WE DROVE 5,000 MILES FOR THIS! (Van Life Mardin - Turkey)

[@Larrysusmanuk]

Thanks enjoy a coffee on us and thanks for the great videos 👌🏻

[@courtsandmeeks]

Aw Larry that's so kind thank you. Was the buy us a coffee link easy to use?

[@Larrysusmanuk]

@@courtsandmeeks yes very, but not sure if that’s the best way to support you! Or just the easiest 😁

[@patriciadrysdale731]

another great video guys scenery out of this world have never been to Turkey so we are enjoying everywhere you have been. we are in late sixties and would not be able to do the mountains like you young ones so look forward to see where you are next week stay safe xxPat

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thanks Pat! Glad we help to take you to see some new places 🧡 it's such a lovely feeling for us to think we're helping you explore places you never have!

[@ianinnes8063]

Turkey neverfails to excite and inspire plus love chai i didnt go right to top as i couldnt manage the walk as ive serious back issues but even the carpark was epic . Love turkey .

[@courtsandmeeks]

The views from the car park were still incredible, weren't they! Sorry to hear you couldn't make it all the way to the top to see the statues

[@ianinnes8063]

@@courtsandmeeks hi yea i was miffed i never got to see the statues although ive seen skmilar in other parts of turkey think it was antalya in a museam with a glass floor u actually walked over where they had excavated the ancient site then there are heads in the water in the citerns museam in istanbul thesrs fish galore in the tanks too .. its a lovely cool place on a hot day i recomend a visit if ur in istanbul again . But yea there were great views all around that area i had a hire car at the time a little red fiat 500 the modern one ofcourse . It was a nippy little ghing very comfy to sit in and drive . Wasnt brilliant on fuel for the small engine . But i so enjoyed driving round turkey . Met lots of people made really gd turkish friends . Farmers truckdrivers . Mainly as thats my background and u tend to chat to them more as u know about the lifestyle . But ive got other turkish friends besides that . Its bn a while since i was last over but my gf and i planning a visit soon if i can get some work done on my back to improve my mobility . As i cant walk far at all now . And would need to be able to walk much better to fully enjoy . The trip . Plus il be buyin lots of cat treats for the cats of istanbul they are lovely most of them love a tummy tickle abd neck rubs chin sctratches etc for a few dreamies . Or temtations or just the local turkish cat treats . Biscuits etc . I allways speak to them . Lol but thats just me i love animals and cats are a particular fave . Ive had dogs come up to me too tho . They know a soft touch lol haha .anyway hope ur both well . And ur van too . Are u guys from northeast of england by anychance i get a hint of the accent now and again either that ur very north yorks into cleveland area . Pls take care chat soon . Look forward to ur next vid . Safe travels .

[@Chris_Carini]

Amazing travel vlog. Thanks for sharing. Turkey looks wonderful.

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you Chris! Turkey has exceeded every expectation we ever had of it - and we've been here 5 months now so feel like we've given it a good road test 😂 Hope you're doing well and staying safe! 🧡

[@Stevebayes66]

You two are bringing so much to us. The places you are visiting are truly amazing! You are both so lucky. Defo want to visit Turkey one day. Unfortunately my wife suffers from arthritis and most probably would not make to some of the places you go to, so thank you for bringing them to us. Loved the video again and can’t wait to see the next one. 👍🚌❤️🌱

[@courtsandmeeks]

Ah Steve, this is such a lovely comment, we're so glad you're enjoying coming along with us! It is such a shame you might not be able to come visit them too! We'll just have to make even more videos so you can see as much of the country as possible! We hope you are both well and safe! Thank you again!🧡

[@valpatch7249]

What an amazing videos, people who are not subscribed to you just don’t know what they are missing. Thanks for completing my tour of Turkey the architecture and scenery was wonderful. Enjoy and drive carefully. Xxxxxxxxx

[@courtsandmeeks]

Aw thanks Val, every week we look forward to your comment. This one put a big fat smile on our faces. Glad you enjoyed Mardin with us! Our tour of Turkey is almost complete now! X

[@sylviapage8572]

That was amazing. I hope someday we get to Turkey in our van! Thanks for sharing.

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you so much Sylvia! It was SO good and we're so happy we finally got to see both of them! We hope you get to go in your van too - we'd 100% recommend it! We'll be coming back in the future because it is just such a fantastic country! Maybe we'll see you there? 🧡

[@Somali1971]

Thank you for sharing with us this gorgeous rural town.

[@Linda-td8hj]

What an amazing statue's at the top of that freezing mountain and the sunset was stunning 🙃thanks for that the park looked cool 🤠the town was very unique and felt like you had gone back in time 🧡 lovely thank you for taking us with you guys xxxxooooxxxx see you on the next one 🧡😎

[@courtsandmeeks]

Hey Linda! Thanks so much for your lovely comment! It was a fantastic couple of days, even if we did freeze a little watching the sunset haha. We love having you along for the ride! Can't wait to share the next one with you! 🧡

[@mikebourke1185]

Fantastic..thanks for sharing ..Safe Travels

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you Mike! Glad you enjoyed it! It was one of our favourites to make! Hope you are well and safe 🧡

[@bryzeer3612]

Turkish subtitles came, oh my god :). It was translating incorrectly because I used automatic translation before. Thank you very much.

[@courtsandmeeks]

That's great news!! Glad they worked properly now 😆

[@adventure_onthedaily9851]

I made a joke on your insta about the statue looking like an annoyed garden gnome and now I feel like such a philistine 😅 this place is epic!!

[@courtsandmeeks]

Haha 😆 it does look like a giant garden gnome though, you're not wrong!!

[@Paulsvanlife]

Thanks for sharing your journey, looks awesome

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thanks for watching Paul! Hope you're doing well mate?

[@bowzadventures2751]

I’ve been looking forward to this one and not been disappointed! 🥰 What a walk down memory lane😃 Unfortunately the deep snow prevented our visit to Nemrut Dagi, so pleased you guys managed it. Mardin is a special place, and all that you describe so well. Thank you 🙏

[@courtsandmeeks]

Ah guys thank you! Do you guys miss Turkey as much as us?? We only left 2 days ago 😂 hope you're all good!

[@susanrudge5817]

Magical video and excellent backing music - keep having fun.

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you Susan! We're really happy you enjoyed it! We loved making the video! We hope you are having a good start to the week? 🧡

[@carlshirley]

Amazing views and scenery guys, love it. Those heads are out of this world and the all the architectural stuff is great. Thank you so much for sharing. 😘

[@courtsandmeeks]

Wasn't it incredible Carl! We loved making this video so much so glad you enjoyed it! Would love to know what more you want to see from us in these vlogs... Do you want to see more of us and lives/feelings talking to camera in the van or mainly just the destinations we visit and beautiful B roll? And how long is preferred for video length?

[@carlshirley]

@@courtsandmeeks Personally I like your conversational reactions to the places you find as it happens. We get to see the attraction as you do, surprised or disappointed! Maybe recapping back in the van/beach/park up. I doing your tour vicariously through your vlog. I don’t think I will get that far now, although it was on my original plan before Brexit/medic issues. I think 3 months will be my limit. Maybe a Scandi tour next for me. Keep the vids coming, they’re great!

[@carlshirley]

@@courtsandmeeks Video length, 20-25 mins depending on frequency. 🥰

[@courtsandmeeks]

@@carlshirley thanks for the feedback Carl, just want to make sure we're delivering what you (and other subscribers) want to see! It's easy for us to get wrapped up in showing the places we visit and not enough of our personalities or our day to day stuff so it's good to know that both is welcomed! 👍 A scandi trip sounds amazing! It's definitely on our list too.

[@aliciathom9633]

Beautiful video. Living in Southwest Turkey we have visited Mt Nemrut and lovely Mardin before, but too briefly. Longing to go back soon in our newly converted van!

[@courtsandmeeks]

Ah wow Alicia! Sounds like you're living the dream! We love Turkey and the Southwest is so beautiful! I bet you can't wait to get out on the road in your van! When will it be ready? We're so excited for you! Take care 🧡

[@aliciathom9633]

@@courtsandmeeks It’s ready now! we just did four glorious days on Datça peninsula, watching out for donkeys! Our first big trip is to Italy at the end of this month to meet up with extended family, and later a slow wending our way home…..❤️

[@stalan7404]

best episode so far

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you!! We think it's our best video yet in terms of production and cinematic shots! Glad you think so too 🧡 means a lot!

[@stalan7404]

@@courtsandmeeks yes, i agree

[@derekwarner6898]

Spectacular!!!! Absolutely killer scenery, so glad you eventually made it so we could see it with you!

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you so much Derek! This was a very pretty video we have to admit! We love having you along for the ride, it means so much to hear you enjoy them! Hope you are doing well and are getting some good weather wherever you are! 🧡

[@Road.to.recovery]

Safe travels guys another amazing video 🙏

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you!! We're very happy you liked it, it was one of our favourites to film! Hope you're doing well 🧡

[@Road.to.recovery]

@@courtsandmeeks it looked beautiful we are so envious. We are planning our first bif trip in the van in a few weeks so we are super excited for that. Just wish we had started this years ago 😀🙏

[@courtsandmeeks]

@@Road.to.recovery That is amazing! Where are you planning on going? Ah I know what you mean! We wish we'd started 5 years ago but we always say the best time to start is now. We just feel fortunate that we're able to live this life and I'm sure once you're on the road you'll feel the same! 🧡

[@Road.to.recovery]

We are hoping to start at Wales and work our way around the UK countryside then if all goes well by next year we aim to start a Europe trip. And that's thanks to guys like yous as you inspired us to take that step. Watching yous live such a fantastic beautiful life thankyou 😊

[@JJSof8]

Absolutely loved this vlog. I always do! Take care, lovelies and have FUN!!!!!

[@courtsandmeeks]

We loved making this video so much so glad you enjoyed it! Would love to know what more you want to see from us in these vlogs... Do you want to see more of us and lives/feelings talking to camera in the van or mainly just the destinations we visit and beautiful B roll? And how long is preferred for video length?

[@JJSof8]

@@courtsandmeeks everyone's different. Me personally love, watching you in the van chatting to the camera, talking about your everyday lives, your food, love seeing the different foods you eat and in the restaurants, the prices, if you go to the supermarkets showing different items and the prices. Your videos are fun, you've great personalities so anything you do is awesome. Driving from one place to another showing different places as your driving and chatting away, is all good. The length of the videos? For me, the longer the better but I know how much work that involves. Love everything you do!

[@courtsandmeeks]

@@JJSof8 thanks so much for the feedback Julie! We will definitely try and share more of "us" - sometimes I think we get wrapped up in sharing the locations we visit and not enough of our personalities

[@JJSof8]

@@courtsandmeeks love watching your locations but we all love you!!!

[@suzybearsisson994]

Great video guys 😊

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you so much! We hope you are well and having a good start to the week! 🧡

[@denisecafferky2248]

Some stunning places there. Glad ye finally made it there 🙌

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thanks Denise! It was a very pretty couple of days! It feels so good to finally have been here and tick it off the list! Hope you are well and safe 🧡

[@TheJeanGenius]

That was really magical. 🧡 I love your visits to old ruins and monuments, showing the real life events of the inhabitants! Safe journeys and already looking forward to seeing your next vlog! 😀

[@courtsandmeeks]

Aww thanks Jeanie! We hoped it would come across on camera how special these places are! 🧡 Hope you and the whole family are well?

[@TheJeanGenius]

@@courtsandmeeks We're fine thanks x

[@ianbasson8367]

Wow what some fantastic views. Glad you got to where you you originally planned considering all the problems you have had. You both look very happy to be there.

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you Ian! We're so happy to have been able to visit the East of Turkey and see these truly unique places! Turkey has really delivered on everything - it is beautiful and the people are amazingly kind! We're very happy and also very happy that we can share it with you guys! Hope you're well! 🧡

[@jenniferhardman9879]

Another fab vlog guys 👌🏻

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thanks Jen! Glad you enjoyed it! 🧡🧡

[@johnallen148]

Hi Courts Meeks,what a beautiful place you have taken me today is so beautiful to see a old town still looking the same as it did years ago how do you know wear to go like up them steps to the roof top its amazing how you two do it ,I guess this is one of the most interesting places you have been,we’ll enjoy your coffee ☕️ take care keep yourself safe and drive careful,lots of love ❤️,John 🤷‍♀️🤷🏼💕😂🌹❤️❤️👀☕️☕️🥂🌨🌨🤩🥹😻🙏🙏

[@courtsandmeeks]

Hey John, so glad you could come along with us to explore Mardin. It certainly was a special place! Hope you're well? 🧡

[@Korpitalo]

This one was so good video. Congratz! And the choice of music was perfect. Well done! We say hi from 🇫🇮 Mirja

[@courtsandmeeks]

Ah thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it! Was a lot more 'to camera' than what we normally do as people asked to see more of us so glad it was worth it

[@murattahan2391]

👍👍👍

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM O. M. G.... that was truly magical mystery tour stuff!!! I confess I didn't know about that mountain and statues; always love learning something new. So glad you got to one of you bucket list places and that it proved to be worth everything leading up to it! YAM xx

[@courtsandmeeks]

Hey YAM! Yaaaay, we're so happy you enjoyed it as much as we did! Yeah Mount Nemrut was something out of this world! We didn't provide too much explainer in the video because it was SO windy at the top of the mountain but we felt it added a little more mystery to it all 😃 Yeah Turkey is delivering on our expectations and more! We're so happy that things happened how they did now as we've had such a richer experience for it all! Hope you're doing well and staying safe 🧡🧡

[@trevorpat-lifeontherun]

Words fail me.

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thanks guys! We're going to take that as a compliment 🤣 Hope you're well and having a good time!🧡

[@worstchannelever5232]

Great show to see central Turkey off tourist trail slightly ,love the building s can feel the history. Maybe you could do a foody vlog what's nice traditional food there prices flavor discrimination ?

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you Worst Channel ever (sorry, I don't know your name and this sounds like an insult 😂) Yeah it felt like we were in a living museum! Yeah we would love to do more food on the channel but we're vegetarian and Turkey menus are basically 97% meat 🤣 so it would be pretty much the same food each time! Hope you're doing well and staying safe? 🧡

[@worstchannelever5232]

Hi I'm veggie also so maybe not best I love seeing unique street food India street food comes to mind thanks for great vlogs 🙏 Brian

[@margaretbutterworth8162]

Really enjoying watching your videos I’m a tiny bit jealous, but actually I’m on the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, where it’s actually just as “authentic” seeing life in the small villages.

[@courtsandmeeks]

Ooo sounds lovely Margaret! We love that area of Spain. Hope the weather is lush for you!

[@heshamsmart3193]

I live in Mardin about 4 years and I have farm there . I hope you can visiting me

[@courtsandmeeks]

Thank you for inviting us. Sadly we are not in the area anymore as this video was recorded a couple of weeks ago.

[@theluckysentinel]

You didn't try the wine!!?

[@courtsandmeeks]

It was too early in the morning for wine 🍷 but we would have loved to if we were there at an appropriate time for it!

[@karlmabe1649]

Great place room price didn't look to bad for Turkish rustic splender

[@courtsandmeeks]

Yeah we thought the cost wasn't that bad! Although if you went for the HUGE suit then I think the price went up to like $600 a night!! So only for the super rich!! Hope you're well and safe! 🧡

[@HeidiPriest]

Just keep wiggling g that bum, hahah great vlog

[@courtsandmeeks]

Hahaha! Wiggle wiggle wiggle! Meeks thought he was proper cool doing that! Hope you guys are all well and safe! 🧡

[@agnesvermaas9531]

We are making a trip around Turkey too and you’re vlog are very inspiring! We are now in Giazantep and will visit Nardin in a few days. Can you give me the spot where you stayed with the van in Mardin? I cant find one on Google or p 4 n. It would help us a lot…Thanx !

[@courtsandmeeks]

Hey Agnes! I'm so jealous, we just left Turkey for Bulgaria yesterday and would love to be back in Mardin right now (not that Bulgaria isn't nice because it is beautiful!) The spot we parked was over the road from the wedding venue p4n spot (titled 267, yeni yol) at the south of Mardin old town. When you get to that one you can see the otopark sign over the road (the wedding venue don't let you stay anymore). It was decent! Just loud when the call to prayer goes off right next to you 😂

[@magnefauli]

When in the year was this filmed?

[@courtsandmeeks]

This was just a couple of weeks ago Magne

[@FreeBirdUKVanLife]

Wow. Stunning. Never heard of it before, some interesting statues there. X

[@courtsandmeeks]

They were so cool weren't they!? So happy we managed to stop off

[@adventure_onthedaily9851]

Wow it really looks middle eastern from up high. What a stunning place! Thanks for the tour guys x

[@joannawood2441]

Can I ask what you do for WIFI while travelling?

[@courtsandmeeks]

Hi Joanna, we have a 4g booster on the roof of the van with a mifi box that we typically put local sim cards in (because of Brexit we have to pay to use our phones abroad now so tourist sims are the best option usually)

[@joannawood2441]

@@courtsandmeeks Thanks, ive been looking around and it does seem that local sims seem to be the only way to get a decent amount of data. Roughly what prices have you been paying? I know youve been in Turkey a while; is it cheaper there?

[@courtsandmeeks]

@@joannawood2441 Yes we think so. There are some eu and international mifi box subscriptions out there like rent'n'connect and a few others but we haven't done much research into them tbh. We know a lot of them tether your speeds so needs more investigation. We pay £7 per 30GB here in Turkey which is really cheap. I think in other countries it's quite a bit more expensive and you can't always get big packages (which is what we need for work) so we will have to see what it's like in other countries on our way home.