Good morning. It’s day 4 and I’m in Istanbul. Starting with a delicious Turkish breakfast. Cheese pide and menemeh
Just crossed the Bosphorus Bridge. I’m really in Asia now
At Sogutlucesme Railway Station now. Airport Security style check at the entrance.
Boarding the @TCDDTasimacilik Istanbul - Ankara Yuksek Hizli Tren (YHT) high speed train build by Siemens.
This line started operating in 2009 and should bring me to the destination in 4h 15 mins at 250km/h.
Boarded the YHT. I’m “flying” business class. Something I never do in Europe because I find it too expensive and 2nd is totally fine for me.
This one only cost €9 so I treated myself. Comes with Turkish movies and music in media system. Very enjoyable. No wifi though.
They even have “cabin crew” who are offering free drinks, cookies and headphones. I am really enjoying this experience so far.
It’s been going really fast. The top speed I measured was 261km/h. Not far from Ankara now
Arrived at Ankara Gar. Very modern station. Ride went smooth.
Tonight I’m staying at this very nice looking and fancy hotel in Ankara. Believe it or not, this cost me €1 more than last nights budget hostel in Istanbul: €18
A few weeks ago I announced my trip on LinkedIn. This guy Hilmi saw that and told me that he wanted to welcome me to Ankara. So we did and had a fun night out. Travelling alone can be lonely sometimes so things like this are priceless.
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Günaydın Istanbul! Do I need to say more?
I reached the city around 6 this morning. Got me a chai and pide and rushed to the Bosphorus to see the sunset. Behind me is the bridge that connects to Asia. Quite unbelievable that within 48 hours I reached Asia from Amsterdam, by land
In my original plan I wanted to enter Iran on January 7 so should have continued today. As the border is closed until Jan 9 I now have 2 extra days in Turkey. So will spend 1 night here and tomorrow in Ankara for sightseeing.
So here is some news. The event I was supposed to speak at the Expo has been cancelled. Really a big let down, I have been preparing and looking forward to this for months and was well on the way.
I do still feel like continuing the trip and hopefully I’ll find another platform.
Good morning from the Dacia Express. This is the day 2 thread!
Had a decent sleep although two times interrupted by police who came in to check passports and the train stopped a few times.
The best part was waking up: love to stare outside and see the cloudy landscape pass by.
I will be on this train until 4pm. Then I have 4 hours in Bucharest to get a proper meal and find the bus terminal. Keep following as I’m going to explore this train today.
Just went to the @_DiningCar. Looks pretty neat. Sadly they don’t take cards and didn’t have time to take out money so I’m surviving on some peanut bars my mom gave me. I thought they would come in handy.
I'm gone! Amsterdam - Dubai by train, bus and ferry. In 10 days I'll try to cross 9 countries and the Persian Gulf to speak at @expo2020dubai.
Looking forward to my trip. Love slow travel, meeting new people and seeing the scenery gradually change.
This is the route that will take me to Dubai. It'll be an adventure for sure. Iran is closed right now and if it doesn't open on time I need to find another way.
Today's first task is to reach Vienna. Just one short stop in Frankfurt.
So far so good. Just crossed German border. Train is fully packed. Even people standing. Might be a lot people who are returning home from Christmas.