Day 6

Thursday 29th September, 2011

Turkey is in a region that has been invaded and ruled by many nations over its colourful 4000 year history because of its valuable position at the mouth of the Black Sea and direct access to lands to the north.  The Egyptians, Hittites and Goths, Greeks and Persians, Romans, Arabs and Ottomans have all invaded and ruled this area at some time influencing development and adding more territory around the Mediterranean Sea with the Ottoman Empire reaching from Arabia to Gibralter by the 1500’s.

 

We visited another 2 historical sites today.  The first was the House of the Virgin Mary; a tiny stone cottage built on the remains of Mary’s  house when she lived in this region.  St John the Baptist brought Mary to his home town after Christ died and she lived here until her death.  Pilgrims were able to light candles and  buy religious artifacts and Holy Water.  

The second site was the amazing city of Ephesus; a huge and complex city which was started in the 2^nd century and had fallen into ruins following earthquakes, invasions and fire.  Our group started at the city gate and wandered down the marble paved streets past the remains of the markets and Roman baths, temples and fountains, the public latrines and brothels, theatres and meeting halls, houses and shops finishing  at the spectacular 2 storied facade of the library which housed over 12,000 rolled papyrus scrolls.  We enjoyed a brief visit to the Ephesus Museum with it’s collection of statues, artifacts and carvings unearthed at the Ephesus site before another delicious lunch of mainly vegetarian dishes.... plus a little shopping.

After lunch we visited a leather factory and were entertained with a fashion parade of beautiful leather garments…. 18/44 of the group made a purchase… not me…  I had bought my little computer instead…  Much more fun….  Overnight at Kusadasi…..

Day 5

Another day exploring historical sites and travelling further along the shore of the Aegean Sea  from Canakkale to Kusadasi, some 400 klms.

The day started with a visit to Troy.  The city is now in ruins but excavations of the ancient site have revealed nine cities dating from 3000BC to 400AD superimposed one on top of another.  The city of Troy was located in a very fortunate position because the waters around this part of the Aegean were unpredictable and the winds could be very strong so passing ships would shelter in Troy’s harbour till the winds were more favourable, bringing trade and wealth.   It is thought that an earthquake may have weakened parts of the walls to allow Greek soldiers in to rescue Helena and not the popular belief of entry into Troy inside a wooden horse.

After lunch we took a cable car to the site of the mountain settlement of Pergamon dated from the 4^th century BC.  Again in ruins but evidence of a palace, theatre, gymnasium, various halls and temples have been found; all surrounded by the city walls.  The view of the whole valley and the bustling city below were spectacular.

I am enjoying the Turkish food (no fish today).  For breakfast I had light yoghurt with stewed cherries and apricots and a meza plate of tomato, olives, cucumber, cheese and toast with capsicum.  Delicious.  One specialty is a 10cm sheet of filo pastry or a wonton wrapper  filled with feta and dill mixture, rolled into a mini cigar and quickly deep fried…. Very tasty and would be great with a wine…..

Day 4

 Wow what a sobering day today was..... We left Istanbul about 7-30 and travelled South along the coast of the Marmara Sea through flat undulating country side very similar to Australia.... The houses are rather 'boxy', 2 or 3 stories and painted bright colours.  The land was used for growing sunflowers for oil, some wheat, corn and further south rice and olives.... a few goats and cows but no sheep in this region.  Turkey has a White Power policy and we passed quite a few wind farms established on the hills.  I wish Australia would get on board....  it may influence the Carbon Tax...

We traveled along the Aegean to Anzac Cove and the WW1 Memorials and what a beautiful and moving place..... very simple and quite.  The cove is just beautiful and to imagine the horrors that occurred there was painful.  We drove up onto the plateau where there are memorials to individual battles and involvement by the allies.  All very peaceful and well presented by the Turkish Government.
There was mention of a Captain Dawson from Rylstone. 
I will have to pass the photo over to Fiona.. for the wiki..... 

As we are right on the water sea food has been part of most of our meals and today I ate a whole fish.. a grilled sea bream.... Hhmm I'll try again tomorrow....  Luckily it was very small... I would have thrown it back if I had caught it... Poor thing....  Overnight a Canakkale and tomorrow more coach travel after visiting Troy.... Brad Pitt has left the building but he left his wooden horse.   cheers sc

Day 3

The day started with breakfast on the roof of our hotel with this wonderful view over the city.  There is a mosque on nearly every hill.  Into the coach and off to the Spice Bazaar……. a busy area selling spices, Turkish Delight, brass lamps, jewellery and ceramics.  Colourful, entertaining and clean…. Next to The Topkapi Palace (1478) location for the film ‘Topkapi’ … the 300 room residence of the reigning  Sultan for over 380 years.  It houses clothing, weapons and jewellery of the period including the priceless Topkapi Dagger…… a popular and attractive site.   A short walk to lunch at a local restaurant and then off to the Blue Mosque which was built in the early 1600 of Byzantine style and is known as the Blue Mosque because of the exquisite blue tile decorations inside. Walking again through the narrow cobble stone streets to the Grand Bazaar which is the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 4,000 shops.  Noisy, crowded and colourful selling everything.... leather wear, ceramics, carpets, food and luggage....... A place to make a good bargain ?...... Tomorrow we have an early start and off down South to Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and WW1 Memorials.....  Still trying to manage 4 currencies.... AU dollar, US dollar, Euros and Turkish Lira.... cheers

Day 2

Saturday and early Sunday were spent mainly in planes and transit lounges..... over 30 hours traveling..... but arrived in Istanbul via Singapore where I met up with the rest of the group about 7-30am. 
Straight out for our first tour to the St Sophia Museum which had been built as a mosque during the 6th Century.  What a spectacular building built of brick; over 80 metres long and 55 metres high. 
Then a welcome and relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus which separated the two halves of Istanbul.  It is a narrow straight which connects the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea with half of Istanbul in Europe and half in Asia.   A sea food lunch and then to the hotel at last.  Dinner and bed.   Tomorrow is to be a walking day... Looking forward to that?!!

Day 1

Well this is a new thing for me... but with my cute little mini computer i guess i can do it...  So here goes.  Tomorrow is day 1... and I am leaving Melbourne after two terrific weeks with my family here.  Thanks to Soph Rob and Lily....  My day starts at 6 am to get ready for a flight to Sydney at 9-30 to wait for my international flight to Singapore at 3-15.   I'll be waiting there for 4 hours till I catch up with the rest of the group for the flight to Istanbul at 1-50am ..  We be arriving at 7-45 am on Sunday and I'm sure will be out straight away on our first tour...  I have traveled with many of these folk before but this time I am traveling as a single... so will have time to up date my travel B log... cheers for now  but  watch this space...