Turkey

From the Ancient Wonder of the Collosus of Rhodes to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Bodrum and The Temple of Artimis near Ephesus in Turkey one would think we should be writing a story on the mysteries, myths and legends of these historical skeletons. Well we're not 'cause we don't know a great deal!

Arrived in Turkey without a map or a travel guide but new we wanted to go to Butterfly Valley, Ephesus and Istanbul. The boat trip from Rhodes to Marmaris took less then an hour and we new we had to make some pretty quick decisions about whether to travel clockwise or anticlockwise around Turkey. A purchase of a travel book, a morning drink and a ponder of the book and we were headed on one the very and efficient and reliable bus services, to a place called Fethye - near Butterfly Valley. It didn't take us long to find a basic hotel and book a day's cruise to our destination. To get to Butterfly Valley requires entry by boat, or if much more adventurous then us, walk, climb slip, slide down very rugged gorges. It is quite a pretty place with the backdrop of these amazing mountain gorges but to our initial disappointment we only had a 40 minute stop here. However, we soon learned that unless you were a hippy and/or loved living under some very primitive coverings or were carrying your own tent then, apart from a walk to the escarpment to a trinkling waterfall and a swim, 40 mins was ample. The rest of the cruise took us to islands of ancient ruins and pristine (apart from rubbish left by tourists) islands off the south coast of Turkey to swim - sometimes in thermal streams - wander around the surrounds until the boat whistled us back on board. And so, we had done Butterfly Valley.

A detailed map in hand (George, your map of Turkey is back on Lesbos) we new that Turkey has much more to offer than the 2 weeks we had allowed so, again we made a choice to be by the seaside as much as possible so now headed clockwise. Firstly to a thriving tourist/boating harbour of Bodrum. We seem to be very attracted to places with harbours. The sailing boats here are much bigger and grander than anywhere else we have been. They were moored 2 and 3 abreast and the harbour full. This time of the year there are not nearly as many tourists and most of the boats are anchored endeavouring to get the 'odd' tourist before winter calls.

We know we are in Turkey because we are having tea instead of coffee (haven't seen hide nor hair of a Turkish Coffee yet), breakfast at our hotels consist of a pile of sweet olives, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato and a boiled egg (cooked to perfection), fresh crusty bread and tea. A pleasant change and appealing for the first couple of days! The shops are a riot of colour with many displaying garlands of red chilly, turkish carpets multiplying before our very eyes, and the drule? enducing shops full of turkish delights and pistacio baclava. Turkish baths are in every town.

Of course the food presents us with a new menu from which to choose a finely kneaded pide, doner kebabs to die for and lamb casseroles and vegetables that provide a new taste sensation.

Our onward journey took us to Selcuk (pronounced Sellchook) to visit Ephesus an incredibly beautiful ruined city built around 1000 BC.

Selcuk was also a good place to celebrate Robby's birthday Turkish style. The birthday is probably more interesting than Ephesus so let me give you details. Breakfast - vegemite and toast - a real treat after over 6 months with just a smidgen, as well as a champagne that Paul had lugged from Greece.This was followed by a 2-3 hour wander around Ephesus and a visit to a carpet factory and topped off with a Gozleme for lunch. Siesta then gave us enough energy to visit St Pauls ruined Basilica and to see the final home of the Virgin Mary. A final historic treat was visiting the one column and few marble rocks of the Temple of Artemis. All this before a Turkish Bath.

Wonder how many of you have had this experience? Just like in the story books and pictures of the old turkish baths this presented us with the magic that is Turkey. The totally marbled room was flanked by brass taps and small marble water troughs. The people sat or layed on marble in their turkish bath towels, just sweating it out and occasionally douced themselves with cooler water for relieving the intensity of the heat. This was followed by a defoliation scrub, a lather wash and then a firm massage.

We felt on top of the world and ready for birthday dinner but half-way through, we almost fell asleep in our stuffed vegetables and stew. Not even a nightcap was needed for sleeping.

So thanks to everyone who sent texts, emails and messages of good wishes. It was really appreciated at this distance.

The next day, flew from Izmir to Istanbul.

Will include pictures when on faster computer.