Turkey Travels - we're well on our way!

Meraba!

After long flights from Christchurch we arrived into Istanbul's intriguing warm world, ready (well almost) for the adventures to begin. The flu-type bug that Darcy and I had had before leaving NZ hung around for a bit, and wasn't helped by Darcy coming down with a tummy bug, followed closely by Marie and me. Once that was dealt with, we've been fine. Long may it last.

Istanbul was fascinating, and we were captivated by the sights and sounds and smells. Marie was taken with the Bosphorus, especially having a dive off the boat into a sheltered Black Sea bay. I loved having a bath in the 300 year old hamam, but - shock horror - Marie found she had to take all her clothes off :-) Darcy was permanently glued to his video camera, and it seemed he talked more into the camera than to us; at times we weren't sure when he was looking for a response. The magnificence of the Blue Mosque, the immense beauty of the Aya Sofia, and the largesse of the Grand Bazaar had us fascinated, but maybe even more amazing, Marie and I exited from the Bazaar empty handed.!

After picking up the rental car from Ataturk International Airport we drove along the western side of the Sea of Marmaris to Canakkale, where we had a surprisingly moving visit to the Gallipoli Peninsula,including Anzac Cove of course. The heat had been overpowering for cold-blooded Marie in Istanbul, but she found it even more so in Canakkale. Marie says she is now becoming more acclimatized - after 3 weeks in 33C+ temperatures!

Driving on the roads has been manageable, but arriving into the cities and towns has been hugely problematic, but made feasible by a cunning ploy; we hire a taxi to show us the way. It's worked every time bar once, when we found our worst ever hotel all by ourselves, well, almost - the Turks love to help. In Turkish of course!

Darcy is happy to have survived on-the-right Turkish driving, without major incidents (we won't mention the wing mirror Darcy) or (blowing off struck and ending up sideways on a railway line while Jillian was shrieking with laughter, Marie). He's loved seeing the natural scenery, like between Konya and Antalya. His standout memory is the War of Independence museum at Ataturk's Mausoleum in Istanbul, where he was blown away by the most lifelike dioramas, accompanied by soundtracks.

I was immensely relieved the day I first felt properly well, probably the first time for 3 months! I realized in Goreme that I actually felt pleased at last to be in Turkey, and found myself transfixed by all the fairy chimneys - if you don't know what they are, try asking auntie google. Darcy came into his own with many valleys to explore, while Marie and I looked down on the strange geological fairyland below.

Nemrut Dagi, or Mt Nemrut, was our next stupendously mind-blowing destination, with it's huge rock-hewn statues and toppled heads, surrounded by the many sounds of Babel, and the rising smog blanketed sunrise. Darcy was particularly impressed by the two functioning 2nd century Roman bridges we saw, with their efficient aesthetically pleasing design - and there was even a fortress high on the hill behind one if them - a photogrqpher's dream - not to mention the paddle in the river that had Marie's eyes sparkling.

And then to the Beehives in Harran, and Marie's opportunity to enjoy the opportunity of wedded bliss, plus 50 camels and $100,000TL. I felt in my uninvited role as chaperone, to up the ante to 3000 goats and an oil well, while Marie chipped in with flash cars. This all occurred while readying for the night on our sleeping platform under the stars, with fireworks going off, and a noisy drum and whistle wedding party roistering nearby. Meanwhile Darcy was snoring blissfully on in the Turkish beehive rug heaven. People have been intrigued by our relationships, and who belongs to who, to our amusement. We think they find it hard to believe we are just friends, and nothing further. Funny!

We travelled from beautiful Antakya, with it's wonderful St Peters Grotto, 7.5 hours on to Konya, where we were overwhelmed, dismayed and confounded by the news of the shocking earthquake back home in Christchurch. Our feelings were ambivalent, to say the least, wishing we were there with everyone, and yet still being involved in our adventures. I guess we've been a subdued bunch for the past 24 hours.

Now we're in Antalya, writing this under a spreading walnut tree, while a swimming pool beconsinvitingly from the inner courtyard. Yes it's hot again, but not the 42C we experienced in Harran; just as well, says Marie. Our collective purchased water bottles would start a recycling plant.

Just a little more traveling, to Pamukkale and Ephesus, and then in a weeks time we'll be preparing for our kayaking, and walking on the Lycian Way.

Until next time - Goodbye şimdi
Marie, Darcy and Jillian