D5 - Saturday 20-9-08 Antakya, Turkey

At around 4.00am, we passed the Syrian Immigration check point. After paying 500SP=Rm38 for departure tax, the bus continued the journey until we reached the Turkey Immigration complex. The Turkey side was pretty strict when checking our luggages and passengers with excessive foodstuff had their items confisticated on the spot. One local guy was furious when few of his food packages were detained.

At 6.00 am,I arrived at Antakya, a border town in Turkey. Took a mini bus to Antakya's garage (bus station) and bought a bus ticket (32TRL=Rm91.20) to Nevsehir. As I need some Turkish Lira to pay for my bus fare and food, I exchanged some money with the bus company but the exchange rate was not that attractive. Along the way to Cappadocia, I observed Turkey has more greeneries than Jordan & Syria and I enjoyed the beautiful view of the country side. After a six hour ride, we arrived at Nevsehir and continued with our bus journey ( 12.5TRL=Rm35.60) to Goreme, which is in Cappadocia.

On arrival in Goreme, I walked to the Tourism Information office and sought their help in making a call to our hostel, Traveller's Cave Pension. Within minutes, a van came and picked us up to an errie shaped hostel. I parted with my Japanese buddy as the hostel was full with one dorm bed ( 12.5TRL=Rm35.60) left for me.

After a long tiresome bus ride from Aleppo>Antakya>Nevsehir>Goreme (12 hours on the bus) , I retired earlier to bed. My first night sleeping in a natural cave room !

"Cappadocia lives up to be a Natural Wonder of the world - a great place for honeymooners"