So much beauty and history

Just fabulous

9.9.21   When we woke today in Tatvan we realised we were parked in a textile factory car park, people were arriving for work.

We’d had the sleeping bag at the ready as although it was a wonderful 27 degrees in the daytime, then drops to 10 degrees at night and we needed that extra layer.

It was a good view to wake up to.

We set off towards Diyarbakır, and the photoshoot en route.

Nanananananananana….

I apologised to the man, did my best Batman impersonation which he totally ignored while he asked if the panels on the roof were for the sun. Evet, güneş paneli var. Hmmmph he replied.

Later we saw a sign for Malabadı Köprüsü and went to investigate.

So glad we did, amazing!!

https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6113/

Looking at the huge bodies of water around the area we wonder if the dam could be part of the project to flood Hasankeyf. We would have loved to have visited there but sadly nothing much left to see now. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/07/05/world/middleeast/turkey-erdogan-hasankeyf-Ilisu-dam.amp.html

Further reading shows its a different dam but this bridge almost suffered the same fate. https://www.alaturka.info/en/turkey-country/southeastern/5283-batman-bridge-on-the-reservoir-the-malabadi-bridge

Onwards to Diyarbakır. There was little greenery and no mountains around us, although we saw several huge flocks of sheep and goats we’ve no idea what they eat.

Diyarbakır is the biggest city in this area and we didn’t want to navigate our way through it but luckily HZ Mosque, St. Georges Church and a lovely Ataturk museum were all together by the city walls.

From here we drove towards Mardin and stopped for a toastie on the way.

As we arrived and turned a corner we had a real wow moment.

We were looking for a park4night recommendation. We followed the directions…. We went into the old town, up a ridiculously steep hill, along one way, sharp left another until we reached a gap almost the same size as Naz.

I freaked out at this point and forbade John to go any further! Total respect for how he reversed out again.

We pulled over on some waste ground to check the map again. A group of kids had gathered by this time, fascinated to see dogs travelling with us. We got so many questions and they were mostly nice lads, especially the one who thought I was 36.. Some others came to see what was going on and started asking for money and trying to open the door to see the dogs. Time to leave.

John found Mardin karavan park on line. After losing signal and going the wrong way twice we pulled into the car park. 50tl charge.

A friendly family live on site and there are loads of cars and vans here that have been impounded by the police. There are several dogs that belong to them, chickens and homing pigeons. Maisy really wanted those pigeons.

We had a wander after doing a few chores, washing dog bedding etc. It was starting to get dark.

I’m not sure what to make of this old town. Are they very poor or is it a desirable area?

We wandered along the main road where 2 weddings are taking place. We also saw Mardin Karavan Park.. Almost opposite where we are in one of the wedding venues. Cheers google yet again, your destination is on your right, my arse.

Our car park has more character. It reminds me of my childhood visits to scrapyards. They should start stacking them, I might suggest it.

After our wander we were invited to sit and eat with the family, we declined but were almost force-fed some dolma, rice wrapped in vine leaves, they were delicious.

I’m laying here writing this with the back doors open as it’s still very hot, it’s been 37 degrees today. There’s 2 loud weddings, drums, children playing, dogs barking but I really wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel so content and think I could quite happily give everything up and travel full time. The longer we’re experiencing different things the more I love it.

John’s tinkering with Naz, he just found another cup holder and an ashtray. That’s handy.

He’s finished now, think I’ll make us some dinner dinner dinner dinner Batman 😂😂

Goodnight from Mardin

Thought for this evening, we are currently a 53 minute drive from the Syrian border. 😳

Night night x