türkçe links to original Turkish article
(DHA News Agency, 27 August 2026)
Wanting to get away from the hectic pace of city life, the couple Yusuf
Şahin and Tuğçe Kadak (both 28) have been traveling around Turkey
for 28 months on a single motorcycle with their two dogs. The couple,
who started their travel life part-time in 2018, turned it into a full-time
life, shuttered their house and loaded their whole lives onto their
motorcycle and hit the road.
Yusuf Şahin, who is also interested in mountaineering and camping,
met Tuğçe Kadak at a camping trip, married her, and they then set off
on their journey together. The couple, who finance their travels
independently, work seasonal jobs when their money runs low in the
regions they visit. Finding daily wage jobs through agricultural
chambers in the cities they visit, the couple works harvesting products
such as apples, pomegranates, pears, and hazelnuts, thus covering their
fuel and food expenses. Having been on the road for 28 months, the
couple has visited 67 provinces so far.
The couple's daily life is also quite unconventional. They wash their
clothes using traditional methods in streams and water sources they find,
and they also shower and meet their other needs in nature. Initially
setting out with only one dog, the couple adopted another dog so that it
wouldn't be alone. The dogs, which they named Mançiz and Daniel,
accompany the couple on their journeys across different regions of Turkey
Sharing their journeys on social media with the hashtag '#ikitekerkesif#',
the couple says that waking up to a different view every morning is their
greatest joy. Yusuf Şahin and Tuğçe Kadak state that they have no
sponsorships and that they sustain their journeys with the income they
earn from daily jobs in the places they visit and the support of the people
they meet.
The couple, who also participated in the 'Ergan Motofest' held in
Erzincan, shared information about their journey. Yusuf Şahin
explained that he started being a part-time traveler after 2018 and
met Tuğçe at a camping trip, adding that returning to city life after
camping became difficult for them. Şahin said, "I've been a part-time
traveler since 2018. Tuğçe and I became full-time travelers. We've
been living this life full-time for 28 months. We closed up our house
and are traveling around Turkey with our two dogs."
Yusuf Şahin stated that they had 14,000 TL (about $290) with them when
they set off, and that they paid 6,000 TL for transportation. He explained
that they initially traveled to 67 provinces with their 120 CC motorcycle,
which they named 'Keçi' (Goat). Şahin said they retired Keçi after parking
it in a garage in Ankara, and that they are now continuing their journey
with a motorcycle they named 'Keçipromex', which was gifted to them by
someone whose name they don't know. (!)
Şahin explained that the motorcycle is registered in Tuğçe Kadak's name,
and added, "Wherever we run out of money, we work. We do daily wage
jobs. We cover our fuel and food needs and continue on our way. A
monthly income of around 14-15,000TL is enough for us. Our journeys
have been very enjoyable. We got to know our people, our culture, and
our geography. We are currently in our 67th province."
Tuğçe hanım stated that despite the challenges of their chosen lifestyle,
it makes them happy. Kadak said, "Everyone's freedom or perspective on
life is very different. Our freedom begins where our comfort zone ends.
If we reduce our comfort zone a little, we can be more free. I compromise
on comfort. I've been sleeping on a mat for 28 months, but I wake up
happy every morning."
Kadak stated that traveling with two dogs sometimes presents challenges,
saying: "Our only job is setting up our tent; we have no other work.
Every morning we wake up wondering, 'Where will we go today?
Where will we set up our tent?' We have difficulties with two dogs.
We can't enter museums; we take turns. I'm responsible for all their care.
We also wash our clothes the old-fashioned way, scrubbing them
wherever we find a stream."
