Thread by @WiebeWkkr

Day 7. I’m wearing thermal underwear. Suat is bringing me from Dogubeyazit to the border. I’ve been in Dogu before, and had some problems here, on my way to Australia by EV. Suat already helped me back then. Let’s see if we can enter Iran today. It think my chance is 5%.

The sights are again spectaculair

Exited Turkey. Now in the always weird no man’s land. So far so good.

Oké bad luck. Iran is still closed for tourists. It’s not a shock, as the omicron case didn’t improve over the past weeks I expected this. I anticipated this and have a plan B but need to double check if on that route nothing changed. Will announce new plans asap.

On the upside: I still have my visa for Iran so if they reopen in the coming period I can make my way back home via Iran and can spend more time in the country than the 4 days I had now. Winning!

In the dolmus back to Dogubeyazit

Already on a 18 hour bus that is part of plan B and I haven’t even been able to check if this plan is still possible. Im on a nuts race against the clock.

Here’s my new plan. I’m now on a bus to Iraq. From there I fly to Jordan. From Amman I can continue by land to Saudi Arabia. Catch a train and eventually arrive in Abu Dhabi by bus.

This involves flying as by land was not possible anymore. I’ve chosen the shortest air route.

This is really sweet. My friend Armin was waiting for me at the Iranian side of the border. His family had prepared a welcome breakfast and send this nice video. Hopefully I can meet them on the way back!

(Posted with permission)

Quick toilet stop earlier today. It’s special area Kurdistan. Not just the snow but the people, houses, colours, all are very characteristic. Can’t really explain it. Something you have to see probably

Arrived in Diyarkabir after a 9.5 hour bus ride. I’m starting to feel a bit exhausted from the rush of the past days. Although I’m spending most time on a seat, all the moving in between and now the stress of switching to a new plan, I can feel it. In 1.5 hours next ride to Erbil

The bus ride I did today and the ride coming up.

Coach services in Turkey seem to be the common way of intercity travelling. It’s well arranged. You go to terminal (Otogar), show your passport and you receive your ticket by SMS or voucher. All busses so far departed exactly on time. Tea and coffee served. Drivers change often.

Crossed the Iraqi border at 4am last night. Quite the experience. Had a PCR test but “expired” so had to do one there for $35. Gave a €50 note, got a $10 bill and local cash in return. Swab in my nose but could enter without the result. Visa was $70

On the right first passport check, left “Covid Test Lab”

Reached Erbil at 8.30. Spend 20 hours on the bus with no sleep. Feeling very weird right now. Kurdish Iraq really is Middle East. Can’t wait to see more of the city.