On to Syria - Day 15

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We were very sorry to leave Turkey. It is a lovely country with friendly people who had made us most welcome. The roads were excellent and the countryside through which we had driven had been fantastic. The border with Syria presented us with problems. Firstly the Turkish outgoing authorities entered our details into their computer and had no record of having brought our cars into the country. We sat for over an hour while they faffed about until a Man of Consequence arrived and noted a small number written in each of our passports which, when entered into the computer, revealed that all was well. So they let us out. Then started the Syrian process where we had to present our Carnets de Passage for the first time. And of course we had to buy insurance, and of course it all cost lots of money. Finally, after 2 hr 30 mins we were through, with our fuel tanks almost empty because Syrian diesel costs about 10p per litre compared to Turkey where it was about GBP1 per litre. First filling station we called at was out of diesel. The next - and by this time we were getting very short indeed - fortunately filled us up at a vast cost of between of between GBP 7.50 and GBP 9.00. What a pleasant change!!

Our first impression of Syria was its scruffiness after Turkey’s comparative tidiness. Houses looked unfinished, the sides of roads were a mess and plastic bags prevailed everywhere. We drove on to see the Roman remains at St Simeon’s (photo) which were in excellent order before going to a campsite which we found to be totally lacking in privacy. We scurried on to Aleppo where Chris navigated us very professionally to a cheap hotel in town which was quite adequate for our needs. (152 miles today)

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Photos

Syria - St Simeon's Stylites
Hamish and Jeremy contemplating St Simeon's Stylites Syria

Comments

[Peter and Jane]

It all sounds marvellous
Great to read of your progress. Surprised you did not recognise Peter Meecham and dawn among the ballooners. Weather here beautiful. Hope you continue as successfully as you have so far. Valley of the Stalagmites sounds wonderful and will probably help work out and remember which hang down and which stand up: tites or mites, that is! Best wishes Peter and Jane Jane seems to be out with Noreen quite a bit. I just hope they are behaving themselves and not bringing shame on any family names.

[Arnie]

Hello all of YOU
Looking at your blogs. Seem to be having a great time. Tinking of you all. All well here Chris and Ian and your BUPA is being taken care of so relax. Q's car progressing well but we are really short on time and I sometimes wonder if we will make the event!!!! Lave to you all Arnie and Jacqui, Quentin and Chloe