Sammys, Turkey, sun and fun.

Jerry Atrick · Post by **Jerry Atrick** » Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:26 am

In response to a request for photos when I first signed up with the club, I wondered if these might be of interest. My love-affair with the Samurai began in 1993 when my wife and I hired one to travel from Alanya in southern Turkey to Cappadoccia in Anatolia, central Turkey. It was a beautiful trip (1,400 km) travelling via Konya to get to Cappadocia, then returning through the Taurus mountains then via Mersin and along the beautiful south coast to get back to Alanya taking 8 days to do the trip.

Since then, in 2008, we've done a similar trip to Cappadoccia, but from Celcuk via Koycegiz (beautiful), Egirdir (even more beautiful), and Konya (lovely friendly busy city), then returning via Afyon (very 'conservative' but a nice stopping-place for a night - The Marble Hotel recommended) and Pamukale to Celcuk taking two weeks to do that one (2100 km).

On returning to Alanya in 2011 we hired another Sammy to travel west, but the beautiful old road had disappeared to make way for a motorway construction-site and I was glad we had a robust vehicle under us because, for about 20 miles, it was like driving across a quarry floor! We gave up in Anamur and returned to Alanya and used the remainder of the hire to travel around, and there are some nice places to visit near there (Old Town, Antalya itself for example).

We had minor faults with the jeeps on the Cappadocia trips, but I had taken the precaution of taking a few simple tools in my luggage and was able to fettle the problems. If you're tempted to try a similar adventure, Samurai jeeps were still quite common hire-vehicles in 2011 and not expensive. Wish I was there now! (The photo sequence may be chronologically back to front).

donkeychomp · Post by **donkeychomp** » Thu Jun 12, 2014 10:03 pm

Fond memories! Great pics.

Tramp · Post by **Tramp** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:36 pm

Brilliant, I love these pictures, a real timeline of SJ's, I'd love to visit turkey in my SJ or even travel there, buy a zook and drive back, they all look in good condition!

Rhinoman · Post by **Rhinoman** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:44 pm

I hired an SJ in Turkey a couple of years back, it was a 1998 coily, totally rust free but the suspension was rock hard and it had chronic bumpsteer - I did drive it hundreds of miles though. We got tooted at everywhere, it took us a while to realise that people were just saying hello and waving at us. Turkey seems rather backward at times with women out tilling the fields by hand and many ancient vehicles on the road. Most tourists travel from one tourist trap to another in air-conditioned coaches and don't see much of the real Turkey, we stopped at odd cafes and roadside spots and were made to feel very welcome. I would definately recommend a trip there.