Finished our tour in Budapest & flew straight out to Istanbul to start our 10 day tour of Turkey.
This time we had a couple from NZ, a couple & a single mother from Melbourne, a gay married couple from Belgium ( who were just the funniest guys) & our tour Turkish leader Ali who was from Ismar. I must say the Turkish people are very warm & welcoming to the Aussies & kiwis, respectful & they just love us visiting their city.
Istanbul was total chaos, thousands of people, tourist, local travellers & such a culture shock, but just loved the market places, food/spice markets, the food, sweets of all sorts, Turkish ice-cream, coffee, tea, Turkish delights, (yum yum) that you just can't but have a smile on your face. The variety of savoury & sweet foods to eat, the gathering of friends & families, the looking after each other, they are so humble, gentle & kind, allowed us to join in & be part of their lifestyle. The architecture of the mosques churches, were stunning amongst the old rundown residential dwellings. The beautifully old decorated gold/ food/spice markets, filled you with delight, so much fun.
Travelled to Eceabat, which is the village to where you get on a bus to go out to Gallipoli. We experienced, Anzac cove, Lone Pine cove, the Gallipoli peninsula, was so moving, emotional & finally being able to understand the journey that our Anzacs went thru. In the village they have built on the esplanade the trenches, with the war scene of the battlefields, a stark reminder of the sadness of this battle.
Visited town of Ayvalik, stayed in what used to be the old French embassy, such a grand old building. The next day we took a boat tour to the islands, with local Turkish travellers. Fabulous party boat with our own live DJ & singer, had a big twirly slippery slide on the back of the boat drops you straight into the sea. Fantastic relaxing day, listening to Turkish music, watching them dance & sing, plus us joining ( fabulous dancing, so sensual, emotional, enthusiasm, energy), wonderful swims, great lunch of endless supply of bait fish, pasta, salad, bread. Stopped at a little island village of Mithatpasa, Balikesir, for an hour, walked up the hill to a beautiful stone, cafe come library, come art display, with stunning views of the village, islands & water. Happy, fun in the sun day.
Continued travelling to Selcuk a town steeped in culture & retains many Turkish traditions. Spent the afternoon exploring the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the best preserved ancient city in Turkey, amazing structures, the city was very sophisticated with public running water, renowned medical institute, library, public toilets, Roman baths, evan a brothel, a very well preserved theatre & open air stadium that holds 25,000 people. Just in ore of such ruins, to be able to, walk around & imagine what life was like in those days. So worth the trip
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