Week 5 (Armenia and Georgia again)

7/20

Rose at 7, breakfast and on the road for 1 night of bush camping near lake Sevan, somewhere in Armenia. Then back to georgia.
Laterz.

Visited a monistry, high up in ther mountains, near mount Ararat, where Noah's arc stranded.
My mom should have become 80 years today (if cancer hadn't gotten her last year), so i burned a little candle for her (though we're not catholic).
Memorable moment, that really touched me. Miss you mom.

On we went for a lunch (and i eat bread and cheese, since almost all my armenian money was spend and i did not want to chnage more).
Then a second monistary (i'm almost catholic now).

Then we drove through the mountains (name?) to a caravansarai, where we had the most stunning view ever. Taak a look:

Up to lake Sevan, for bush camp. Nice one, but windy and cold (which was ok, coz... no mosquitos). Slept at 10. Tired to the bone.

7/21

Rose 5.50, breakfast and on the road again, back to Georgia. Tbinizi, capital for a 3 night stay in a hostel.
Drove along the coast of lake Sevan, we you could couds see being created from the water of the lake up to the mountains at the shores.

Drove to the so maniesth monistary, where we had lunch.
Crossed the border and now just arrived in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, where we found this very nice hostel (envoy, just as in Yerevan).
Met the new traveler (Kate from UK), who will join us for 6 weeks. Made a stroll and did a beer with her and Carlos.
Shower, some cheap food (coz beer was so expensive (Erdinger)), got my guitar from the truck and played a little on the rooftp city view of the Hostel.
Read an jeffrey Archer story and a good night of sleep followed.


7/22

Still in bed with my laptop, updating blog and read comments on my last messages on FB.

Great breakfast, then a long, long stroll along the fortress,

the botanic gardens, the Bethlehem church, got myself a 0,60 pizza (with mayonaise) and a far too expensive coffee.
Did a nap after lunch like an old man.

Another long walk at the end of the afternoon in the old part of town, to be further explored tomorrow.
Now some food and some beer.

catch you all later.
The third walk was in the evening, for food. Found some cheap bread rolls, with spicey meat (the Georgian kitchen is really good). Met Greh on a terrace and shared a beer with him. Later Corine, Dennis and Ellen joint us too for two more beers. Went up to our balcony, played some guitar and went to bed at midnight.


7/23

Rose at 8 (ish), breakfast, news, and found a pool, where i spent the rest of the day. (just a nice 20 minute walk).
Do some shopping tonight, coz we're on the road again tomorrow.
Got severely sunburned and needed lots of "after sun", provided by Kate (new traveler, UK).
Did a small walk to the central square (with color full fountians and "water music"). Went to bed early though, coz felt feverish (due to the sun burn i guess).

All in all, Tbilisi is a fantastic town.

Cheers.

The third walk was in the evening, for food. Found some cheap bread rolls, with spicey meat (the Georgian kitchen is really good). Met Greg on a terrace and shared a beer with him. Later Corine, Dennis and Ellen joint us too for two more beers. Went up to our balcony, played some guitar and went to bed at midnight.


7/24

Rose at 7, packed, breakfasted and on our way again. Great ride through the <to find out> mountains of Georgia, to the Russian border. See below:

Arrived at a camping lot-ish place, got 2 beers gave a hand to the cook group, updating blog.
Still glow a little from the sun burn.

Laterz...

Eat (small portion, since we eat so much at 4 pm (belated lunch)), and some guitar playing.
A sleepless night followed, because of dogs, barking throughout the night. I hate dogs from now on. Dogs are full of shit!


7/25

Rose at 7.30 (?), tried to get some eggs for breakfast with Brenda (NL) (but all shops in town were still closed). Discussed the Jeans situation with Brenda. She's not doing fine and I consider her unable to continue the trip..However... who am I?
Anyway, eggless breakfast, and than a long hike, up the mountains to.... guess what... another monistary, with Carlos and Elleen (USA). We could continue to the glacier, but the was too far for all of us, so... back at 12.30. Did a small nap, to catch up for last night.
Tim and i cooked. Chili con carne, with NO rice (unlike the British). Small beer and then... catching up sleep, since tomorrow at 5: breakfast by Tim & me.

The dogs kept us awake for a second night in a row however.... Grrrr, bark!


7/26


Rose at 5, made breakfast with Tim, Drove off at 7.
First stop around 11 for early lunch at a very nice, but cheap hotel, since we had to wait for a part for one of the turbo's of the truck. Left again at 2 for the Azerbeyan border. Crossed the border between 6 and 8 (that's quick) and bush camped just after that. Slept like a loc that night, despite a nose bleed.

Week 4 (Turkey, Georgia and Armenia)

7/13

Everybody rose early spontaneously, so 7.45 on the road again.
Would love a shower and a clean toilet now ... ;-).

Laterz.

We drove to a monistary high up the mountains. The walk up there was great, but the monistary itself was not that special.

On the way back Chaz and I took the long road, which was quit an achievement for her. She was so proud of herself when we arrived.
Then a long drive to the border, along the Blach sea coast. Then something awfull happened: Chaz had lost her passport, We all searched for two hours or so, but... nothing, so she had to return to the UK.
I think she was devastated. We had to go on though. Tim, tactfull as always: 1 down, 16 to go. I, however, don't think we have seen the last of her...
All the checks costed hours, so we decided to bushcamp right after we crossed the border to Georgia.
We found a nice piece of soil close to a small bar, where the had a television where we could see the final of the World Championship football (Argentina - Germany (0 - 1), as usual).
First a couple of beers, some cheap, but lovely food and then ... an awfull karaoke show that went on during the football match at a very loud level.
And Jean asked for more of that horrible music (i was about to kill her... ;-) ).
So it became late, very late and very drunk. After the match i went to my tent (i think), but some of us managed to hold out untill 5 (so they did the full 24 h).
It was the most spec tacular final i ever saw.

7/14

Woke up at 8, with Georgia on my mind, causing a huge hangover.
Breakfasdt, ATM, payed Will the bill of my food and drinks, then a quick visit to some old castle.
On the road again now.
Long drive to a kind of Jurrasic Park. Nice to see some dino footprints, and a (transparent floored) platform with a great view.

Then bushcamping, with James and me on guitar. We're getting better and better.
A good night of sleep followed.


7/15

Rose at 6, breakfast and on our way now to the nearest big town (Kutasi).
Writing this in a bumpy truck.
Went for a 3 hour stroll through Kutasi with Carlos, which was great. Friendly people, nice view of the town, great coffee, wonderfull bread rolls (for 1,2 lira (30 cents)) and a good conversation.

Then another truckdrive, nice stop at a cool little rural restaurant, then found a nice spot along a river for a bush camp.
Just had a swim and a wash in the river, then diner. Laterz.

Songs, with Will on guitar completeed the evening. A windy night followed


7/16

Rose at 6, breakfast , on our way to some old castle. Nice but not spectacular.
Drove to a huge old cave town. Quit impressive, taking into account that it is about 5000 years old.

Crossed the border to Armenia round 15.00h. Did some shopping (man, Armenia is cheap).
Now bushcamping on a very, very windy (better: stormy) plane. It's getting cold!


7/17

Rose at 6.15, breakfast, On our way to Yerevan, capital of Armenia.
Found our hostel round 11 am, had to wait for our rooms, so updated FB, read my mail, etc.
Explored the city a bit, bloody hot, came back, showered, did my laundry, updating blog now.

Went out again for diner and one more stroll through yerevan.
Found some nice parks and squares with live music, which reminded me Ayasofia square in Istanbul.
A beer at a beer named "The Beatles" with the fellow travelers completed the evening.
Good night sleep followed until 4.30, when Jean started to snore.


7/18

7.30 up, great breakfast from the ladies of the hostel. Then read the terrible news about the crashed Malaysia Airlines plane with
almost 300 killed (180 dutch). It shocked me.
Long strolls in another direction this time. Found a nice swimming pool at a hotel, but when Carlos and I wanted to go there it seemed
that we had to pay 5000 Drams (about 8,-). Too much for a quick swim. Maybe tomorrow.
Did a little nap back at the hostel. Now updating blog.
Later the evening: walk along the "family" square, where i wanted to have a beer, but just wasn't served.
They're not too keen on foreigners i guess. Bite near the giant mall, then to the supermarket for 1L of beer for 650 (Euro 1,-) and drank that
with the fellow travelers at the doorstep of the hostel. Got some sleep, despite Jeans snoring.


7/19

Slept until (almost) 9, breakfast, spoke to Tim (who stays in another hotel (he does not like hostels)), tried another pool, but that one was even more expensive, so... that 5000 ADM was the choice for the afternoon. With a nice Jeffrey Archer novel. Had a great day.
Just back, showered, did my last laundry, coz tomorrow it's bush camping again (just for 1 day, the 3 more days of hostels in Zbilisi (Georgia capital (yes we go back))).

See you there then.

Later the same evening i met this guy from Germany, who played this strange instrument "The Hang", a kind of melodic kettle drum. It was great to hear.
James and I tried it ourselves too.

Went to bed at 10.30. On the road again tomorow.

Week 3 (Turkey)

6/7

Early rise after only 4 hours of sleep. On the truck, off to the south of Turkey, along the coast of the Egian Sea.
Stunning views and a lovely ride.

Now bushcamping in a little sleepy Turkish fishertown, where a friend of Will has a little bar/restaurant.
In for an early night. Tired to the bone.

Laterz.

That's what i thought... it became late again, since it was so cosy. Never mind.


7/7

Rose at 7.25, fast breakfast, to the ferry for a short boat trip (with the truck on it) and then to the ruins of Troy (yes, Troy is in Turkey and not in Greece). Took a look at the old ruins (not that spectacular, to be honest) and then further to...
The supermarket (to get lunch and all the ingredients for dinner)... and on we went to a nice place at the beach (Selcuk). We planned to spend a day on the beach here, but since we only got a Turkish drivers permit for 10 days we move on tomorrow already. Sh*t!

Played guitar with James (we got enough material for our firtst CD now) and update blog over a beer now.

Laterz.


7/8

Rose 6.35, spontaneously! Showered, shaved, breakfasted, and on the road to Efes, to see the ruins of the old civilication there.
Well, nice, but not impressive and certainly not worth to skip a day on the beach, but then that's my (and a few others) opinion.

It became f&*cking hot and when we arrived in Pamukale temperature had risen to 42 degrees. Still managed to walk up the the (thermal) pools up there.
Not much had changed since 24 years ago, except that prices and number of tourists had gone up dramatically.
Bushcamoing in the neighbourhood ended the day.
(had doubted to go back to Pamukale to see brasil play Germany, but too tired and would probably get lost on the way back (pitchdark here)).
Nice community singing with James on the guitar afterwards. All ended well.

So, see you tomorrow.


7/9

Rose at 5.50, breakfast, left at 7.00. Heard about Germany - Brasil (7-1). Could not believe it.
Whole day drive to Cappedocia. Brilliant scenery, quick look at the Cave village.

Then... found a lovely place along a small river, close to a restaurant where they will show Holland - Argentina on the tele.
I'm a happy man. Hope i will still be after the game.

Laterz.


7/10

The game... OK, let's not talk about it (grrr).
Went to bed, slept for 4 hours, woke up at 6 to find out i got a beautiful diarrhea. Medicine worked preperly though (thank God).
Breakfast and then off for a beautifull walk through Ihlara Valley. Stunning, loved every bit of it.

Relaxing hour with coffee at a riverside to wait for the rest.
In the afternoon to the Underground City of Cappadocia. Nice, but not that exciting.
Views during the truckrides are beyond comprehension. So beautiful. Pictures can show it, but to give you a little impression:

Found a very nice camping lot afterwards, with a swimming pool. man did that feel good after a 42 degrees celcius day!
Good chat with Carlos (UK) to end the day of a few beers.



7/11

Rose at 7.30, breakfast and did my administration. Payed my taxes (for the dutch: BTW, don't know the english word), and updated my blog.
Going for another swim now. yeah.

Laterz.

Went to a carpet show for a demo. Some of us bought one, but... not my thing. Meanwhile i managed to do the shopping for dinner, since Tim and I had to cook.
Something weird happened to Chaz. Her leg started to bleed severly. Carlos and Brenda took her to a doctor and all seemed to be all right in the end. Still.. it worries me.
Anyway... everybody liked our food except me.
Did the dishes, beer and a short night of sleep, coz we had to do breakfast the next day.


7/12

Rose at 5, made breakfast for everyone and a long day on the truck followed.
We crossed half of Turkey to end up near Gumushane, where we bushcamped. Food, playing our guitars and an early nigh finilized the day.

On the road, week 2 (Romania - Turkey)

29/6

Rose at 8, breakfast and the short stroll (too short) through the lovely village. Could have easily spend the day there though.
10 am on our way to Dracula's castle (we are in Transalvania after all). Nice, but a tourist thing, so... 2 hours was enough for me. Besides that Dracula wasn't home.

Conitue our way to Bukarest, where Tim (UK) and I had to cook (Salmon with spaghetti).
Arrived at the camping lot round 6.30. Lots of dutch here. Nice to conversate with them and hear their stories. Most of them drive a camper.
The cooking went well. It's a stressy thing to do though.
Same time Holland played Mexico and some (dutch) neighbours told me Mexico was in the lead (1-0). Luckily Greg (thanks dude, owe you one) took over the last part of washing the dishes, so i could see the last 10 minutes of the game. Well... here is the story: 87th minute Holland scored even, 90th minute Holland scored again (penalty). I went crazy, where as Neil kept on saying: it was a flaw (and he was right, but i don't admit that).
Took a last beer in a cabin, that two fellow travelers rented, in order to get a comfortable night of sleep.


30/6

Rose at 6.45 and made breakfast for all together with Tim (scrambled eggs; succes once more).
Did my laundry.
Off to the center of Bukarest, together with Neils (USA) family. Saw the impressive parliaments building, but was not allowed on a tour, coz i  had forgotten my pasport (you need it to get an entrance ticket), so...
Meandered through the city of Bukarest (comparable to Budapest) back to the camping lot (which was about a 20 km walk).
Updating this blog now over a lovely cold beer. Quit evening, watching a boring football game (France Nigeria, 2-0).
Tomorrow we're off to Bulgeria.

All in all, still love this trip. Laterz.

1/7

Early rise again: 5.50. On the road at 7. Crossing borders at 10 (Romania -> Bulgaria).
Then to a nice nature park, with stunning views and a church in a cave...

Then another short drive to our camping lot, where i am sitting now... It's a great spot.. take a look at the view...

I'm happy!

Spend the evening watching football on a laptop (Belgium - USA : 2 -0) and drinking beer. It was late.
A good night sleep would follow.


2/7

Rose at 7.45, breakfast with pancakes, coffee and by taxi to Veliko Tarnovo, the wannabe capital of Bulgaria.
They're in the race for European cultural capital of 2019, so there's a free guided tour through the city. Lucky us.
Then a very nice dinner.

Then on our own (= Carlos, Allison & me) to see the fortress and some very old churches.
Really nice city. Back by taxi. Now updating blog and a cold, very tastefull beer. I'm pretty tired i must admit.
Last night in Veliko Tarnovo was a late dinner and a beer, then hit the sack.

Summary of Eastern Europe: very hospitable and friendly people (even when they can't earn money on you). The senery is stunning and the big cities get more western by the year.
Although their english is poor they always try to help.

3/7

Rose at 5.40h. Long tuck ride to Istanbul. 2 hours delay at the border, but... Istanbul is great.
Was here 24 years ago too, but a lot has changed. So much more touristic. Still a great city to stroll.
Found ourself a big hostel, right in the middle of the "old" city, with lots of other travelers. Nice.
Sitting outside, drinks, a little food and some good conversations made it late. Slept like a log for full 9 hours.


4/7

Rose at 9 (yes nine!!), showered and a fantastic breakfast on the roof terras of our hostel. I stuffed my self!
Took a long walk round the old city (the usual stuff: ayasofia, the bazaar, the museum) and meanwhile found an ATM and changed my last Bulgarian Leva's.
Then updated all my administration or better: almost all my admins, coz i'm afraid i lost my thingy to do internetbanking (lucliky i have a spare one, still..).
Now: updating blog and about to get some nice food.
Oh yeah, it rained and it was cold. Had to get my sweater back from the truck. Grrr.
2 beers and a football match (Germany - France 2-0, as to be expected) to kill the time.
Visited Ayasofia square at night (fantastic, another raisin in the porridge).
2 more beers and another football match (Brasil - Columbia 2-1, as to be expected too) to finalize the day.


5/7

Rose at 8.30, breakfast, and a long walk to the economic center of Istanbul. Love to explorations.
Did a boattrip on the Bosporus, which was fantastic.

Long stroll along the banks of the bosporus to see the everyday life of the Turks.
Crossed the new metrobridge.



Got myself a kebab (finally normal turkish prizes (instead of the touristic ones)), and returned to the hostel.
Updated my blog.

Tonight: 2 footbal matches, (Belgium - Argentina and.... Holland - Costa Rica, for a place in the semi finals....)
Makes me a bit nervous. See you tomorrow.
The match was fantastic. What a tension. The dutch won on penalties shoot out, but were so much better then Costa Rica.
I couldn't help but shouting at the end: "In your face Germany". It was a long long night and at 3 finally went to sleep.
In the dorm though were some strange activities going on (like a couple... doing it (it's a 30 bed dorm for crying out loud!)).
Luckily i was tired enough to sleep through the whole thing, but my mates had a errr   "hard time". Lol.