Proof that I crossed into Turkey through Ipsala!
This definitely wasn’t part of the plan!
Well, much as I like the peace and serenity of the British Consulates that I’ve experienced around the world, I certainly didn’t plan to visit the one in Istanbul. However, a rather concerning text message from my previous stoker gave me good reason to come here…
When we arrived into Turkey via the Ipsala border control point, despite asking for a visa and passport stamp, the officials insisited we just cycled on through. We thought nothing of it – that is until Kez tried to leave the country on Wednesday of this week. With no visa or passport stamp, he was taken to the police station and had his fingerprints and mugshot taken – and was told that if he ever came back to Turkey, he would have to pay a three hundred pound fine…
That text had me worried – for as things stand, I am an illegal immigrant! However, I didn’t think it was going to cause quite such a palava. After all, my GPS tracker shows that I went through the Ipsala border – and I don’t even want to stay in Turkey for anywhere near the 90 day visa limit. Yet even so, I am being informed that as things stand, if Turkish authorities take me to one side and check my documents, they will almost certainly detain and deport me. This is pretty catastrophic for my trip…as Turkey is the key to all of the countries that lay beyond.
I guess I shall have to wait and see what magic strings can be pulled by the ever-so helpful British Consulate staff. Things don’t look good though (if I get kicked out, I can’t re-enter without paying the three hundred pound fine! & without going through Turkey, there isn’t really a way to get through to SE Asia…at least on a tandem anyway!)
So yes…a perfect storm has begun swirling above my adventure. I just hope there is some easy way to escape it!
I’ll update as and when I have more news…
Thanks for following my progress,
Laurence
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Hope the visa gets sorted soon!
Love Fiona and Paul
Many thanks for the message. I guess things happen for a reason – and it was quite fortuitous that the visas didn’t come through…for my rear wheel failed just 600km from Istanbul. As I’m now heading back into Europe, it has been (marginally) easier to get it fixed. If I were in Iran though, I would be in a very, very difficult spot!!
I’ve also met some unbelievably helpful and generous Bulgarians, and am really enjoying this part of the ride.
So yes, frustrating about the visas – but fortunate too.
Hi Laurence,
Sounds a nightmare for you. Hope you get it sorted out my friend.
Ron
I didn’t get the visas sorted….but I’m now having a most random and interesting journey back through Europe. I am currently sitting in the flat of a genleman by the name of Kiril…who plucked me from the train station in Sofia, and proceeded to help me get my bike fixed. This on the back of a day where I had already had a great bunch of school kids and an old chap by the name of Itzor help me for hours on end in my quest to get my bike sorted.
I keep thinking I’ve found THE most hospitable of countries…and then I have even more generosity elsewhere. A really great experience…and it’s definitely compelled me to learn more about the Balkans, where seemingly similar peoples seem to be so divided on the basis of articificial country boundaries.
The long and the short of it though – my bike wheel is fixed – which means I can continue cycling the remaining 2,400km back to the UK…which i’ll hopefully complete within 20 days.
I’ll be in touch upon my return (who knows, I may even pop up to Kilbarchan!)
I hope you are all well
Laurence! I have family friends that live in Turkey! Would you like their contact information? Are you still there? I’m so jealous!!! Also, I am saving up $$ to meet you somewhere along your route, where do you think is a good place?
Miss you dearly!
-Sophie
Hi Lawrence,
Don’t worry, you have not let anyone down.
.
YOU HAVE DONE GOOD.
Love and Blessings,
Bob and Moy Parfitt