Turkey 2010

Sept 20, Istanbul, Turkey

Got to hotel at about 11 am  Long night, and hit Istanbul just in time for morning traffic.  Took for ever to get through the city.  Turns out there are only 2 brigdes that join the European and the Asian sides of the city, so lots of traffic and slow going.

Walked throught  the Grand Bazaar.  Really 4000 shops selling everything you can imagine!  Then on to the Roman Aquaduct.  Disappointed as not able to walk along the top!  Tough one as many of the other sites you could crawl all over the various sites.  Stopped for Turkish coffee at small vendor under on of the arches of Aquaduct.  Very good. And had to have picture taken.

Went out for something to eat and then some walking.  Went to an exhibition called '1001 Inventions' staring Ben Kingsley.  Showed the many inventions by Turks that influenuce the world today.  Very well done as has won several film festival Gold awards.

Wandered around a bit and then got hit up by a guy in front of carpet place.  He asked for 10 minutes so he could practice his English, and no sooner had I sat down that he was gone and a  salesman joined in.  30 minutes later, I left, having not bought anything!  Told salesman that up front but he tried very hard!

Sept 19, day in Goreme then on bus over night to Istanbul, Turkey

Another slow start to the day.  Legs a bit tired from the hike and then the walking up and down stairs yesterday in the underground city.  Had to bend over as the the ceilings were very low in places.

I rented mountain bike for the day.  Got part way out of city and realized legs were extremely tired!  But did make it to Fairy Chimneys.  This are layers of lava of different colours and density.  The top is the hardest and does not erode as fast as the softer, sandston like rock below it!  Amazing to see them. 

But was so tired and legs so sore that headed back after being out for only about 2 hours.  Then just relaxed at pension as had to catch a bus at 8 pm to Istanbul.

The wait for bus in the small village was very interesting.  Many people there to send off family I guess, but also sent huge bags of potatoes and onions back with them.  The huge storage area was full with this and the baggage.  Amazed that they got it all in!  The pick up spot was the street so people were wandering around the street.  Good thing not alot of traffic!

The local school kids had fun, 'talking' to some of the tourists.  The usual questions!  And of course the need to have their picture taken.

Sept 18, Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey

Took a tour of the area.  Stopped first at the panorama of  Goreme.  The area is really something.  The land around is virtually flat and it just drops into these valleys that have some amazing rock formations (yes more rocks!)  Much of it looks like sandstone but is a lot of balsa (?) around as well as many of the new houses are building with balsa bricks. 

Next stop an Underground city, one of about 200, which were started in about 3 century BC.  These were built originally as a safe place to hide from attachers and later used for shelter and storage.  They are a maze of underground rooms, kitchens, wineries, monasteries, schools, and barns.  They also have get away tunnels, one of them being 9 km long.  The tunnels are low and narrow so was a challenge bending over and walking up and down the stairs.

Took a walk along 3 km of Ilhara valley.  Very nice with very high cliffs and a small stream running through the center.  A couple of churches along the way.

The Semila Monastery built into the rocks.  Several chapels with tunnels joining.  These were used and built to hide out from the pageans.

Sept 17, Goreme, Cappadocia,, Turkey

Left at 9.30 pm and arrived in Goreme at 7.30 am!  And it was cold!  Turns out this is in a desert and cool at night.

Got checked into a pension.  As heading to room, ran into one of the people I met in Kas!  Great to see her again.  Drank lots of coffee and had some breakfast.  Then on hike.

Went to the Goreme Open Air museum.  This area is sandstone with houses, and churches carved out of the stone!  Amazing sights.  There are holes in many of the the spires (not sure what to call them).  The museum is mostly various chapels and churches.  These are very detailed and completely carved into the stone.

Then headed off on a hike through a couple of the valleys, Rose Valley and Red Valley, both named after the colour of the stone.  Beautiful.  Met a retired guy from Toronto so we ended up doing the rest of the walk together.  Lots of up and down and climbing into some of the holes.  Saw a couple more churches.  One of them even had columns, and an atler and chapels off to the side.  All carved out of the stone!

5 hours later, got back tot he pension.    A great place, very friendly.  Rock Valley Pension, which was recommended by a couple met in Kas!

Sept 16, Antalya, Turkey

Another lazy day.  Not doing much as have an over night bus to catch.  

Went out to Konyalta beach by tram.  Took about 30 minutes.  This is a huge stretch of pebble beach with a few very fancy beach club type bars/restaurants.  Great place but hardly anyone around.  Water was very clear and nice and warm.  Gets deep fast but still nice.

Saw a Hobie 16 today!  Check and it would cost too much for 1 person, so past on it.  They would not even consider reducing price!  Watched and it never got used for the 2 hours I was there.

Had a nice lunch on way back to town.

Then went to a Hamam (Turkish sauna).  Interesting experience.  The one guy was very rude when he realized I had no idea what to do.

For 25 lire ($18) I got a sauna, then a scrub down with something that felt like sandpaper on the skin, and they called it a 'peel'!

Then soaped down and then buckets of water thrown at me to rinse!  All I can say is 'interesting'.

Talked to an 18 year guy that sells shoes while I was waiting for the bus.  He spoke very little English.  He had the usual conversation questions - Where are you from?  What is your name?  How old are you?  Turns out he quit school and was a bit shocked when I told him I was a teacher!  So instantly started the English lessons.  That mixed in with a teasing session with another guy about which was the best city, Antalya or Izmir.  The guy was from Izmir.

Funny as the guy on the bus asked exactly the same questions.