Wandering in Istanbul

As the weather was lovely we decided to walk back to the city – which made for a lovely adventure – we walked through a sculpture exhibition, I finally got to buy a bread ring from a street seller – it was delicious, be paused for some tea and a game of tavla, and a snooze at a tea house along the way.


We also stopped by the fish markets where the fish is so fresh it’s swimming, and it was here that Lorin and I got some lunch from one of the many food stalls we passed – pialf – rice with chick peas it was delicious.




From the fish markets we walked over the bridge – well sort of underneath it actually – passed lots of bars and cafes and then across the top past all the fishermen. Once we reached the other side we wandered around the stalls that were on the outside of the Spice Market – there were stalls selling, spices, nuts, clothes house hold items – pretty much you name it you could buy it here and finally we succeeded in our mission to buy spoons to go with our teasets!!!! The stall holder had very little English and we had next to no Turkish so it was one of our more unsuccessful bargining sessions but at a mere 4 lira we didn’t feel much need to kibble.

Feeling rather foot weary we headed back to the hotel and farewelled Frostie who is leaving late on Monday.

Lorin and I headed upstairs to our rooms and got our bags packed – with a bit of squishing and rearranging we managed to fit everything. Just!

Once we had finished packing it was still early so we decided to take one last wander down by the harbour. It was very different to the first night – which was due to a number of things – Ramadan was over, it was Republic day and we were there much earlier than Phillipa and I had gone out on our first night.

There were far more people around, and not just men – there were women as well – and lots more stalls selling, shoes, bags, toys belts clothes etc – there were also more of the delicious smelling portable food stands – I looked at having a fish kebab – they smelt divine but the fish were put in whole and my fear of bones wouldn’t let me have one. I did however get a sweet donut like thing from another stall – it’s not actually anything like a donut – it was a larger round version of the light and crunchy syrup soaked dumplings we had enjoyed.

Photos @ kodak

New Palace

Today was a busy and relaxing day – Lorin and I met Frostie in the hotel Foyer at 10am and from there we headed to the New Palace – between the 3 of us we had a rough idea of where we were going and managed to get ourselves on a train and to the New Palace with out any major dramas. The walk from the train station to the palace was quite nice – a few stalls on the way and lots of people heading to a soccer match.

The new palace is one of the most expensive places to go see – and as a result we didn’t go through the actual palace it’s self. But we did go to the Crystal pavilion, walked around the gardens, saw the clock collection and snuck into a ballroom in the Palace, saw guards marching and got our photo taken with a guard.

Photos @ Kodak

Trip to the Spice Market

Back at the hotel – Lorin and I got dumped our shopping, made plans to meet Frostie the next morning, I checked to see if my phone had arrived and we headed out to the Spice Market for a last couple of items.

This was the most fun part of our shopping day! The markets were not as busy as they had been in the afternoon and we were more relaxed than we had been in the morning. We found the sweets shop where we had been offered a special price – and he remembered us!! And we got the full treatment – he gave us tea and chatted with us, then we sampled various types of Turkish delight before deciding on our purchases which he then vacuum sealed for us.

While we were chatting the topic of backgammon came up – and he invited me to join him for a game later on – and while he seemed perfectly nice I declined – but it was very flattering and Lorin loved telling Canar and Cassie later on about me getting hit on my the Turkish delight seller.

After we had bought our Turkish delight we wandered about the Spice Market a bit more – after a full day of dealing with shopkeepers we were much more at ease with them and chatted back to them when they talked to us – and even though we assured them that we had already bought all the Turkish delight we wanted/needed they would insist that we try this or that type – all of which were very delicious.

On our way back to the hotel we stopped off at the lovely baklava shop where we bought some for a snack and I checked that they would be open the next day for me to buy some to take home we also stopped to buy a Turkish news paper to use as packing around our tea sets – we picked the fattest one and took placed it on the counter – as we paid for it the shop keeper asked if we read Turkish to which we responded no – the look on his face was classic

After dropping off the last lot of shopping in my room I headed out for some dinner the others had had a kebab on the way back from the Grand Bazar. Down stairs I ran into Canar and after chatting for a bit – he joined me for dinner – it was very interesting talking him with out his tour guide hat on a very ambitious young gentleman.

After dinner we could hear the fireworks – it was the start of the celebrations for republic day – and Canar asked me if I would like to see them as he knew a good view point near by – Of course was my response – the viewing point turned out to be a bar upstairs in the hotel – the view was amazing – wish I had had my camera with me – we could see the bridge and the new palace and topai palace and all all the fireworks in between.

A Day of Shopping in Istanbul

Today was the last day of the tour and breakfast saw the first of the farewells – to Joelene, Joel & Kristy – Phillipa had already gone – having an early morning flight.

Shopping with boys
After breakfast Lorin & I headed to the Grand Bazar with James & Chris. It was all a bit whirl wind as the boys had to be back at the hotel by mid day to get to the airport – so Lorin and I mostly just tagged along where they wanted to go. J&C are master hagglers – and made several great deals. I didn’t buy anything in the morning – Lorin bought a leather poof thing with the boys – they bought like 20 of them and got them for about ½ the original price.



After a speedy tour of the markets it was time to head back to the Hotel via jewellwery shop we had passed on the way – which after an abortive attempt to back track – James wanted to turn left which was back toward the Bazar – and Chris wanted to go straight ahead which was the opposite direction to where we needed to go master barginers they may be but with no sense of direction what so ever – we managed with ease.

James & Chris’s master bargining came into effect again at the jewellery shop – this was my favourite shop of the morning – as got to help spend other peoples money ;) the boys bargained for 20 pairs of earrings for 30 lira – this was ½ the price of one pair. It was fun helping Chris pick out 20 pairs of earrings. I bought 4 pairs of earrings – 2 for myself and 2 for gifts – I got them for the same price as the others got theirs – it pays to go shopping with big spenders

As well as earring the shop sold plates, drums, rings and bracelets. The Jewllery was all make there – they had the sheets of pressed copper – both plain and coloured – with the shapes marked on them which they engraved with the designs then cut out, curved and applied fixings to.

Back at the hotel we caught up with the rest of the group & Canar for the final time :( although it wasn’t quite good bye to everyone yet – Lorin, Frostie and myself were all staying until Monday – Cassie was staying until Sunday

Got some good news about my phone – it was on it’s way and for just 30 Lira I would have it that evening Canar’s friend would drop it off at the hotel for me YEAH – what a relief!!


Shopping with Lorin & Others
The afternoon was more shopping this time with Janet and Robert, Frostie, Cassie & Lorin – this time Lorin and I did so some buying – we had made lists and were on a mission as the markets weren’t going to be open on the Sunday.

We started off at the spice markets, where you are confronted with an amazing assortment of sights and smells – although we looked we didn’t buy at this time – but made a note of a couple of stalls to come back too.

Once through the spice market we made headed toward the grand bazaar – this tooking us through local shopping area – we didn’t see many tourists here. But we did see a number of the items we wanted to purchase so serious browsing was taking place. It was surprising how easy it was to keep our largish group together in the crowds.

Prices aways from the tourist areas were cheaper – so we had our eyes peeled for things on our lists – the first purchase I made was several evil eye protectors – which was followed up by the first bargining of the day for 2 tea sets – one for Lorin and one for me – and once the price was negotiated we had to find just the right ones – which we finally managed.

And finally we made our way into the Grand Bazar – at this point we fair welled Janet & Robert who had some other things to do before heading to the airport later that afternoon.

In the Grand Bazar against all odds I managed to navigate back to several stalls we had been to in the morning – where based on our return we managed some very fruitful bargaining. The biggest shopping missions of the day were Cassies search for a pipe – she succeeded after several shops and much bargining, and Lorin & mine’s search for spoons to go with our tea set – the closed we came was some at 200 lira for 6 – they were stirling silver – oh well we always have Sunday.

My final purchase at the Grand Bazar was a Tvla (backgammon) set – I probably didn’t bargaining the guy down as much as I should have but to be honest I was rather over it and had enough shopping.

After an afternoon of successful shopping we headed back to the hotel – via the jewellery shop we had been to in the morning where Cassie got the same great bargain as we had. I couldn’t resist and bought myself a ring to go with one of the pairs of earrings I had bought in the morning.

Photos @ Kodak

Long day of travel

Long day of travel from Cappidocia to Istanbul with a stop at Ankara the capital of Turkey to visit Anit Kabir the monumental mausoleum of Ataturk the father of modern Turkey.



Photos @ Kodak

Day 2 Cappadocia

not so may words today

we finally visited the underground city were the locals used to take refuge from invaders

visited a carpet seller - where had the opportunity to try our hand at knotting a carpert and learnt how they create the silk threads and the different styles of rugs



and as always there are photos @ Kodak

Turkish Night

Second night in Cappadocia sees us loading up on the bus and heading for a local venue that hosts “Turkish Nights” this is a all you can eat and drink night with entertainment. The venue is in a cave. The night starts with with a presentation by Whirling dervishes – it was fasinating to see them after having been to their museum – during the main part of the presentation we weren’t allowed to take photos or eat and drink out of respect for the prayer. At the end though they bring up the lights and do some more whirling and we were permitting to take photos then.

After that it was a continuous stream of various folk dances and food & drink. We didn’t get to be entirely passive – they got us all up to do some folk dancing which included a Turkish style conga line and to outside where they got us all dancing around a bonfire before leading us back inside.

Where they got us to all sit on the floor in a great big circle and did a dance that told the story of various suitors trying to win a girl’s love. Once they had told they story they got the audience involved – picking a Lorin from our tour to be the girl to be won and then various men from the audience tried to when her affection – her final choice was James from our tour.

The belly dancer got several of the boys up to try their hand – which was amusing – it was Frosties birthday so we made sure that the she got him up hehehehe

At the end of the evening – we stumbled and staggered our way back to the bus – well the majority of people did – Bridget, Selim and I for various reasons had drunk very little. It was very funny to see Canar as drunk as everyone else – this was the first time he had drunk alcohol with us as he had given it up for Ramadan.

Back at the hotel we continued to party on at the night club there – we were the only ones there – which was probably a good thing as we were very rowdy and it really wasn’t that big.

Photos @ Kodak

Cappadocia - Valleys and Pottery

Imagination Valley – first stop today was imagination valley where the rocks have been worn away into shapes that resemble various animals, objects and icons - I wasn’t particularly imaginative the only one I could really see was Mother Mary *



Photos @ Kodak

After some exploring it was time for the next item on the agenda

Pottery
The pottery place we were taken to is a family business which has been running for about 200 years – every pottery has it’s own family patterns – the ones here were beautiful and bright in a sort of Ottoman style.

We started our tour in the manufacturing section seeing where the clay was brought in and learning about the different clays. Next we were shown how they make there mass produced plates – still a mostly hand done process – but with guides to make the plates etc uniform

The 3rd stop on our tour was the artists – who hand paint the plates in a variety of designs – it was amazing watching them work on amazingly complex designs free hand.

Next was a demonstration by a master potter and some apple tea – a master potter must be able to throw a pot and make a lid for it that fits exactly – it was amazing watching this happen before my very eyes. The master potter we watched is the youngest in the area apparently and is considered very good husband material.

And the final stop was the show room for some shopping of course. The Owner gave us an automatic 50% discount so bargaining wasn’t really a big thing here. So many different designs to choose from – it was hard to know where to look – there were plates, bowls, cups, vases in all shapes and sizes and decorated in a myriad designs.

I was drawn to the family designs – amazing bright colours in a lace like pattern with tulip flowers breaking across them. One plate particularly caught my eye so I checked out the price – at half price it was 65 lira so I put it down and went to look at some other designs I quite liked – but once again not really in my price range. I wandered back to the original plate for another look – well more a drool really – and I suddenly I had a sales man of my own. He was very lovely even while doing the hard sell – he was chattered way to me while I looked at other designs – and even took me back down to the painting workshop to look at a plate I like down there but that wasn’t on the shop floor – it was a square plate with a white ??? design on it. Thankfully Bridget kept me company through this as it can get rather over whelming having so much friendly sales attention. My salesman – who was one of the family members offered me an additional 5 lira off and my indecision finally crumbled and I bought the plate.

I have to say I find my natural indecision to be a very good bargaining tool in Turkey

My dream plate was about the size of a small table top with a price to go with it at half price it was still around 2000 lira and even if I could have afforded it not sure how the hell I would have got it home.


Photos @ Kodak

Oh yeah also climbed Fairy Chimmey's as well - a skirt really isn't the best atire for this sort of activity - but I managed it ;)



Photos @ Kodak


* in Turkish Christian religion I found it rather interesting that they referred to Mary – Jesus’ Mother as Mother Mary rather than Virgin Mary as they do in Western Catholic religion - gives a very different value to her I think

Dinner and a bath 24 Oct 06

Tonight was dinner with the whole tour - :Lorin and I shared a local dish called Tesdi Kebab – they put all the ingredients in a pot and seal it with dough and bake it for a few ours – then to serve it they slice the top of the pot with a small sword like knife and pour it in to a heated dish – with a warning to watch out for bits of pottery. It was delicous!!

Meals with all or the group are great fun as everyone will share a taste of what they ordered so get to taste many more dishes than you could ever taste on your own.

After dinner it was back on the bus for short drive to the Turklish bath.

You start off by collecting a pair of plastic sandals and a checked sarong and then you go to a change room and get into our togs.

Once these preparations were completed it was time for step 1 – the sauna which was so foggy you could barely see the person sitting opposite you and so very hot it was hard to breathe – you endured this for as long as you could and then fumbled your way to the door where you were directed to the plunge pool – which was just a little bit of a shock to the system but oh so refreshing after the sauna and then it was back to the sauna you went. The sauna seemed so much hotter the second time and I didn’t’ last nearly as long – so I wrapped my now very soggy wrap around me and head out again this time I was directed to a second room where we were directed to lie down on a rather unappealing looking slab of marble – but rather than being cold it was hot – so hot in fact that we has to ask them to cool it off with some cool water. And while a slab of marble doesn’t sound very comfy to lie on it was surprisingly so.

After an unknown time laying on the slab you were lead off to an alcove were there were individual slabs and you were loofahed. Once you were loofahed generally you were sent to a shower to rinse off and from there it was off to another marble table for the massage

I was lucky and didn’t have to move for my massage – I was rinsed off where I lay. The massage was slightly disconcerting but blissful. First they soaped you up – by blowing up a calico bag that had been soaked in soapy mix and blobbing it over you and then they got down to work – one of the most relaxing things about it was that none of the guys really knew any English so no talking required.

After the massage it was back to the heated slap for a while before time to get dressed.

The final bit of pampering in the massage room happened just as you are leaving all languide and relaxed – they tied a fresh dry towel around you.

After we were dressed time for a relaxing cup of tea and mot of a game of Talva with Selim before time to head back to the hotel and sleep.

Leaving for Cappodiocia 24 Oct 06

A very early start – but we managed with 3 nights in one place to look forward to as well as a Turkish bath.

Our tourist adventure today was Ihlara Valley where there are many churches carved into the rock and around 1048 stairs to visit them

We were supposed to go to the underground city as well but didn’t make it in time

Photos @ Kodak

And we also stopped at the Whirling Dervish Museum - where amongst other things we learnt that ostrich eggs will stop spiders weaving webs..

Photos @ Kodak

Antalya

We arrived quite late after a long day of travel – our room was rather tight – it was a twin room that they had just squeezed a cot into – which was survivable as we arrived so late and were leaving so early.

A Group of us headed off to dinner at a local kebab shop, after which Chris, James, Lorin and I went for a little bit of shopping – Chris was on a mission to find a new pair of thongs – he was actually wearing his hotel slippers!!1

After dinner I headed off on my own for a walk – beautiful balmy weather – wandered down the main street – stopped for some dessert and made it all the way down to the water. The water was so still all he lights were beautifully reflected in it. I tried taking some photos but they didn’t work out very well

Olympus

Having finally collected the boat people we headed to Olympus for a few hours – Olympus is known for it tree hours and there is a beach and an ancient city.

Most of the land lubbers headed straight for “Canars house” for some lunch at the café they had platforms with low tables and cushions to sit on and growing all around them were orange trees which grew the most amazing green oranges

As I wasn’t hungry so I headed off to the beach with some of the boat people to get to the beach you had to pay 2 Lira entry fee to the ancient city – so after a short wander we made it to the beach where parked ourselves down on the small rocks as apposed to the large rocks.

I headed straight into the water it was beautiful – swam for a bit and then just floated looking up @ the scenery and pretending I was all along in the world.

Bridget took some photos of me bobbing about.

By the time I head back in to the shore the shade had crept over our possie on the beach.

After a bit I head back to the café and grabbed a drink and watched Selim and Canar play back gammon they play it SO fast it’s hard to know whats going on.

Talva (backgammon) is very popular in Turkey – tea houses have boards for customers to use

Photos @ Kodak

Why are we waiting?!

A late start today as we were picking up the boat people – the plan was to get to the harbour @ 11.30ish lazy on the beach until they arrived around 12 – which didn’t end up working so well – the beach a had a lot of rubbish washed up on it so one was going to go swimming – a couple of the girls decided to sun bather though, The rest of us decided to go for wander along the harbour.

Just as we arrived the boat came into the harbour however things didn’t turn out as well as you would think. 1.5 hours later hour guys still hadn’t come ashore and the only progress had been Canar being picked up by the little motor boat and going out to the boat. Finally 1 hour late and a nearly 2 hours after arriving in the bay the boat people arrived and we were on our way.

Photos @ Kodak

A Day @ Sea

On a boat today – stopping at random places and swimming. It was so calm I even did a bit of snorkelling and saw a fish or tow but only near the islands.

At the second place we stopped the Gulet with the other ½ of our groups was also moored so Rob and Frosty popped on the flippers and swam over to say hello and then swam back

And before too long Chris, James & Joel swam over for a visit and spot of lunch and not long after that Julie and Louie came over in the gullets small motor boat.

It was nice to see them but the noise level on the boat sure did spike with them on board.

After lunch the boat moved on to another bay where there was a ruined house and a very small castle ruin.

I swam over to the have a look and when Rob came over decided it was time to explore the castle we started out following a trail marked with red paint but somewhere along the way we lost it but we made it to the top one the less. We had a little explore of the ruins – they were only little but hey had a Turkish flag and a cannon. Both Rob & I wished we had been able to bring our cameras over from the boat.

We coooeeed to the boat and they took some photos of us as King of the Castle.

On the way down we managed to follow the path the whole way down – made for a much quicker trip.

It was like being a little kid again – find our way through the bush

Photos @ Kodak

A VERY Lazy Day

Went to the beach and lazed in the sun and the water. About the most activity I had was building and decorating a sand castle with Frosty – sadly although I took photos – they have vanish :(

Also did a little bit of shopping in Kas (Kash) and bought a small hand made pottery bowl.

I want to go again!!!

After our lazy day it was time for our first optional activity – Paragliding!!!! of the 8 left on land 6 of us headed off to run off a mountain.



I just couldn’t wait!! We had been watching the paragliders all afternoon from the blue lagoon watching them twirl and twist above us – I was just about beside myself with excitement much to the amusement of the others.

The jeep ride up was pretty harrowing there were 7 customers and 7 pilots wedged in the back of an open jeep hanging on for dear life as we rattled and bumped and jerked our way up the mountain. There was general chatting and nattering - one of the pilots was chatting away to us – he was crazy but his banter helped everyone - calming a little for those nervous an hype those of already excited.

The jeep ride up was around 35-40 minutes with a slight pause for the crazy pilot to pick some grapes for us to eat.

Just below the take off point the jeep stopped and the pilots jumped out – and we were given the option of either ride the in the jeep or walk straight up with the pilots. Phillipa and I decided to walk up. Which was absolutely the right idea when watching the Jeep rock it’s way off to the take off point.

We discovered who our pilots where when they asked us our name and introduced themselves. Mine was the crazy one from the jeep ride up who’s name is.... errr I can't remember. Turns out he something like No 1 in Turkey and No 6 in the world. I was a bit worried what he was going to be like but there was no time to think – as he strapped me into my harness and helmet and explained how take off would work – and have 2 goes – we were first in the and then

OH my GOD!! It just took my breathe away

It’s like floating! And the view was amazing it was just on sunset and the sun was blazing the air was so clear and fresh

My pilot was fabulous – he explained that weren’t moving around a lot as we were climbing a thermal which would give me a longer flight.

On the way up in the jeep he had explained that the length of the flight would depend on the air currents. So we kept climbing higher and higher and the view was phenomenal first I could see over one mountain/hil and in the valley the beyond that eventually we climbed higher than all the other tandeum paragliders and with only single paraglider above us.

I could have stayed up there all day as it was we were up the longest out of my group – about 40-50 minutes in fact my pilot got told off for being up so long when we landed.

Just before we came into land my pilot asked if I would kike to do some tricks – hell yes! Was my answer

So he got me to hold on to the straps and said when I tell you to move your body in a certain direction move that way so I sat still and waited and then did as I was directed and then we were spinning – my legs were no longer beneath me but to my side and when I looked down there was the ocean! Better than any ride ever – even doing it in the plane – when you do a move like this paragliding is that it is so immediate you don’t just have the feel of the g-forces you have wind in your hair and the sun on your face.

While floating around up in the sky I was able to spot Lorin and call out to her – she was wearing a skirt so the bare legs were easy to spot – she said I was easy to spot in my read fleecy.

At one point my pilot just sort of stopped and had a cigarette and offered me one as well.

It was amazing to just be hanging around up there just sort of suspended in the air.

Landing was an interesting experience – you have to stand up and then run as soon as your feet hit the ground – only problem with this is that your not exactly sure when your feet will hit the ground and 2 when standing my harness came down to around my knees! But I managed a respectable landing – Lorin made the best one apparently, Kristy nearly landed on her knees and Phillipa landed with her chute over a bunch of near by sunbakers

My pilot also told me about night time flights – full moon and it’s like you can touch the sky they sound magical

Asked my pilot how he got in to paragliding and he said through his mother who is a champion sky diver – his mother took him on a tandem sky dive when he was 4 years old and he got to do his first solo one when he was 11

Photos @ Kodak

Cruisey Day

Canar cancelled our wake up call due to having heard our party the night before. So after a slow start we all made it onto the bus and headed to the harbour where the Boys, Bridget, Lou & Julie and Joel & Jolene headed off on a gullet for 3 nights.

Lunch in restaurant above Fetiyhe – and more carved tombs

The rest of us had some free time in Fetithye before heading to the blue lagoon far a few hours R&R we hired sun lounges lazed in the sun, reading, sleeping chatting and even swimming a little.

A Night in Feithye

Last night most people stayed in – with only a few of us making our way into town. The reason for so many people staying in was not because they planned to have an early night but because we were having a party night – the Boys nominated their room as the location and declared they would smash us all.

So ensued an evening of drinking games, and general merriment. Including a dance off, singing and ending with having my roommate disappearing and me being locked out of my room as will happen although she did come back to find me as she felt bad about locking me out but by that time I had had found an alternate bed and was fast asleep.

All in all a fun and funny night

And I never did find out why the side table ended up in my bag?????

Sailkent Gorge

The plan at Salkient Gorge was to raft down it have a mud bath and then some lunch, however when we go to the gorge the weather was pretty average sot he rafting got canned. And we settled for lunch a walk along the gorge. Lunch was ok rather expensive for what it was but that was to be expected as it was the only place to eat.

Once you reach the end of the wooden walk way you could hire plastic shoes and continue your walk up the gorge in the water.

After much blustering and bellowing but he boys about smashing it – it was the girls that stepped up to the challenge. Joelene & I found shoes to fit and set off on our adventure first our aim was just to see what was couldn’t be bee seen from the viewing platform and after that it was to see what around the next bend. We decide that this would be our last corner so up the rock we went on the other side there were no rocks to step down on so we decided to slide down and continue on in the water. As J had the camera I went first – and in I slid all the way up to my neck!!! From there the current moved me down a short set of rapids where I collected a number of scraps and bruises. After this misadventure we decided we had better head back as we had no idea of the time and out departure time was set for 5pm.

Travelling with the current was actually harder than travelling against it – more little rocks got into our stylish hire shoes and because you were moving in the direction of the current it felt much more like the current could sweep your feet out from under you with every step.



We finally made it back to the viewing platform – where Bridget was waiting for us and tapping her watch letting us know we were running late. With Bridget holding up our towels we stripped off out wet clothes and wrapped our towels around us and hurried back to the bus. Thankfully no one was particularly bothered by our late return and once we were in dry clothes Canar finally succeeded in herding everyone on to the bus.

Photos @ Kodak

Tols

Tols is another ancient City - which is famous for the tombs carved into the rocks. Canar told us not to walk up to the top so of course we all did. The view was amazing,. We were warned about snakes – but had a healthy disregard for them when told that it would take 4 of them to kill you.

There were a number of stalls selling various items – stone carvings, bird whistles, fruit and lace. At first I wasn’t going to buy a piece but then they offered Jolyenee & I 2 for 10 Lira so we decided to buy two between us.

Photos @ Kodak

Pammukkale

We arrived at Pammukkale very late and as it was VERY windy we weren’t able to take a dip in Cleopatra’s bath so instead we just wandered about the terrace pools which they no longer allow people to swim in as during the 80/90’s the body oils, lotions make up etc of the large numbers of visitors was turning the beautiful white surrounds of the pools black. You can still walk along the edges of some of them and take photos – one of the pools you can walk along is warm the others are cold.

The wind was ferocious but the view was spectacular and even more so when combined with a burning sunset.


Photos @ Kodak

Bliss

Finally tasted Turkish delight in Turkey – have been having sweets with most meals but all of the pastry/cake/dumpling variety.

Today after lunch Lorin and I went to the sweet Shop! Where I FINALLY got to sample Turkish Rose Turkish delight and it was delicious!!! Turkish delight in Australia has always been really sticky and gooey but here it is live very firm jelly and even with it’s coating of icing sugar it’s hardly sticky. I couldn’t resist going back for a few more pieces.

It has the most delicately rich perfume flavour mmmmmmmmmmm

Unexpected Shopping Extravagance

From Ephesus we were taken to a leather factory, were we were treated to Apple tea and a fashion parade which included Chris & Christie of our tour group.

After the fashion show they explained a bit about the leather they made and use in their jackets – they only use lamb skin and make 3 types of leather normal, suede and silk leather.

Silk leather is made from scraping the leather on both sides it is very fine and very soft hence as the name implies soft like silk.

Before we went in to the leather factory Canar advised us on how to bargain properly and if we need any help to let him know.

After the fashion show and the information we were let loose in the show room – the range of jackets was amazing in both style and colour.

5 people on the tour purchased jackets, 4 of them had Canar haggle their side for them. 1 person bargined their own sale and was only £2 worse off for the effort.

And so I’m so very proud of my black silk leather jacket for which I bargained for all on my lonesome – with moral support from Bridget.

Ephesus

First stop today was the city of Ephesus once a centre for business and trade with a large harbour although now a mere 10kms inland.

The weather started out rather dodgy but by the time we finished our time there a rew hours later it had cleared up significantly.

In addition to the ever present cats at Ephesus there were also a number of dogs including 2 of the cutest fluffy puppies

Photos @ Kodak

Pumpkin

Here pumpkin is used as a pudding aand tonight it was part of our dessert buffet – it’s baked then soaked in sugar syrup and they served it with a chocolate cream - and in the interests of broading myself figured I would give the dreaded pumpkin a go and while it wasn’t something I would have again I didn’t find it completely repulsive either.

Troy & Pergamum

First stop this morning was Troy which while interesting is very much just ruins. The excavations have uncovered no less than 10 cities having been built on the site

And here is the mandatory cat.


There are 2 Aussie brothers on the tour – which comprises of 11 Aussies, 2 Kiwis and 2 Londoners – anyway back to the brothers – they are both teachers and highly entertaining on the whole, however today they managed to leave their camera at the hotel. Our ever helpful tour guide, Canar (Janar) made some calls and confirmed that the camera was at the hotel but the cost of a taxi to bring it to troy would be 90 Lira.

Which was too much, after some quick thinking by Canar our bus driver saved the day by agreeing to under take the journey back for just 50 Lira!!

Next stop after Troy was Pergamum, of which much of the ornate marble has been removed with the permission of the then government.

Pergamum was at one time the capital of the kingdom that ruled much of the surrounding area.

After Pergamum there was a 3.5 hour drive to Seluk where we were staying the night. As the weather was so minkey – rain, overcast and foggie it was a good day to be in the bus

Troy Photos @ Kodak
Pergamum Photos @ Kodak

Reki

Reki is a Turkish aniseed liqueur that is both potent and dreadful. After dinner we went to a bar and tried this – as I was aniseed which I’m not a fan of I decided to err on the cautious side and just have a tasto of Lorin’s. A wise move – it was very nasty and I won’t be having any more

Dancing on the Ferry 16 Oct 06

Chris one of the brother knowing that I taught Ceroc/Modern jive had been after me to teach him some moves so on the ferry we finally had time and the space so I taught him an octopus and basket lean – it was a lot of fun - although I suspect the locals on the ferry thought we were just slightly mad!

Gallipoli

Today we visited Gallipoli.

Our first stop was ANZAC Cove. I’ve read about the terrible terrain that ANZAC’s faced when they first landed but to actually see it, stand on the beach and look up at it was something else again.

From ANZAC Cove we made our way to the first cemetery, Lone Pine and finally Chuink Bair.

The area of Gallipoli peninsula just doesn’t seem large enough to contain all the bodies that rest there.

It is truly amazing to see the friendship that Turks have for the ANZACs despite/because of the events that took place at Gallipoli

I can’t put into words everything I felt seeing the place that in so many ways was the birth place of Australia as a true Nation.

Photos @ Kodak

Travelling with electronic equipment

The battery was getting a little low on my camera last night and as were heading to Gallipoli today I found out my convertors = Uk to Turkey, then on Aus to UK – plugged that in to the socket plugged the charger in the charger I had packed only to discover that it wasn’t the charger for my camera but for my video camera which I hadn’t brought with me!!!

All was not lost when we hopped on the bus Lorin – one of my room mates – enquired if anyone had the same camera – and while the answer was no – Joel’s camera took the same batter so has loadned me his spare battery and will charge mine for me tonight!

Day 1

First full day of the tour today and a leisurely start @ 10am. Went to the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque. Sophia Hagia and Topkapi Palace

Sophia Hagia has an interesting history – being first a church, then a mosque and now a museum. Some of the church decorations were altered and when the church became a mosque and are still there now – the best example of this is the Seraphim – in the Church this had been a face surrounded by 6 wings – just painted over the face in the middle and kept the wings. All images of people in the church was covered over so that when the muslims prayed they wouldn’t be bowing down/worshipping a person rather than Allah.

Blue Mosque was bustling – as it was Ramadan – there were stalls in the courtyard as well as many people making pilgrimage to this mosque. Canar led us inside where we sat on the floor near the Women’s prayer area and listened as he explained to us about the history of the mosque and some of the Muslim culture. To be honest while listening I did get a little distracted watching people come and go at their worship – we weren’t there at a call to prayer – the mosque is closed at that time – but there were a lot of people coming and going.

The mosque it’s self is beautiful with tiles, carvings and carpets – the carpets are woven in a pattern that contains hundreds of prayer mats


Sophia Hagia Photos @ Kodak
Blue Mosque Photos @ Kodak
Topkapi Palace Photos @ Kodak

1st Adventure in Istanbul

Having arrived saftely in Turkey, got to the hotel, met up with the tour group and had dinner Phillipa (a NZ girl on the tour) and I decided it was time to go for a walk and have a look see.

We had been warned about the possibility of being harassed by Turkish men saying things like I want fuck you, have sex with me and the like and some even going so far as to touch you. So baring this in mind we walked confidently and not being on our own though we should be Ok and if not had decided on a course of action – loudly and clearly telling the man involved to GO AWAY!

We walked down to the harbour where there were stalls on the ground selling coats, shoes, belts, and carts selling a wide variety of food including fresh grilled fish which even though we had just had a delicious dinner were tempted by.

The harbour edge and the bridge especially were lined with men and boys fishing they were catching small silver looking fishes.

However out leisurely pleasant walk didn’t last long – we were joined by “our friend” who wasn’t a friend at all he was young Turkish man who was making continuous rude overtures to us and although we ignored him to start with – he was somewhat secrete while we were around larger No’s of people as soon as there were less people around his comments would get louder and he would get closer at which point we turned around and told him to go away – but we soon realised that this only added to his enjoyment when he decided to show us his dick! Which actually prompted not the screams of horror he expected – after the initial shock I laughed – I just couldn’t believe what we had just seen!!

At one point he came up behind us and startled me when he touched me and even my automatic response of turning and hitting him didn’t even put him off.

“Our friend” left us when we turned up the main road that lead to the area our hotel was in. he called out thank-you and by and finally left us alone

Security Encounter

As you would be aware there is heightened security measures in the UK for hand luggage – basically nothing of a liquid, gel, cream or lotion nature in addition to the standard no combustibles or sharp pointy items – which means I am currently 5 hours with out lipe balm! :(

My encounter with security came about due not to the new restrictions but to the one on sharp pointy things – which is rather silly considering how used to it I am.

It started on Friday when I threw my scissors in my back pack along with a bunch of Random stuff that I would pack into my check-in bag when I got to London because we were running late.

However when it came to sorting things out I didn’t see the scissors and forgot all about them.

When I checked in they asked about liquids, pointy things, combustibles etc in my hand luggage to which I responded only my water which I would throw out when I joined the cue for security. So with my boarding pass in hand I headed on my merry way to the security check cue – which was rather long so I read my book as I shuffled along and before I knew it, it was my turn to have my bad x-rayed and walk through the metal detector. I made it through the metal detector fine but my bag wasn’t so lucky- it was diverted to a desk where it had to await the attentions of a staff member. Finally they brought it over to counter where everything was taken out of the bag.

Having flicked through all the papers and books I had – he left them with me while he took everything else to be re- x-rayed – but no scissors showed up so he came back to where I was and did a bit more of a shake and flick with the books and papers and there they were – they had been caught up inside the cover of my “Black ‘n’ Read” note book – sad to say they are now the property of Stansted Airport.

I wonder how easy it would be have been for me to palm the scissors from the not book while my bag was being re-xrayed if I had known they were there.

And what do the airports do with all the scissors and other confiscated items?