Hi Everyone, Close your eyes and imagine: - brilliant sunshine and dropping into the sparkling sapphire colou
red waters in a sheltered inlet in the Agean Sea. That's what I'm doing along with 12 other lucky people. Just bobbing around in the buoyant clear water and gazing back at a beautiful 39 meter motor-sailer - our home for 3 nights - and what a home!
Chestnut exterior and polished mahogany interior, surprisingly spacious cabins with ensuites, scrumptious meals and obliging crew of 5 to cater to our every whim! The only disappointment for some (not me) is that the impressive mast/sailing equipment is only for show!
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| Our cabin |
Today is day 10 of our 21 day tour of Turkey and a timely down-day to relax and do whatever takes ones fancy -swimming, reading, sunbaking etc. We began this tour in Istanbul staying in the wonderful old Sultanahemet area very near the famous Blue Mosque with six minarets built between 1609 and 1616 and so called because of the magnificent interior of panels of blue and white tiles.
Along with our English speaking Turkish guide Fatih (pronounced Fartie which causes some mirth), we did as all tourists do here. We cruised the fantastic Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Asia and Europe and marvelled at the mixture of past and present; ultra modern hotels, the beautiful old shore-front wooden villas, marble palaces and stone fortresses. We visited the Basilica of Hagia built by Constantine the Great with its Byzantine mosaics and an impressive dome said to be the widest and highest in the world.
Everyone loves the aroma of the Spice Market where every conceivable herb and spice is available along with Turkish delight to die for! Then there is the lively old Grand Bazaar where it seems everything can be purchased including Turkish crafts, brilliant hand painted ceramics, leather goods, copperware, silverware and of course carpets of every colour, size and texture. In contrast to the Bazaars are the streets of sophisticated shops in the Taksim district offering the latest fashion labels and elegant accessories with very 'elegant' price tags! Eight of our group took a 2 day mini tour to Gallipoli/Troy. The others had no trouble enjoying the two days in Istanbul. Along with a handful of other Aussies and Kiwis we gathered at the Amison hotel (an English pub) and watched the Waratahs get a hiding from Crusaders in the final of the super 14's. The Aussies we met there recommended a fantastic restaurant an Taksim called Lebi derya. What a fınd; on the 6th floor of the Richmond Hotel with not only a splendid view overlooking the Bosphorus but delicious food at reasonable prices. Wine and beer were expensive but worth it. Try it when you visit Istanbul, I promise you will not be disappointed.
From Istanbul we flew to Izmir where we were met by our driver and bus for the rest of the tour. We began by visiting the house of the Virgin Mary - (a small stone church really) nestled in wonderful gardens. Onto Ephesus, the well preserved classical Roman city where the famous Temple of Hadrian and the Library of Celsus are along with amphitheatre, fountains baths etc. Wonderful work is being done to restore these and most of the other important ruin sites in Turkey.
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| Our group at Epheses |
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| House of the Virgin Mary |
Next stop Bodrum and the 15th century Bodrum Castle built by the Crusaders and housing one of the world's largest Underwater Archaeological Museum. In Marmaris where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Agean Sea we boarded our magnificent gullet. Yesterday we had an excursion in a small river boat down the narrow reed-lined waterways to the gorgeous little village of Daylan. We saw the Turtle beach with its white sand where the Caretta Turtles still lay their eggs. Near here our group caught their first glimpse of the amazing Lycian rock tombs. Along with three others, I had a roll around in the famous warm mud bath. I can tell you it is only a myth that the mud bath makes one 10 years younger. However it was great fun and certainly made ones skin come alive.
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| Enjoying a mud bath |
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| Lycian tomb |
That's about it for now. Weather is perfect right now and we hope it doesn't get any hotter. The Turkish key-board has not changed in the last 2 years so I hope this comes to you in readable text. Cheers to all, Jeanette 8.6.2008
Everyone loves the aroma of the Spice Market where every conceivable herb and spice is available along with Turkish delight to die for! Then there is the lively old Grand Bazaar where it seems everything can be purchased including Turkish crafts, brilliant hand painted ceramics, leather goods, copperware, silverware and of course carpets of every colour, size and texture. In contrast to the Bazaars are the streets of sophisticated shops in the Taksim district offering the latest fashion labels and elegant accessories with very 'elegant' price tags! Eight of our group took a 2 day mini tour to Gallipoli/Troy. The others had no trouble enjoying the two days in Istanbul. Along with a handful of other Aussies and Kiwis we gathered at the Amison hotel (an English pub) and watched the Waratahs get a hiding from Crusaders in the final of the super 14's. The Aussies we met there recommended a fantastic restaurant an Taksim called Lebi derya. What a fınd; on the 6th floor of the Richmond Hotel with not only a splendid view overlooking the Bosphorus but delicious food at reasonable prices. Wine and beer were expensive but worth it. Try it when you visit Istanbul, I promise you will not be disappointed.
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