Some incredible shots!

I'd probably leave the bathroom out of the calendar, though, if it were me.

your personal amusement to add flavor.
Amazing trip she took. I would not be able to do it. And I'm pretty tough.

I've ever seen! The use of wood is a rather unique touch--the ones I've patronized usually had concrete or tiled floors!

I was especially amused by the wooden "foot pads." Hey, ya gotta line everything up if you want those things to work!!!

Your sister has a great eye--love her photos!

Extraordinary!

I have seen it before in some travel site but cannot remember where.

Bravo for your sister.
and thanks for sharing!

I took photos of similar blue and white tile work/patterns - in/on several of the buildings there, i.e., the Imperial Harem and the Circumcision Room (ouch!) - not a mosque - and the map indicates their travels took them to Istanbul. In any case, what glorious, fantastic photos!

Not sure I'd want to be that close quarters with folks for that long. I did it in the military, but I wasn't as set in my ways back then.

Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing them.

I saw one of those German sleeper tour buses a few years ago in Arizona? but the beds were below the seating. Some of their tour companies have a weird sense of humor.

On the red one you can tell that the back can open up, and that's where the driver cooks on large hot plates.
Beyond my imagination - all of it!

with a tour group that stayed in hotels I don't think I could have done it in a bus. The toilets alone were a challenge let alone that pit one in the photo. At least they could have had ceramic foot pads.

She definitely wanted to do an adventurous trip.

Met a Brit couple in Iran that was doing an independent tour with their camper. They had been traveling for three months already and planned on another three. Don't think I am cut out for that kind of travel.

that you got to do that. The photos must look familiar then to your own experiences there. She took the trip the only way she could afford to do it, and though telling me it was tough, especially the nights in the coffin like hold with a little window at her head and squirrreling out feet first, she did not complain.
Oh yes. I forget, she mentioned having to go to the bathroom at night, in the dark, and finding her sleeping place hole again was really tough.

that I could have done the trip the way your sister did. I have claustrophobia issues and the thought of sleeping in a coffin-like space totally creeps me out.

The eastern toilets are really a trip. Ran across one at the Tajikistan border that was a pit toilet in a building with no air and no water for cleaning the area. First time that I almost threw up in a toilet. Have some other toilet stories that are hysterical. It's amazing how much trouble you can get into with them.

But you don't have to go through the 'ands/stans' to find hole in the floor toilets.
I encountered one in a train station in Italy on our way to Lake Como. At least
it did have tile surrounding it, but it was just a hole in the floor. It was not
a good day to be wearing pants.

It's not uncommon for people who don't want to mess up their clothing, be they trousers, thobe, abaya, what-have-you, to selectively disrobe to keep those items safe from any, er, splashback or aim errors!

It does make the line longer, if there is one...!

the hooks are not always there. Winding all your clothes around your middle and strapping your handbag around your neck is the only way to go.

I've never lost a wallet down the pan, but I know of those who have!

I've pretty much had good luck with hooks even in rudimentary facilities (pro tip--use a strong, well-sewn belt loop, don't assume the small hook will hold the pants otherwise)--of course, one could always drape the trousers over the water spigot handle if the facility has "the hose" to keep the undercarriage tidy! And there's always the doorknob/door handle!

and then hold all the fabric together and pull the crotch part forward out of the splash zone. Then one can loop one's handbag over one's neck and nestle it in that little hammock of clothing.

Have been in many places where the doorknob looks uglier than the floor.

Oh, the joys of the eastern toilet.

done well to have you on their team!!!!

What we women have to go through...

while squatting, you have to wipe and then throw out the paper. The problem arises if you are right handed and the bucket for the paper is on the left behind your shoulder. Then consider if the porcelain footpads are slippery and your quads are giving out.

Ah, the memories.

vinegar in the place of toilet paper.

In the story of the crucifixion Jesus was offered a sponge soaked in brine. I guess being thirsty is preferable.

I'm not sure I'd be able to do that. The images are striking. Not bad with a P&S!

And what a great gift you're making for her; my sister has done that for us in the past; priceless!

Thanks for sharing. I think I'm fairly adventurous, but would have to think about roughing it this way. I suppose if fellow travelers were fun, interesting and not prone to complaining, that would make it so much better.

since I have the rest of the photos - which includes portraits of the fellow travelers - they do in general look like folks who would be fascinating to get to know, but not lie next to at night like a fellow sardine.
The calendar will be a complete surprise. I have made them for her for years, but always with MY photos.
LOL

It's tight quarters, but you are separated by walls! I wouldn't want someone rolling over on me in the middle of the night, either!



More pictures here: http://www.uniqhotels.com/rotel-german-bus-hotel

the vehicle I showed you a picture of is VERY different for the overnights, as was described to me by the one who went in it.

Imagine a long box with a foot on your right, and a foot on your left, unless you are overweight. You crawl in it, and at the end is a little peephole air window. At your feet is the square door you kick open and through which you have to wriggle out backwards.
Imagine that in the night if you have to pee, and to your right and left are boxes like yours with people in them.

Wonderful adventure, and the dogs of the cliff is breathtaking!

Do you have any information on how to get on one of those and how much it cost?

I'm living in Norway, so getting to where the tour goes from wouldn't be much of an issue...

Will call her over the weekend, and without disclosing why, will ask her. I admire you in advance.

it ALMOST makes me want to do it.
WOW - but yes, it's pretty expensive. Except it's the travel/hotel/food. Plus places you'd never get to go, like you said. My adopted sister says the driver was incredibly versed in geography and history and well able to answer questions.

And that little "boxy" thing on top of the bus? It holds pretty much every spare part the driver would need to fix the vehicle!

They do go "off the beaten path" and that is a good bit of their appeal, I think, along with the whole "better than camping but not quite glamping" atmosphere. If you went with a crew of a few good friends I think anyone would have a fine time and make some new friends as well!

Cool ad here, with the big "rotel" towed behind the bus:

how long can I go without taking a crap? I think it would be an incredible experience to see so many places in this world, but I know that I just don't have it in me.

The photos are fantastic. I especially love the one of the boy on the horse....both boy and horse look so danged proud.

But supposedly they also make frequent "accomodation" stops. http://www.coolthings.com/rotel-tours-hotel-bus/

not wild about sitting for long periods of time on a bus or car.... But it tells me a lot about your sister, Mira, she must be an amazing person... Again, LOVE these photos

but looks like a great trip. Love the photos and glad she and you shared them.

is a picture of pride.

all of them are great photos. I can't say how much I'd like to do that.

I really liked them all but the dogs on the top of the crumbling bluff is my favorite, followed by the young person on a horse and that mosaic.

Exciting! But Mira, I'm with you - I'm pretty tough too but that would be over the top for me! Beautiful photos!