Day 30 to 36 - Turkey Adventure BUSABOUT Tour

Day 1: Istanbul to Gallipoli

An early start (7am) took us out of Istanbul and on to Gallipoli. The region is of course synonymous with the famous ANZAC’s who fought their way into history. As our tour group was made up of mainly Aussies and Kiwi's - it was a big part of their history. We, on the other hand, were never really taught about it so it was a great learning experience! Our trip took us on a comprehensive tour around the peninsula visiting all the sights and museums that depicted the battle back in 1915 in WWI. After the moving experience of the afternoon, we checked into our hotel in the little town, and then kicked back with our group for an evening braai.

Anzac Cove, where the Aussies first landed (their first base).

Our view from our hotel room

Day 2: Gallipoli to Ephesus

Throughout this journey, we definitely got the feeling that Turkey is one of the best open air museums in the world! We were really surprised about how many ancient Roman and Greek cities that are found in Turkey. Today was full of historic marvels and mementos, such as Troy, where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homers Iliad, and Pergamum and its staggering remains of the once famous Anatolian kingdom. Here, you can find the steepest theatre, and ancient theatre, in the world. To top off the day, we finished at our Aegean oasis where we played a bit of pool and had sun downers.

TROY:

The horse in the film "Troy" - with Brad Pitt

The exact same horse from the film "Troy"

PERGAMUM:

Day 3: Ephesus

We were rather surprised to find out that it was 39 Euro's each to go and see Ephesus. For us South Africans on a shoestring in Europe, that's close to R1000. The rest of our group, however, felt exactly the same - and an American couple who we met the night before told us that we can walk to Ephesus from the resort, and pay only 25 Turkish Lira each (R125 pp) at the gates.

We all met up at 9am after delicious French toast for breakfast, and started our hike up to Ephesus. It was time to whip out the trainers / runners! We don't use the word 'takkies' anymore, as people just look at us blankly. The hike / walk was probably about 5km's, with a few steep spots. On our trail, we came across a golden statue of Virgin Mary. It is believed that she spent her last 6 years of her life here, living with John. When we finally arrived at the gates of Ephesus, we came across an English speaking guide who charges 120 TL for 2hours. As we were in a group of 15 people, it worked out cheaply to split it and get a guide to show us around.

Ephesus is home to extensive remains of an ancient Roman city. Within the site, we found the 25,000 seater coliseum / teatro which has such brilliant acoustics that big artists such as Sting and Elton John etc. have even performed in this open air theatre. We also came across Hercules's gates, which is rumored that if you touch both sides of the gate at the same time - you get the power and strength of Hercules. We also saw one of the first hospitals (or what is rumored to be), which is marked by now the modern day sign for medicine. We viewed many statues of gods and goddesses, one of the most exciting to see was the Goddess of Nike (Victory) - where Nike the popular brand gets its name. Other amazing sites were a Library with a secret underground tunnel to a brothel across the road, and it is also believed that if this library had not been burnt in Alaxandrea, then we would be 1000 years ahead with all the information. This city had clay pipes for running water in each house (very advanced for those days), and was fortuned around a huge port which now doesn't exist because the silt has blocked it up over the hundreds of years. We saw public toilets, original man holes, mosaics, temples, and street lighting - all of which were very advanced for those days. After a historic day of ancient sights, we returned to our oasis for some relaxing around the pool and a few games of Volley Ball. Turkish dinner was a chicken braai and salad, and then we all gathered to play KINGS (the drinking game) into the early hours of the morning.

Real gold statue of Mother Mary - on route to Ephesus from our resort

Day 4: Ephesus to Saklikent Gorge

We departed from our Turkish oasis, feeling a bit under the weather, but got to sleep it off on the bus while heading inland to Pamukkale - the fascinating spa town of white calcium pools, healing waters and glowing white travertines that wind down the hill. It is rumored, that if you swim in these pools you'll come out feeling 5 years younger. The pools contain 98% calcium, while toothpaste only contains 5%. On the bottom of the pools there is calcium mud which is a great exfoliation to make your skin feel like a baby again! There is also a calcium pool where Cleopatra used to swim for hours each day. We spent a few hours wallowing in the pools before heading off to the Turkish pancake house for lunch. I must just add, that this was Bruce's first spa experience!

After the Turkish pancakes, we got back on the bus and headed south to Saklikent Gorge and our treehouse escape. On the banks of the Xanthos river , we found our own treehouses for the night! It was quite a task for Bruce to carry our bags up into the treehouse,but once we were settled in it was an awesome experience. We had a fresh trout braai, and then chilled to loud music - as our guide turned into a DJ for the night.

Day 5: Saklikent Gorge to Fethiye (The Med)

Today everyone went river rafting for an hour. Bruce and I decided to give it a skip as it was R1000 pp, and river rafting is something we can do back in South Africa. We woke up a bit later, and had a delicious breakfast. Before we knew it, they were back and it was time for us to have a quick bite to eat for lunch, and then hop back onto the bus. Luckily, we weren't going to be in the bus for very long, as Fethiye was only 45minutes away.

However, on our way to Fethiye, we stopped at a carpet making factory where we got demonstrations and then a chance to look at the carpets, feel them, and even buy them. What was absolutely fascinating about this, was that we learnt why these Persian carpets are so frightfully expensive - because it takes minimum 6 months for one girl to make one. Some even take longer, up to a few years. They use sheep wool and then dye the wool with natural colouring, such as tobacco. We also learnt the difference between a hand made carpet, as opposed to a machine made carpet. The machine made carpets are the "fake" versions - they are quick to make and then should be very cheap in price. However, many shops will sell machine made carpets, advertising that they are handmade; completely ripping you off! So, to tell the difference - ask the guy to take a lighter and light the carpet hairs. If he refuses, it's because it's machine made and it will burn a hole in the carpet. If they are handmade, the most that will happen - is you'll smell the same smell you get from burnt hair, but no mark will be left.

If you have bought lots of Persians, I don't suggest you try this at home - you might get disappointed and burn holes through your very expensive carpets.

We arrived in Fethiye at about 4pm, at a lovely hotel called V-GO right on the marine front. We said goodbye to our bus driver and guide, as they were heading back to Istanbul to start a new tour. Bruce and I got shown to a beautiful sea facing room, and then we all got ready for dinner. We all met on the terrace at 7pm, and then walked to town together. Fethiye is such a beautiful town, there are many shops (even a Nike shop), and great pubs, restaurants and cafes.

We found a place to eat on the harbour front - it was the 'last supper' with our group before everyone else went their separate ways. When sitting down, no menu's were presented - and he started mumbling away at what we could order. All of us hosing ourselves, not knowing what was going on - or how much everything cost. We eventually said no menu's, no eating here. Miraculously 15 menu's appeared with such reasonable prices, and it was clear that this man saw we were tourists and wanted to charge us more than what his menu's had stated - wanting to surprise us with a big fat bill after we had eaten. Luckily we insisted because we landed up having a burger and chips for only 5 TL - R25.

After dinner we headed to a place called Car Cemetery, which makes the most amazing cocktails - and they play English music!

Day 7: Fethiye

We are staying on in Fethiye for an extra four nights, as we want to go see Saint Nicholas (The house where Santa came from), laze on the famous Blue Lagoon beach, as well as take a trip to see the Sunken City in Bodrum.

Today we woke up, and had a big breakfast on the terrace looking over the water. We all slipped our cozzies on and then headed for the Blue Lagoon beach. It was quite a long taxi ride that by the time we arrived - the weather had changed and it was raining. Not ideal! But Bruce, being Bruce, he insisted that we needed to get lunch otherwise he was going to fall over. So, we found a restaurant on the promenade. Bruce ordered a full English breakfast, for lunch (He's missing his bacon & eggs). The rest of us all got chicken wraps and chips.

To our luck, by the time we had paid for the bill, the sun was out - and it was time to hit the beach! It was very pebbly, but absolutely breathtaking with its blue blue water. We spent the day here, and then headed back to the hotel which had a belly dance show and a party for the night.

Our hotel terrace