summercomfort (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
summercomfort) wrote2011-07-14 12:51 am
summercomfort) wrote2011-07-14 12:51 am
more Turkey
Things have reached that point in travelling when all the experiences and feelings pile up and everything seems to be a blur. Jono has come and gone, and now Joanne and I have only one more stop left before we part ways. So here are some bits and pieces extracted from the blur.
canakkale was fun.. meeting Australians and getting a great guide for Troy. Seeing the nine layers of Troy and hearing all of the Trojan horse hypotheses. I also feel like I know more about Gallipoli. Plus runningg around actual trenches.
Bergama... our first big Roman ruin with standing columns and really the feeling of a once thriving and complex city. Didn't get a guide so missed some of the nuances. But feeling the breeze as you stand in the amphitheater as the outlines of the ancient acropolis opens before you, with the cute medieval town behind was amazing nonetheless. We got separated from Joanne while finding a way down, but we managed to make our way down through the ruins and a hole in the fence. We miraculously met back up with Joanne at the Red Basilica. Breakfast on the rooftop terrace of the guesthouse, shaded by grapevines.
Managing through luck and phone calls to wrangle a last minute guide to Ephesus who turned out to be the company's best guide... degree in Translation and Archeology. Learned a lot of the background context for all the Roman ruins, saw the civic center at Ephesus. Also visited a cini shop... porcelain-like but not.
Saw Jono off at the airport and horrible night bus to Antalya.
Sketchy guy in Antalya as we wandered lost on the tiny streets. Scored last minute boat cruise at less than half price... 6 hours on the water, with yummy fish lunch, and swimming in the ocean. Explored some caves that were only accessible by water. Got a bit scratched up by sharp rocks and lost my ring, but found the perfect chillaxing cave grotto and the perfect place to hide pirate treasure. Exciting Troy dance show at the Aspendos roman amphitheater turned into disappointing Troy dance show at the fake Aspendos theater. Managed to see real Aspendos the next day thanks to the helpsul hotel staff and a taxi driver who insisted on speaking to us in German.
Alanya was hot. But beautiful castle on a tall bluff next to the beach means great views and great castle setup. Nice 4km amble back down to the beach where we had the perfect meal at an Ottoman house restaurant with a sweet girl singing sweet songs, andvery attentive waiters. This was followed by a hamam... the whole deal. The oil massage was a bit unnecessary, but the rest was great.
Next...Konya
canakkale was fun.. meeting Australians and getting a great guide for Troy. Seeing the nine layers of Troy and hearing all of the Trojan horse hypotheses. I also feel like I know more about Gallipoli. Plus runningg around actual trenches.
Bergama... our first big Roman ruin with standing columns and really the feeling of a once thriving and complex city. Didn't get a guide so missed some of the nuances. But feeling the breeze as you stand in the amphitheater as the outlines of the ancient acropolis opens before you, with the cute medieval town behind was amazing nonetheless. We got separated from Joanne while finding a way down, but we managed to make our way down through the ruins and a hole in the fence. We miraculously met back up with Joanne at the Red Basilica. Breakfast on the rooftop terrace of the guesthouse, shaded by grapevines.
Managing through luck and phone calls to wrangle a last minute guide to Ephesus who turned out to be the company's best guide... degree in Translation and Archeology. Learned a lot of the background context for all the Roman ruins, saw the civic center at Ephesus. Also visited a cini shop... porcelain-like but not.
Saw Jono off at the airport and horrible night bus to Antalya.
Sketchy guy in Antalya as we wandered lost on the tiny streets. Scored last minute boat cruise at less than half price... 6 hours on the water, with yummy fish lunch, and swimming in the ocean. Explored some caves that were only accessible by water. Got a bit scratched up by sharp rocks and lost my ring, but found the perfect chillaxing cave grotto and the perfect place to hide pirate treasure. Exciting Troy dance show at the Aspendos roman amphitheater turned into disappointing Troy dance show at the fake Aspendos theater. Managed to see real Aspendos the next day thanks to the helpsul hotel staff and a taxi driver who insisted on speaking to us in German.
Alanya was hot. But beautiful castle on a tall bluff next to the beach means great views and great castle setup. Nice 4km amble back down to the beach where we had the perfect meal at an Ottoman house restaurant with a sweet girl singing sweet songs, andvery attentive waiters. This was followed by a hamam... the whole deal. The oil massage was a bit unnecessary, but the rest was great.
Next...Konya