Turkey (A) 19 June 2023 travel and accom

[bluephill]

Just heading back from Istanbul. Result aside a good trip. The Turks were great on the tram on the way to the ground. The atmosphere outside the stadium with all the music and food was brilliant. Shame about taking so long to get back, kind of killed the chance of a party after the game. The atmosphere created by the home fans was the loudest I’ve ever experienced at any stadium fair play. Samsun was a decent place and the locals seemed genuinely delighted for us to be there. The taxi drivers mind were absolutely fcking mental 😬

[cantonwelsh79]

Game aside, this was a great trip.
As much as I love Istanbul, the game there wouldn't have been the same or as good- the locals in Samsun were proud to be hosting the national team and it was a real event across the city. The hospitality we received from them was unbelievable. That noise in the stadium was deafening, we got drowned out every time a song was attempted.

Bars weren't easy to find in City centre but were there and those beach bars in Atakum were a good laugh, as was the gol party. (Which hopefully someone will take over from Leigh, who's done a great job for a good cause)

Roll on September!

[CrackityJones]

Agree we all had a great time in Samsun that probably wouldn’t have been replicated in the capital. Atmosphere was superb all game and will love long in the memory, as will the quality late night city centre kebabs!

[selsigdeganwy]

Jun 16, 2023 23:18:53 GMT felinessex said:

Drinking out in Atakum tonight. Very different atmosphere to the city centre, loads of bars.

Got a tram out there, a bit complicated getting a Samkart from the vending machine at the tram stop. The guy working there sorted us out.

We paid 40try - around £1.50 loaded on to one card. The local guru assured us we didn’t need a card apiece. He was right. We just swiped in using the same card.

Luckily none of the bars showed the Wales game. Watched Latvia v Turkey with a load of happy waiters.

Beers were around £3 a pint, grabbed kebab and chips at 2am for £3, then cab back to the city centre £4, including a generous tip.

I was based in the city centre & used my revolut card for the tram at 11 tl a trip or 37p. Great transport system in Samsun. I used a bus from the airport 50 tl and returned by yellow taxi (metered) to the airport and it came to around 300 tl or under a tenner.