On 8th October, 2013 we were in Dogubayazit Turkey, fulfilling a dream, namely to visit the Ishak Pasha Palace in the far east of Turkey. Although we had some idea what the Palace would be like, (you can see our photos here), we had no idea what the town itself would be like.
In case there are others wondering the very same thing, I have put together some photos that I think capture the spirit of the place.
Ishak Pasha was very close to Dogubayazit – like 5 minutes close – so after a couple of hours absorbing the palace and it’s romantic setting, made even more so by the addition of an early sprinkling of Autumn snow, we retired my delicate tummy back to the hotel. We did get out for a wander around though.
The East of Turkey conversely had a Wild West feel about it, which was very much part of it’s appeal. I think this befringed Taxi Bike says it all, the disco glitter and eyes adding the perfect finishing touch. Old ladies rode regally in the side cart squashed by their shopping, while the old men rode pillion.
Tad Restaurant was our eating place of choice. They had a Lokantasi style Bain Marie at the rear that held all my favourites, while Marty preferred to order their mixed Pide’s. The second night he did however, try and love my staple Mercimek Corba (turkish lentil soup) for an entree. We and the other diners ate downstairs, but on a trip to the toilet I was surprised to find another huge room set up upstairs for diners as well. Surprisingly there was only one toilet to serve the whole place as far as I could see. The Doner Guy at the front of the shop always waved and had a welcoming smile plus the cook and staff at the back were friendly as well. I would recommend eating there. They were at 101/c Abdullah Baydar Cad.
At home Marty cannot resist hardware stores, especially on a Sunday. Luckily this one was closed.
I first noticed the trolleys in Pasinler on our route from Tortum the day before, but in Dogubayazit they were everywhere. If they weren’t transporting stock purposefully around town they were serving as mobile greengrocer shops. Have you noticed that most of the men were smokers?
Seems like the Postal Service has standard supplied delivery bikes – no fringes for the PTT.
Stick brooms were to become a common sight out East. Sometimes they came without the handle – for smaller jobs I guess.
We were headed for Kars but still in Dogubayazit when a man stepped in front of our car with his hand raised in the universal stop sign. If in a Hollywood Movie he would be cast as the KGB agent and I had no doubts that there was a handgun tucked away inside his coat (I dared not photograph him). Needless to say we waited… and waited… until finally a convoy of black VIP vehicles drove up the street before turning in front of us. I had the feeling that anything was possible in Dogubayazit.
But I wasn’t complaining as I had the perfect opportunity afterward to photograph Mt. Ararat.
Food was the same price and quality as in the west of Turkey, but I would suggest paying more for accommodation here than in the West. Visit Nancie over at Budget Travelers Sandbox for Travel Photo Thursday.
Also Read:
Eastern Turkey Self Drive Itinerary
Tortum to Dogubayazit in Eastern Turkey Day 3
Exploring the Georgian Mountains of North-East Turkey Day 2
When to Visit the Black Sea Coast of Eastern Turkey and a road trip surprise. Day 1
Favourite Turkish Photos for Day 25 of the Indie30 Challenge
We really liked Doğubeyazıt. Can’t remember the name of the lokanta we ate at the food was amazing – a real meat feast. 🙂 Unfortunately, we couldn’t get too many photos of the town because it was absolutely bucketing down.
Julia
When we were there they ripped the street up each day outside our hotel, then at night they filled the hole in, only to dig it up in a different place the next day. It must have rained a little because the roads were very muddy. I remember how green everything was in your photos. I don’t think they get that much normally?
You have made me very interested in visiting eastern Turkey. I love the sound of the wild west feel and your photos really smack with that feeling.
It certainly is different to the west Leigh. Amazing scenery and a different feel to the Towns. Kars was my favourite although we didn’t get to Erzurum.
It does sound like anything is possible in Dogubayazit, Jan. Your photos are absolutely beautiful.
Oh, I was in Toronto recently and saw a Doner Kebab restaurant. I’d already eaten and decided to return but didn’t get a chance to.
Hi Marcia, I am not surprised that Toronto has a Doner Kebab restaurant. In fact we ate similar food in Bloor Street near Spadina.
That palace seemed so isolated in your earlier post that I am surprised this busy town is located nearby. The food looks delicious, and the names of the dishes do not sound as unfamiliar to me because you’ve mentioned them before. I think I’d be nervous riding in a taxi bike seeing as how a Thai tuk-tuk which is more enclosed already scares me.
The Taxi Bikes do look exposed but the traffic was not as crazy as in Asia and I got the feeling they were used for short journeys. It is amazing that the Palace is in such desolate (in Autumn) surroundings as it is very close to Dogubayazit. Very convenient 🙂
It looks like an interesting town and your photos are very interesting too! If you like photography, maybe you’d like to participate in the next edition of our Travel Photography Competition? Every week we publish 3 winning shots on our website and write a nice bio with a link to the photographers’ websites/FB/Flickr pages.
Find more details here: http://hitchhikershandbook.com/your-contributions/travel-photography/
Have a nice weekend!
I loved our trip around Turkey (so long ago) and I’ve always wanted to go back and explore further west. You’ve only confirmed that! Wonderful pictures (tasty, too).
As I write about the trip I find myself wanting to go back and do another driving trip taking in places we didn’t get to see this time, like Erzurum, Van and further west toward Sanliurfa and Gaziantep. I think you would love visiting Turkey especially as your last trip was a while ago Bronwyn.
Thanks for the great tour, Jan! I would love to bomb around Dogubayazit in the side car of one of those taxi motorcycles, and then eat lentil soup. Thanks for linking to Travel Photo Thursday this week.
I can imagine you doing that Nancie!
Interesting… I wish to visit someday…
Great shot of Mount Ararat – mountains are so elusive, so I guess it’s good the KGB stopped you. 🙂 The mixed pide looks right up my alley, but the lentil soup would be great too!
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to explore eastern Turkey when we were there, but it’s definitely a region that I have to visit the next time around. That pide looks amazing, and your shot of Mt. Ararat is gorgeous!
The food looks delicious and what a great view of Mt. Ararat. I always enjoy your stories and what another great adventure through eastern Turkey.
How wonderful to read this post about somewhere else in Turkey. not many people go to the East but it is a great cultural adventure. Glad you enjoyed yourself
It definitely was a cultural adventure Michael. We loved driving around Eastern Turkey. I particularly liked Kars.
I always reply to Michael, but am never sure if I should really be replying to Natalie?