We decided to catch a dolmuş run by a group called "Hassle Free" from our hotel in Istanbul to Canakkale. The only drawback for me was that they also included a tour to Gallipoli which I had decided not to visit. BUT needs must so off we went.... see Roger's Gallipoli blog.
The name Dolmuş is derived from Turkish for "apparently stuffed"; describing how often these taxis are filled to the brim. They usually only depart from the terminal when a sufficient number of passengers have boarded, so timetables can be a bit of a hit and miss affair.
The name Dolmuş is derived from Turkish for "apparently stuffed"; describing how often these taxis are filled to the brim. They usually only depart from the terminal when a sufficient number of passengers have boarded, so timetables can be a bit of a hit and miss affair.
One tourist described riding in a dolmuş as being "terrifying, awe-inspiring, confusing, incomprehensible, charming, hospitable and alien" Luckily the one that Errol, our lovely guide, had recommended was a brand new Mercedes, complete with onboard wifi and cups of tea on demand! More like an airline than a bus.
A full on day, leaving Istanbul at 6.30am for a five hour trip to Eceabat where lunch was waiting ... hot! hot.
And then on to Gallipoli... At the end I was left with overwhelming sadness. As our guide said "We were fighting for our country, but why did you fight so bravely? You fought for nothing." I had no answer. It makes no sense to me.
Just as with the fighting today...
innocent lives lost for what?
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