Moving from Pamukkale to Ankara.
I will travel from Pamukkale to Ankara by bus.
There were rumors that there were scammers at the METRO office in Pamukkale, so I bought tickets online from DENIZLI to Ankara for 55 liras (approximately 2,550 yen, a discount from the regular price of 65 liras to 55 liras online). I couldn't purchase the tickets if I included the country code in the phone number, so I used my Japanese phone number without the country code, starting with 0. It seems like the system doesn't take into account people buying from abroad.
I checked out around 10:00 and went to the METRO office, where I was told that the tickets I bought were not for departure from there, but from DENIZLI, so I had to go to DENIZLI by dolmuş (shared shuttle bus) and get the tickets issued at the DENIZLI otogar (bus terminal).
The dolmuş (shared shuttle bus) costs 3.5 liras (approximately 162 yen), but I asked someone standing near the METRO office just in case, and they smiled faintly and said 100 liras (approximately 4,650 yen). It's not reasonable to charge 100 liras for just 10 km or so. I don't think many people would fall for that, but I simply said, "It's not true," and they smiled and told me the real price, 3.5 liras. It's a situation where even if you question them, they answer with a joke, so there's no need to push it further.
When I searched online, I found a post on the Earth's Round Trip Forum where someone said they were scammed by the staff at the METRO in Pamukkale. However, scams like this are very common in Turkey, and I wonder who actually falls for them.
So, I got on a dolmuş that was on the other side of the road and went to the DENIZLI otogar (bus terminal).
After eating a quick kebab sandwich in the area, I got my tickets issued at METRO and boarded a bus that arrived almost on time, and departed for Ankara. Departure time: 12:00. It's rare for them to run on time. This bus has a 1+2 seating arrangement, which is very spacious. There's a word written next to the bus that says "suite," so I guess that's what it means. I arrived in Ankara at 19:30, which was 30 minutes late, for a total travel time of 7 hours. Considering that it was supposed to be 7 hours, the time was almost perfect.
However, when I arrived at the Ankara otogar (bus terminal), I didn't know how to get to the city center.
METRO buses usually have a free shuttle bus to the city center, so I checked, and it turns out that there's a free shuttle bus (?), not from METRO, but from somewhere else, that goes to the city center.
I went to the opposite side of the floor where I arrived, where the bus I took was parked, and followed the directions, and there were people lined up. The names of the destinations were also written, and Ulus, where I wanted to go, was also listed, so I joined the line.
A yellow bus came, and I got on it. It was indeed free.
I got off at Ulus and walked to the hotel.
Since it was Sunday, the shops around the hotel were closed, and there were people who looked like homeless people sitting on the side of the road, so I was a little careful. When I used Google Maps, I realized that I was on the wrong side of the road, so I walked around the block and finally found the hotel.
Yavuz Hotel
Double room for 3 nights at 48 euros (approximately 6630 yen), including breakfast.
16 euros (approximately 2,210 yen) per night.
Originally, I was planning to stay at a different place, a dormitory for 10 euros without breakfast, which was a bit further out.
However, the difference of 10 euros to 16 euros meant:
From a dormitory to a double room.
From no breakfast to including breakfast (eating outside would cost about 3 euros).
From a less convenient location to a more convenient location.
So I changed to this hotel, and it turned out to be the right choice.
Perhaps the security at night might be a little bad, but since I basically don't go out at night, it's not a problem.
In the morning, when I went outside, I found that this area seems to be a hub for electronics and sewing shops, and it was bustling, which was a stark contrast to the quietness at night. With this much activity, I don't have to worry too much about security during the day. I arrived on a Sunday night, so it might have been particularly quiet.
There were rumors that there were scammers at the METRO office in Pamukkale, so I bought tickets online from DENIZLI to Ankara for 55 liras (approximately 2,550 yen, a discount from the regular price of 65 liras to 55 liras online). I couldn't purchase the tickets if I included the country code in the phone number, so I used my Japanese phone number without the country code, starting with 0. It seems like the system doesn't take into account people buying from abroad.
I checked out around 10:00 and went to the METRO office, where I was told that the tickets I bought were not for departure from there, but from DENIZLI, so I had to go to DENIZLI by dolmuş (shared shuttle bus) and get the tickets issued at the DENIZLI otogar (bus terminal).
The dolmuş (shared shuttle bus) costs 3.5 liras (approximately 162 yen), but I asked someone standing near the METRO office just in case, and they smiled faintly and said 100 liras (approximately 4,650 yen). It's not reasonable to charge 100 liras for just 10 km or so. I don't think many people would fall for that, but I simply said, "It's not true," and they smiled and told me the real price, 3.5 liras. It's a situation where even if you question them, they answer with a joke, so there's no need to push it further.
When I searched online, I found a post on the Earth's Round Trip Forum where someone said they were scammed by the staff at the METRO in Pamukkale. However, scams like this are very common in Turkey, and I wonder who actually falls for them.
So, I got on a dolmuş that was on the other side of the road and went to the DENIZLI otogar (bus terminal).
After eating a quick kebab sandwich in the area, I got my tickets issued at METRO and boarded a bus that arrived almost on time, and departed for Ankara. Departure time: 12:00. It's rare for them to run on time. This bus has a 1+2 seating arrangement, which is very spacious. There's a word written next to the bus that says "suite," so I guess that's what it means. I arrived in Ankara at 19:30, which was 30 minutes late, for a total travel time of 7 hours. Considering that it was supposed to be 7 hours, the time was almost perfect.
However, when I arrived at the Ankara otogar (bus terminal), I didn't know how to get to the city center.
METRO buses usually have a free shuttle bus to the city center, so I checked, and it turns out that there's a free shuttle bus (?), not from METRO, but from somewhere else, that goes to the city center.
I went to the opposite side of the floor where I arrived, where the bus I took was parked, and followed the directions, and there were people lined up. The names of the destinations were also written, and Ulus, where I wanted to go, was also listed, so I joined the line.
A yellow bus came, and I got on it. It was indeed free.
I got off at Ulus and walked to the hotel.
Since it was Sunday, the shops around the hotel were closed, and there were people who looked like homeless people sitting on the side of the road, so I was a little careful. When I used Google Maps, I realized that I was on the wrong side of the road, so I walked around the block and finally found the hotel.
Yavuz Hotel
Double room for 3 nights at 48 euros (approximately 6630 yen), including breakfast.
16 euros (approximately 2,210 yen) per night.
Originally, I was planning to stay at a different place, a dormitory for 10 euros without breakfast, which was a bit further out.
However, the difference of 10 euros to 16 euros meant:
From a dormitory to a double room.
From no breakfast to including breakfast (eating outside would cost about 3 euros).
From a less convenient location to a more convenient location.
So I changed to this hotel, and it turned out to be the right choice.
Perhaps the security at night might be a little bad, but since I basically don't go out at night, it's not a problem.
In the morning, when I went outside, I found that this area seems to be a hub for electronics and sewing shops, and it was bustling, which was a stark contrast to the quietness at night. With this much activity, I don't have to worry too much about security during the day. I arrived on a Sunday night, so it might have been particularly quiet.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Today, I will first go to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
It is more fulfillment than I expected, and I am satisfied.
It is more fulfillment than I expected, and I am satisfied.
Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi).
Next, I'm going to Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi).
I heard that the area isn't very safe, so I'm being careful.
Indeed, there are many houses of people living in poverty in the surrounding area, so it's probably better to be careful, but I was able to go there without any problems.
I heard that the area isn't very safe, so I'm being careful.
Indeed, there are many houses of people living in poverty in the surrounding area, so it's probably better to be careful, but I was able to go there without any problems.
Roman bath ruins (Roma Hamamı).
Next, I went to the Roman bath ruins (Roma Hamamı).
After entering, it suddenly started raining, so I quickly left.
It was a small place that could be seen quickly.
After entering, it suddenly started raining, so I quickly left.
It was a small place that could be seen quickly.
In order to avoid the confusion caused by the Greek crisis, the route has been changed.
I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →I may be worrying too much, but I thought there was no need to go to Greece now, so I changed the route.
The original course was to fly north from Greece to Poland and then go south.
Turkey → Bulgaria →
Ulus Square.
There is Ulus Square near the lodging.
It is located in part of the central district of Ankara, and it is often featured in the news.
It is said that demonstrations are held in this area, and that there have been clashes between demonstrators and the police.
Of course, it is not always chaotic, and when I went, it was a normal town.
However, this area is not known for its good security, so it is a place where you need to take minimal precautions.
Fortunately, I did not feel any danger during my stay.
It is located in part of the central district of Ankara, and it is often featured in the news.
It is said that demonstrations are held in this area, and that there have been clashes between demonstrators and the police.
Of course, it is not always chaotic, and when I went, it was a normal town.
However, this area is not known for its good security, so it is a place where you need to take minimal precautions.
Fortunately, I did not feel any danger during my stay.
Republic Museum (Cumhuriyet Müzesi).
Next, I went to the Museum of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Müzesi).
I was able to see things like the parliament building (?) and the Prime Minister's office.
I was able to see things like the parliament building (?) and the Prime Minister's office.
State Art and Sculpture Museum
Next, I went to the State Art and Sculpture Museum.
The entrance fee was free.
It's a museum where you can feel the difference in taste. I like things like this.
The entrance fee was free.
It's a museum where you can feel the difference in taste. I like things like this.
Ethnography Museum.
Next, I am going to the Ethnography Museum.
This is also included in the museum pass.
This is also included in the museum pass.
Ulus Food Market (Ulus Vegetable Market).
On the way back to the hotel, I saw that there was a Ulus food market (Ulus Sebze Halinden), so I stopped by.
First, drink grapefruit juice at the entrance.
Inside, various items were being sold,
and mackerel, which looked like it could be used for mackerel sandwiches, was being sold for 2.9 liras.
It seems that most of the mackerel is from Norway, but it is not clear whether this is from local waters or from Norway.
In any case, mackerel seems to be relatively expensive, so the fact that mackerel sandwiches are sold for 4 liras (on the Asian side of Istanbul) or 8 liras (in the old city of Istanbul) doesn't seem like a bad price.
First, drink grapefruit juice at the entrance.
Inside, various items were being sold,
and mackerel, which looked like it could be used for mackerel sandwiches, was being sold for 2.9 liras.
It seems that most of the mackerel is from Norway, but it is not clear whether this is from local waters or from Norway.
In any case, mackerel seems to be relatively expensive, so the fact that mackerel sandwiches are sold for 4 liras (on the Asian side of Istanbul) or 8 liras (in the old city of Istanbul) doesn't seem like a bad price.
(After returning from Cappadocia)
Moving from Cappadocia to Ankara.
I have already been to Ankara once, but since it is a starting point for Cappadocia, I will return from Cappadocia to Ankara.
It takes about 4 hours by bus.
The accommodation in Ankara is as follows:
MG Hostel
Dormitory, 10 euros per night (approximately 30 liras, 1360 yen)
It takes about 4 hours by bus.
The accommodation in Ankara is as follows:
MG Hostel
Dormitory, 10 euros per night (approximately 30 liras, 1360 yen)
Atatürk Mausoleum (Anıtkabir).
I went to visit Atatürk's Mausoleum (Anıtkabir) during the evening opening hours.
It was much larger and more magnificent than I expected, and even though the admission was free, there were museum exhibits, so I enjoyed it.
It was much larger and more magnificent than I expected, and even though the admission was free, there were museum exhibits, so I enjoyed it.
