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Published: October 5th 2009
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R & R
It don't get much better than this, apart from the obvious. Made it down the coast to the port town of Tasucu, not a bad ride some of it on graded shale roads othe rtimes good tarmac, you just never know what to expect around the next corner.Made my home in the center of town at a cheap hotel, but i was so knackered i couldn't be bothered searching, and did i say it was cheap !!
Next day went fort exploring before the ferry agent opened at 2pm. The fort was majestic, hailing back to the time of the crusades.Sat and watched the shadows grow short as midday fast approached, wondered about the knights that fought there trying to convert the locals to the Christian faith (bit like George Bush )
The fort was largely unspoilt and sat on a hill on the outskirts of silifke and had incredible views of all around it, explored until on the verge of exhaustion and wringing with sweat. (nice i know ). Had a cup of Turkish coffee for a change on the way down, will stick to chai in future!!!
Picked my tickets up from the agent and bumped into a guy who has moved his family out to northern Cyprus, he tells
Dinner
The last meal for 48 hours me the ferry is squalid, but time will tell!!
8 hour crossing starts at midnight, but to be at the port for 7.30 for formalities Dover this is not.It is going to be a long night. Head north to a beach I noticed on the way into town, had a bit of R&R a swim and some food nice.
This next bit is taken from my journal, The ferry from hell, was it as bad as I remember? No it was far far worse. It would have been bad enough but the bureaucracy times the pain and discomfort by 10 . In fact two days later I'm still recovering..lol.
this is a shortened version! got to the port at 7.30, had to show tickets and passport to gain entry to port, also a port tax was payable 30 lire, then drove down to where the ship was moored.Stood around like a lemmon with everyone else in the blistering heat.Then a mad rush, the customs guy had turned his lights on, que read hustle and bustle for stamp in passport, then another que for vehicle doc stamp, after about and hour in this que the computer crashed, argh slumped on
Hmm Ferry from hell
At this point I didn't care what happened, It dont look too bad, but i assure you finding a place close to a life raft was an important requirement, these were actually used by people to sleep in. the floor side by side with turks and cyps, sweating like a very hot thing.Que resumes on the sounds of the windows boot up tune, manic scenes then as fighting almost breaks out because of Que jumping, docs checked, im sure he read them upside down, another stamp in the passport, page filling nicely, then another guy checks both stamps and signs them this of course requires another rugby scrum.Your book is full you have lost half your body weight in fluids but its not over yet, this guy comes onto the harbour in a shiny suit and he gives some people a realy hard time, he looks at everything again plus makes the empty boots and suitcases etc. takes pity on me, i couldnt give a monkeys by now and signs me off to leave this fookin place.Once that is you join another Que and give all your assembled bits of screwd up damp paper to a guy who for 20 lire takes them off you and gives you a post it note with your reg on (which is miss spelt ).Quality.
you then wait for an hour as trucks shuffle on the off again until they find a
Cyprus
My first view of the island through tired eyes. way of getting everything in and the bow doors shut, which is a result I tell you. I collapse on the open top deck and cuddle up to an old Arab guy, look at the stars and pray for daylight.
It takes 8 hours to do 60Km, engine is on tickover, i can run faster. The boat rolls like a drunk.
Daylight brings fresh optimism and the look of a worried Arab.
Rock up to the gates( last on first off ) and yes you have guessed, have to go through it all again, including all charges and an insurance charge of 60 lire.
You also need to supply an address else your not going anywhere,( they dont like to think you might go south) and God forbid mention that and you wont be going anywhere but back. I borrow the chap who is moving out there house address, good egg he was.
I am out, and i know its not clever but i glowered at all as I ride out determined to make a fast exit before they think of another reason to spoil your day.
Head south through the check at Famagusta and call Woody from a bar
Empty zone
Bit between the Turks and the Greeks patroled by the UN. outside camp.
Re hydration was achieved via much beer and the officers mess.
As nice as Turkey is i never want to go back.
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Jim Mc Geown
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Hi stuart, Remember me? I was the one moving to cyprus whose address you borrowed. By god you were right that tub they called a ferry was a bloody nightmare. just found your card after all these months and thought I would look you up. Guess what, they wont let my car stay in N. Cyprus, so I have to do a return journey with it, this time on my own. Havent read the rest of your blog yet, going to now. Anyway, hope it all went, (and goes) ok. Will keep in touch, Jim