Amelia here, just needed to correct one of the Turkey entries thanks to a little help from Wayne (and I quote):
There seems to be an error on your blog. On your section about the blue cruise it states "Wayne, the pomme, took a lot of convincing to enter the sea". Shouldn't it say: "Wayne, the dashing pomme, entered the sea with style, grace and flair. Indeed, he touched the water with such beauty that Adrian became momentarily homosexual and fell in love with this mysterious stranger".
Wayne, I couldn't have put it better myself if I tried.
Showing posts with label Turkey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Turkey. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Monday, 26 May 2008
More photos of Turkey
Here are the links to our photos from the rest of our trip to Turkey (got to love free internet in hostels...).
Bodrum, Fethiye and Olympus pictures are here.
The Blue Cruise pictures are here.
And Cappadocia pictures are here.
Hope you enjoy! (and don't get overwhelmed by the sheer number of them - it's a back-up for us in case we lose our discs as well!)
Bodrum, Fethiye and Olympus pictures are here.
The Blue Cruise pictures are here.
And Cappadocia pictures are here.
Hope you enjoy! (and don't get overwhelmed by the sheer number of them - it's a back-up for us in case we lose our discs as well!)
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is awesome. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip around Turkey.
We were based in a town called Goreme which was smack bang in the middle of the region. The whole area was covered in ash by a volcanic explosion about 2 million years ago (if I remember the guidebook correctly), and as a result of erosion by rain and rivers, has created some of the most stunning, yet bizarre, landscape you'll ever see.
Day one saw us visit the Goreme Open Air Museum. It's a series of churches and rooms cut into the rock in the 15th or so century, complete with incredible frescoes. It's crazy when the temperature is soaring outside and inside the caves is cool as. We can completely understand why they built underground instead of above ground!
That day we also walked the Zemi Valley which had a very cool cave system cut into the cliffs above it, and then met up with 6 other people from our Blue Cruise to test out Cappadocia's Kebab Centre. Nice one.
After the night bus the previous night, it was absolute bliss to sleep in our cave room at the pension (we got a good deal, other places only had 'cave-like' rooms, ahaha).
The next day was full on. We visited an underground city which blew the mind (60m underground and they still had fresh air and water), walked the length of the famous Ilhara Valley (including seeing a snake being attacked by a bird, crazy), visited Selime monastary which apparently was used as a set for Star Wars, and checked out the castle overlooking Goreme.
That night six of us had the flashest dinner we've had so far on this trip. One of the specialities of the region are 'testi kebaps' or pottery kebabs. They slow cook (5 hours) meat and veges together in a pottery amphora and then break it open at your table. Oh my goodness - absolutely delicious.
Our final day in Cappadocia saw us doing a whole bunch of walking - the Snake Valley, the Rose Valley, the Devrent Valley (as well as many kms in between them all!). The tramping boots got a good workout that's for sure. The Rose Valley was Amelia's favourite (I have never taken so many pictures of just rocks), and the fact we had a random dog walk with us for the entire length definitely increased the amusement value.
Next stop, Bulgaria!
Blue Cruise
Cruising around the eastern Mediterranean for four nights, being fed three massive meals per day, swimming in crystal clear, blue, blue water, sunbathing on deck, and partying at night. A 'Blue Cruise' is definitely the best way to see the Turkish coast!
Our cruise started in Fethiye and went all the way to Kale (near to Olympus). The bathroom in our cabin was the largest bathroom that we have had to date, but you had to time your shower to get any hot water - it took us about a day to realise that the engine had to be running! Along the way we saw some amazing sights including Butterfly Valley, St Nicolas Island, the town of Kas, the Sunken city, and some of the best coastline and coves we have seen.
The real bonus of the trip was the people that were on the cruise with us. There were 10 people in total, 2 NZers (us), 7 Australians and the token Pom. We all got on like a house on fire and we have been travelling with most of them in one way or another since. (And we're not only saying that because we've given them all this blog address...).
The crew was another story. They were well weird (hanging round with a Pom means we picked up some English slang). The captain took delight in stroking all the boys faces and telling them their beards were beautiful, tickling our feet (not in a nice way), and getting the two girls working on the boat to give his disgusting feet a pedicure - ew gross. I guess it was a trade-off for having good guests!
On our last night we were supposed to head to 'Smuggler's Inn' (a so-called 'pirate disco') for a big party. It was not to be (apparently it had been closed for about a year we found out later), so we made our own fun on the boat. Lots of raki (Turkish spirit), beer and vodka created a giant karaoke fest which culminated in a midnight swim organised by Adrian. While the Antipodeans jumped in with glee, it took a lot of convincing to get Wayne, our Englishman, to join in. He spent the next day telling us we were all crazy...
The photos tell the real story so as soon as we'll get them uploaded as soon as poss.
We were off the boat and onto a cramped minibus for 2 hours through to Olympus, not the stle that one had become accustomed to on the boat. We arrived Olympus in the middle of a long weekend and a rock festival, to say it was a bit of a shock to the system to see so many people after having only seen 15 people for five days would be an understatment.
We found the pension we had decided to stay at and booked into a 'treehouse' (in the loosest sense of the word, it was a house and there were trees about). We had a look about and lay on the beach and organised a tour to see the Chimera.
The Chimera is a natural phenomenon that just doesn't seem like it could be natural at all - flames bursting out of pure rock. There was a bit of a shambles over the tour as the one we booked with was cancelled at the last minute, leaving us scrambling to find another way there. Trying to organise transport at 10pm after having had about four hours sleep the night before was challenging to say the least. It all worked out in the end, thank goodness, as it was just awesome to see. Next time I will take marshmallows.
The following day was spent exploring Olympus. It has a stunning beach (unfortunately a bit ruined by the amount of rubbish about), some Roman ruins set in amongst the undergrowth, and a hippy vibe that threatens to suck you in and spit you out about 5 years, a giant beard, and several brain cells less later. We got out while we still could.
Next stop, Cappadocia.
Our cruise started in Fethiye and went all the way to Kale (near to Olympus). The bathroom in our cabin was the largest bathroom that we have had to date, but you had to time your shower to get any hot water - it took us about a day to realise that the engine had to be running! Along the way we saw some amazing sights including Butterfly Valley, St Nicolas Island, the town of Kas, the Sunken city, and some of the best coastline and coves we have seen.
The real bonus of the trip was the people that were on the cruise with us. There were 10 people in total, 2 NZers (us), 7 Australians and the token Pom. We all got on like a house on fire and we have been travelling with most of them in one way or another since. (And we're not only saying that because we've given them all this blog address...).
The crew was another story. They were well weird (hanging round with a Pom means we picked up some English slang). The captain took delight in stroking all the boys faces and telling them their beards were beautiful, tickling our feet (not in a nice way), and getting the two girls working on the boat to give his disgusting feet a pedicure - ew gross. I guess it was a trade-off for having good guests!
On our last night we were supposed to head to 'Smuggler's Inn' (a so-called 'pirate disco') for a big party. It was not to be (apparently it had been closed for about a year we found out later), so we made our own fun on the boat. Lots of raki (Turkish spirit), beer and vodka created a giant karaoke fest which culminated in a midnight swim organised by Adrian. While the Antipodeans jumped in with glee, it took a lot of convincing to get Wayne, our Englishman, to join in. He spent the next day telling us we were all crazy...
The photos tell the real story so as soon as we'll get them uploaded as soon as poss.
We were off the boat and onto a cramped minibus for 2 hours through to Olympus, not the stle that one had become accustomed to on the boat. We arrived Olympus in the middle of a long weekend and a rock festival, to say it was a bit of a shock to the system to see so many people after having only seen 15 people for five days would be an understatment.
We found the pension we had decided to stay at and booked into a 'treehouse' (in the loosest sense of the word, it was a house and there were trees about). We had a look about and lay on the beach and organised a tour to see the Chimera.
The Chimera is a natural phenomenon that just doesn't seem like it could be natural at all - flames bursting out of pure rock. There was a bit of a shambles over the tour as the one we booked with was cancelled at the last minute, leaving us scrambling to find another way there. Trying to organise transport at 10pm after having had about four hours sleep the night before was challenging to say the least. It all worked out in the end, thank goodness, as it was just awesome to see. Next time I will take marshmallows.
The following day was spent exploring Olympus. It has a stunning beach (unfortunately a bit ruined by the amount of rubbish about), some Roman ruins set in amongst the undergrowth, and a hippy vibe that threatens to suck you in and spit you out about 5 years, a giant beard, and several brain cells less later. We got out while we still could.
Next stop, Cappadocia.
Bodrum to Fethiye (Turkey)
Turkey eh. Can't really believe that that part of our trip is over - Turkey is fantastic and we would definitely go back in a flash.
Our triumphant return to Turkey started with a boat trip over to Bodrum and a tour of the Underwater Archaeology Museum - which has signs everywhere saying that despite the fact that most of the exhibits came from underwater, the museum itself is not actually under the sea. You don't say...
We saw more amphoras (terracotta pots) than you could shake a stick at, as well as a quite stupid peacock which had got stuck on a roof and couldn't get down. Maybe he thought the rest of the museum was under the sea so he didn't want to get wet...The museum was housed in an old castle, complete with lion heads on the wall, suits of armour, and a dungeon down a million steps. The lurid lights and figurines in the dungeon didn't really serve their intended purpose of freaking us out unfortunately. Spent the rest of the time before our night bus down to Fethiye checking out the tacky tourist area, replete with loads of pubs and very determined salesmen (no I don't need a 'genuine fake watch' thank you very much).
Arriving in Fethiye at 1am with no accommodation organised tested a few politeness and tolerance muscles, but thank goodness for Olsun pension where we woke the guy up to give us a room. After our previous night's accommodation in the abandoned washhouse, an actual bed and running water was a godsend.The next morning we headed into Fethiye proper which is a really pretty town on the Mediterranean coast. Yet another breakfast of ekmek (white Turkish bread) later, we found a hostel and commenced searching for our blue cruise. A few hours of negotiation, shopping around, and (occasionally heated) discussion later we booked ourselves in for one leaving a few days later. Which left us with a whole day on our hands - bring on a '12 Islands Cruise' - a whole day of lazing around on a boat cruising the Fethiye harbour, swimming, and tucking into a great lunch. All for only 20 lira! (About NZ$20) Brilliant.
That night we went to the Fish Market for dinner. The deal is that you buy whatever you want and take it to one of the restaurants surrounding the market where they'll cook it up for you, as well as salad, garlic bread, and fish sauces for only 5 lira! (Well, 5 lira plus however much your fish costs...). Amelia got a tuna steak the size of her head (500g, of which a third ended up on Adrian's plate, and another few mouthfuls went to the stray kittens roaming the courtyard) and Adrian got a delicious red snapper - the meal was great.
Next stop: Blue Cruise from Fethiye to Olympus!
Saturday, 10 May 2008
Photos from Turkey
Sunday, 27 April 2008
ANZAC day and tour
Sitting in an internet cafe in Kuşadasi, we are soaked and pretty cold - sunny Turkey this is not at the moment! But thinking back to our experience at Gelibolu (Gallipoli), this is nothing compared to what those guys went through in 1915. It was a pretty sobering experience being there. It's an absolutely beautiful place and it's hard to believe that such a horrendous battle took place there for eight months. But we went to remember and the two ceremonies that we went to (main dawn service and the NZ service at Chunuk Bair) were really great. Amelia was stoked to see Judy Bailey in all her 'mother of the nation' glory, while Adrian was well impressed by Winnie's speeches (Amelia reckons he's got good staff at the moment...). You may have even caught us on TVOne news?? Amelia has had at least two pieces of fan mail so far...
The day started off rather disorganised in Istanbul, but we eventually arrived and squeezed into a pozzie on the grass and settled in for the night. Man was it cold! But the -7 degree sleeping bags did their job admirably and kept us toasty for those 10 second patches you could actually fall asleep. After the dawn service we motored up the hill to Chunuk Bair and got a great sleep on the lawn in the sun (although the wind made it bitterly cold still). After the NZ service and a lengthy wait for the bus we made our way to our hotel - absolute luxury after the previous night! We are most definitely spoiled compared to what they experienced 93 years ago.
The following day we headed to Kuşadasi via Pergammon (currently called Bergama) where we saw some ancient ruins. We also went to a Turkish carpet co-operative and saw how they weave them - it was really interesting but neither of us had a spare thousand dollars or room in our packs (much to the chagrin of the salesmen). That night was spent in the cheesiest Irish pub imaginable - line dancing, cocktails with sparklers in them, conga lines and obligatory dancing on the bar - as they actually do say here, 'very nice' (insert Borat voice here).
Today we went to a leather goods factory and the ruins at Ephesus. Ephesus was fantastic, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. They had the biggest Roman ampitheatre in the world, seating 24,000, and also the first ad in the world - for a prostitute no less! They've only uncovered 4% of it and it's already an impressive sight - they reckon it will take another 1000 years to do the rest!
Today we went to a leather goods factory and the ruins at Ephesus. Ephesus was fantastic, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. They had the biggest Roman ampitheatre in the world, seating 24,000, and also the first ad in the world - for a prostitute no less! They've only uncovered 4% of it and it's already an impressive sight - they reckon it will take another 1000 years to do the rest!
It's raining pretty heavily as I said, but we're pressing on to the Greek Islands anyway. Forecast is due to improve by Thursday so we'll see how we go - might not be camping until then at least!So 'güle güle' Turkey for the meantime, we'll see you again in about two weeks.
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Istanbul
The tour has started!
Day three of our holiday and we are in Istanbul - home to more mosques than you can shake a stick at (the call to prayer is fantastic to hear). We've seen the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, a whole bunch of other ruins and the Topaki Palace which had more rubies, emeralds and diamonds than we ever thought possible. We've also done a ferry ride on the Bosphorus, a walk in new Istanbul (we're staying in Sultanahmet - old Istanbul), and are just off to a hammam tonight (Turkish bath).
Day three of our holiday and we are in Istanbul - home to more mosques than you can shake a stick at (the call to prayer is fantastic to hear). We've seen the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, a whole bunch of other ruins and the Topaki Palace which had more rubies, emeralds and diamonds than we ever thought possible. We've also done a ferry ride on the Bosphorus, a walk in new Istanbul (we're staying in Sultanahmet - old Istanbul), and are just off to a hammam tonight (Turkish bath).
But enough of the sight seeing, what about the kebabs?? Having saved up for the last 6 months to have an authentic one, we've been doing our best to try every variation we can see. Not a bad one yet! The pomegranate juice was Amelia's favourite, whereas Adrian just can't go past the kebabs...
We're staying at party hostel central, so are feeling very virtuous by the amount of touring we're doing compared to most of the other the Antipodeans who don't tend to get out of bed until midday at the earliest. Getting up at 4am for the dawn service should be interesting!
Everything's pretty reasonable, particularly our favourite dinner place where we can both get a huge meal for about NZD5 each. We got a bit gipped paying NZD9.50 for a pint while we were watching the football the other night, but soon felt better once we learnt that a double measure of spirits in the same place was NZD41!
Onto Gallipoli tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)