The Great Roadway Bazaar

[lostworldexpedition]

I am really enjoying your Mongol adventure. Are you doing it again next year or is it a once in a lifetime?Can we have a Portal caravan in the rally next year? Just daydreaming about it!


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[haven]

Istanbul has existed as an important political, cultural and economic center for almost 2700 years. There are few other cities that can claim such importance for such a long period.

The original city on the site of modern day Istanbul was Byzantion, first established about 650 BC. The city was absorbed into the Macedonian empire when Alexander's father, Philip, conquered the kingdom of Thrace around 350 BC.

When invading armies of European barbarians made life a bit too dangerous in Rome, Emperor Constantine moved his residence in 330 AD from Rome to Byzantion, or Byzantium as the Romans called it. After Constantine's death, the city was renamed Constantinople in his honor.

Constantinople continued as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for another 1000 years. While the size of the empire waxed and waned during that period, the city remained a beacon of culture and cosmopolitan living. The Eastern Roman Empire finally dissolved with the capture of the city by forces of the Ottoman Empire in 1453.

Rather than destroy the city, the Ottoman sultans moved in and made Constantinople their capital city. The Ottoman empire continued to exist until 1923, when modern day Turkey was formed. The city was known as Constantinople until 1930, when its name was changed to Istanbul.

 

[Scott Brady]

We just made camp on the Black Sea

 

[imagodave]

Team comes in around 4:46

 

[LC4Dakar]

Looks like they're close to the head of the line to cross into Georgia.

 

[franeuro]

Looks like he didn't get very far since :Wow1:
Is he looking for another Giorgia???

 

[dzzz]

Looks like a fenced area. Maybe they are done for the day.

 

[franeuro]

Gone! Now in Batumi, off to find a place to relax for the night...:victory:

 

[Scott Brady]

The border crossing was insane. Crazy truck drivers loitering in the line (I thought they might be the typical border conmen at first, but they were harmless, and mostly bored).

The Turkish side was solid and efficient, with very professional border officials (as was the entry). The Georgian side was far too small and slow. Not particularly inefficient, but only two lines. The Georgian side backed-up into the Turkish side. It took us two hours to clear the Turkish side and then another two to make it through the Georgian back-up. No signs of corruption on either side. The Georgians required the vehicle to go through with the registered owner only (Charlie in this case), so I had to pass through as a pedestrian. Interestingly, they noticed my passport was US, and took me to the front of the line, passing all of the Turks and Greeks- that felt a bit odd. Charlie is new to driving a manual, so the next 40 minutes or so was a fun challenge for him with all the stopping and starting and a little ramp up to the inspection area. He did great- I was proud of him.

Georgia is an interesting country, predominantly Christian and so far feels like a slightly creepy(er) version of Las Vegas. There is a mini Bellagio fountain, huge hotels and casinos. Seriously, I had NO idea it would be like this (we passed a massive, new Sheraton). Looking forward to venturing beyond this area and see the countryside and meeting the people.

Sorry for the crappy iPhone shot

 

[Scott Brady]

Here is our track so far

 

[Scott Brady]

Inspected the truck and recharged the AC. Ready for the bad roads to the east. The truck was nearly perfect, though about a half-quart low on oil, most likely due to the 4,000 RPM cruising on the Autobahn.

The Turks were awesome, and members of a local 4wd club (we stopped at this shop because of the nice defender out front). They refused payment and treated us with the most impressive hospitality, showing pictures of their 4wd adventures and showing us their trucks. They presented us with coffee, tea and cold waters and ensured Charlie and I had the few chairs to sit on as they stood. Wonderful people.

 

[franeuro]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the posts. Georgia as a country is not in a very good state and has many problems with Russia. Though christian, the country's not a latin country. It lies somewhere in between two worlds.
Glad to hear that little Jimny is fit enough to go on and you don't yet need us to ship parts over to the wild East...
Take care!
Looking forward reading your next post...

 

[franeuro]

Regarding Trabzon Offroad Kulubu, if you ever come accross Turkey again, here is where you'll get all the adequate information http://tr-off.com/

 

[LC4Dakar]

Chuck needs to get used to driving. Splitting up the driver and the passenger(s) is standard practice entering Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.
Probably all of the Stans (Russian influence).

We found Turkey amazingly friendly and helpful. One guy drove 10 miles out of his way to show us to a hotel and wouldn't accept any money for gas. He even called ahead on his cell phone and made reservations for us!

 

[franeuro]

We found Turkey amazingly friendly and helpful. One guy drove 10 miles out of his way to show us to a hotel and wouldn't accept any money for gas. He even called ahead on his cell phone and made reservations for us!

Would'nt YOU do the same in the US for someone from Europe? I would do it - and have already done it - for anybody from anywhere without doubt. Just because it's so nice when it happens to you!