26 July, Hasankeyf to Batman, 44km
Mesa Otel 80TL (breakfast included) (negotiated down from 90TL offer on
140TL price)
Charl’s “beautiful eyes” earned us an
additional discount at the three-star Mesa Otel. We had stopped there only to
ask directions to the Öğretmenevi, having
learned that higher-end hotels sometimes sport English-speaking receptionists
or managers. The manager, obviously keen to have us stay, suggested we would be
happier at his hotel than at the Öğretmenevi and when I said his hotel was too
expensive for us, said we could have a room for 90TL as opposed to the usual
140TL. Charl said: “Make it 80TL and you have a deal.” The manager responded
with: “For your beautiful eyes, OK.” Charl’s grey-blue eyes, particularly
noticeable in his sun-bronzed face, are attracting attention in this land of
mainly dark eyes. The ride to Batman was lovely, particularly the section that
followed the Tigris, cliffs reflected in the quiet waters.
Leaving Hasankeyf
Leaving Hasankeyf
Leaving Hasankeyf
Between Hasankeyf and Batman
Between Hasankeyf and Batman