak English, and I've had great conversations on these buses.
Don't expect air conditioning or creature comforts (though you will see brand new buses from time to time). They are usually clean and reliable, but often look as though they are ready for the scrap yard. Make sure your holiday insurance is valid before flagging one down.
I personally think that they are amazing. Regular, cheap (really really cheap), and the best value public transport service in the world!!