The alarm sounds at 7am and we spring in to action. Its not long and the coach arrives to take us  to…we have no idea! We just know we are joining the motorhome club for a couple of hours whilst the Tourism Board interview us and take some film footage for their new promotional video.  The twenty minute journey to Van centre takes twice as long, as the coach picks up more people along the way. By the time we reach Van the small coach party has turned in to a Tourist Group. Hakan speaks very food English and he reliably tells us “I have no idea what is going on”. 

Our first stop, a small back street in the middle of Van. It is crowded beyond belief but it is the place to be for breakfast. Our party is guided to the upper terrace were we are served with endless plates of cheese, walnuts, hot bread, honey, peanut paste, cream, french fries and the highlight… yumurtalı kavurma (eggs and lamb served in a small wok). All washed down with free flowing tea and salted milk. The atmosphere was buzzing, what a start to the day. 

As we make our way down the stairs and outside we notice a proud ‘wall of fame’. Pictures of famous people who have attended the cafe and now, they want our picture on the wall. Fame at last! We gather outside for a photoshoot.  One photo turns in to a group photo which turns in to a bigger group photo and before we know it half of Van have lined the streets. Its all in good fun and the Tourist Board and press are lapping it up. 

Back on the tour bus and the President tells us in 2011,Van experienced a  7.1 earthquake that killed hundreds and rendered thousands homeless. However, investment in the area and continual development means Van is now a thriving modern city with a bright outlook. As we drive along the street is it clear the new modern centre has attracted a wealthy group of residents. In addition, young and energetic students bring a nice vibe to the city. A contrast to our next stop,  Old Van.  Completely destroyed in 1915, it only has four remaining mosques and fragments of an Armenian church. As we look towards the castle, a sea of shelled landscape. Once a thriving town of eighty thousand and now and an overgrown, rubble strewn piece of land. 

Old Town

After more filming and more photo’s we move on to the silver factory. Set up by the President of Turkey to help create jobs for the area.  Plus it adds another element for the growing tourist industry. What we didn’t realise is the factory is also a breeding centre for the famous and rare Van cat. What a treat. The large cage but relatively open enclosure housed 30+ fluffy white cats. All naturally endowed with one blue and one gold eye and deaf as a post.  A nice side attraction before we moved on for a tour of the silver factory. 

By lunch time, we were climbing Van Kalesi. A beautiful castle that dominates the landscape and stunning located just a few kilometres from the lake.  Entrance is 5TL (70p) and well worth the walk for the views. At the peak, it overlooks the poignant remains of the old city destroyed during World War I.  Back at the base, we visit an old Van house, built of mud brick and the tea gardens. Turkish can never have too much tea.  

Now time for home or so we thought. But, no we were only half way through the tour. Still several more hours of action packed non stop Turkish hospitality and site seeing.

First a boat trip on Van Lake followed by a tour of the tiny island of Akdamar. Located on Lake Van’s southern shore, it is home to the tenth century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross. With interesting detail on the outside, colourful painting inside and all set aptly with perfect timing from a bride & groom. Then a quick swim in the healing alkaline waters of the lake before our final stop of the day, dinner at a local restaurant. 

The Island Church & close up detail, below

After ten hours of site seeing, filming and photo’s we were well and truly shattered. Back at the campsite, we hoped things would quieten down but nah. The celebrations continued along with a special appearance from the local honey man, who brought tons of wonderful honey combs. As an English thank you to everyone, we made banana pancakes for a wee midnight snack. Flour, eggs, milk and bananas were the only ingredients we had in reasonable quantity. Oh, and tea of course. Our midnight snack went down a treat.