41) SUNDAY, 7 AUGUST 1977 : 428KMS. - Before GEVAS
From ELAZIG we moved along the lake passing through BINGOL, MUS. Both sides of the road were high cliffs. It looked like a land apart, probably resulting by the earthquake, which made the earth splited and collapsed in the middle. That was the curved road we were driving along.
We reached TATVAN and then passed along the biggest lake VAN of Turkey ( 3,755 sq. km.).
From ELAZIG we moved along the lake passing through BINGOL, MUS. Both sides of the road were high cliffs. It looked like a land apart, probably resulting by the earthquake, which made the earth splited and collapsed in the middle. That was the curved road we were driving along.
We reached TATVAN and then passed along the biggest lake VAN of Turkey ( 3,755 sq. km.).
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| Akhtamar island on lake Van - Photo : wikipedia.org / Bing images search |
We saw a Turkish soldier, hitchhiking on the roadside and he asked for a lift to
his camp which was on our way to go. So we picked him up. We arrived at the soldier camp before dusk.
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| Lake Van - Google sattelite |
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| TRAVEL ROUTE FROM ELAZIG (A) VIA LAKE VAN (3,755 SQUARE KMS.) TO GEVAS (B) IN TURKEY ! |
We asked to camp overnight in the camp area. The chief of the military camp, ranking of a lieutenant extended his warm welcome, probably because we were generously giving a lift to his soldiers. He let us park overnight in the camp and welcomed us with the tea party. We had friendly conversation but he was not so keen at speaking English.
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| Near Tatvan - Photo : cerambyx.uochb.cz / Bing images search |
Along the eastern of our Turkey's journey route we drove through today, it is
well known that the children in this area, like throwing rocks at vehicles and to
windshields. It is, therefore, a must for some vehicles of tourists travelling through this area like
us to build or install a wire mesh sieve to protect the windshields and glass
headlights from throwing and flying stones.
But we are not equipped with any windshield protection !!
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| Turkish - Iranian border - Photo : maajabuyakweli.blogspot / Bing images search |
It would be very difficult to replace the
headlights or windshields in this area and there should be more other problems followed. Since we were not well protected, we had to keep looking at both sides of the
road, while using our both hands (and
both feet lifted up) to touch and support the windshield and side
windows almost all the way across
hundreds of kilometers . This was to prevent impact of stones flying against the windshield. Because the condition of the road was rough
and the rocks thrown by the wheels of cars that ran in front of us, we had to
leave the space to another car far enough, yet even when there was another car
coming from opposite site or overtaking . It may cause also this problem
.......
