Police stop cars at a checkpoint in Turkey - as visitors from around the world descend on the town of Sirince in Western Turkey.

It's believed to be one of the few places on earth that will be saved from the end of the world predicted by the Mayan calendar.

Madlen Habeeb traveled here from Australia.

SOUNDBITE: Madlen Habeeb, Tourist

"There could be chaos in the rest of the world. So I think it is a good idea that we stay here. Somewhere that we know that will be safe and there is plenty of police to protect us and I think this is a good choice of places to be and there is lots of fruit wine to drink as well."

Hundreds of police have been deployed to increase security - and medics set up a temporary field station - to handle not doomsday and followers of the Mayan calendar - but spectators like Stewart Beal.

SOUNDBITE: Stewart Beal, Tourist

"Well, we came because it is the end of the world tomorrow and we thought we better pop in here because apparently, this place will be saved."

Thousands were expected to arrive in Sirince on Friday - the day that marks the end of the Mayan calendar.