Ok, so here it is! The long procrastinated Turkey post. 
Let me start by saying that the trip was really amazing. Turkey really is the crossroads of civilization, with an incredible amount of cultural influences converging. As I reveal the pictures, you'll notice traces of Hittite, Greek, early Christian, Ottoman, and modern European cultures are found everywhere!
I fly into Istanbul and hung out for a few days to meet some people and plot out my course for the rest of the trip. The old historical neighborhood is called Sultanamet which is where about half of all visitors stay and also contains the Blue Mosque (most famous mosque in Turkey), Hagia Sophia (beautiful old church from the 1400s, see picture below), loads of markets, shops and restaurants for all budgets. While there, I spent a lot of time talking to some Turks I met (mainly about Turkish soccer and politics), drinking (beer and Raki (licorice flavored booze)), smoking (Turkish cigs suck btw) and just walking around. The markets were amazing selling everything from spices (see pic below), antiques, rugs, leather goods, cheese, fish, etc etc. In addition, I found a great cafe that I spent a lot of time at, with live music and dervish dancing (once again see pic below) and great food, turkish coffee and hookah.
My next stop was a region called Cappadocia, which is famous for it's eroded rock formations (most of the hotels and dwellings are carved into the side of mountains). There was a lot of great hiking here and I spent time with some really cool Canadian and Mexican fellow travelers checking out the sites. Below you'll find pics of a) an underground Hittite city we explored (they used to stuff like 5,000 people down there for 6 months at a time to resist invaders), b) natural mushroom (or penis depending on your perspective)-shaped rock formations and c) some early Christian cave paintings from about 200-300 AD.
After Cappadocia, I took the bus down to the Southern coast of Turkey. I stopped in Olympus where I stayed in a "treehouse" (crappy cabin on stilts) and saw the Eternal Flame (some cracks in a mountainside that ooze methane gas and are always on fire). From there I hopped on a boat (see pic below) and took a cruise for 4 days. It was so relaxing and amazingly cheap. The weather was really rainy (which it virtually never is), but the water was warm for swimming. There were only 5 passengers on this huge boat (which can hold 21), and I really got along well with the other travelers and the crew. We did some fishing, snorkel, hiking around Lycian ruins, and relaxing. Even when a storm rolled in (see pic) we were cozy and well fed. I would do this again in a minute.
On the way back to Istanbul, I visited several ancient Greek ruins (this was part of ancient Greece called Thrace). I got to see some natural hot springs (see pic below of calcium coated natural pools) and the best preserved ancient city of Ephesus (see below pic of the Celsus library and the 25,000 person amphitheater)
I had a great time, and loads of varying experiences. Feel free to ask me any questions since I love to talk about my travels.
Off to Florida for a long weekend. Everyone take care and I'll be back soon.
Let me start by saying that the trip was really amazing. Turkey really is the crossroads of civilization, with an incredible amount of cultural influences converging. As I reveal the pictures, you'll notice traces of Hittite, Greek, early Christian, Ottoman, and modern European cultures are found everywhere!
I fly into Istanbul and hung out for a few days to meet some people and plot out my course for the rest of the trip. The old historical neighborhood is called Sultanamet which is where about half of all visitors stay and also contains the Blue Mosque (most famous mosque in Turkey), Hagia Sophia (beautiful old church from the 1400s, see picture below), loads of markets, shops and restaurants for all budgets. While there, I spent a lot of time talking to some Turks I met (mainly about Turkish soccer and politics), drinking (beer and Raki (licorice flavored booze)), smoking (Turkish cigs suck btw) and just walking around. The markets were amazing selling everything from spices (see pic below), antiques, rugs, leather goods, cheese, fish, etc etc. In addition, I found a great cafe that I spent a lot of time at, with live music and dervish dancing (once again see pic below) and great food, turkish coffee and hookah.
My next stop was a region called Cappadocia, which is famous for it's eroded rock formations (most of the hotels and dwellings are carved into the side of mountains). There was a lot of great hiking here and I spent time with some really cool Canadian and Mexican fellow travelers checking out the sites. Below you'll find pics of a) an underground Hittite city we explored (they used to stuff like 5,000 people down there for 6 months at a time to resist invaders), b) natural mushroom (or penis depending on your perspective)-shaped rock formations and c) some early Christian cave paintings from about 200-300 AD.
After Cappadocia, I took the bus down to the Southern coast of Turkey. I stopped in Olympus where I stayed in a "treehouse" (crappy cabin on stilts) and saw the Eternal Flame (some cracks in a mountainside that ooze methane gas and are always on fire). From there I hopped on a boat (see pic below) and took a cruise for 4 days. It was so relaxing and amazingly cheap. The weather was really rainy (which it virtually never is), but the water was warm for swimming. There were only 5 passengers on this huge boat (which can hold 21), and I really got along well with the other travelers and the crew. We did some fishing, snorkel, hiking around Lycian ruins, and relaxing. Even when a storm rolled in (see pic) we were cozy and well fed. I would do this again in a minute.
On the way back to Istanbul, I visited several ancient Greek ruins (this was part of ancient Greece called Thrace). I got to see some natural hot springs (see pic below of calcium coated natural pools) and the best preserved ancient city of Ephesus (see below pic of the Celsus library and the 25,000 person amphitheater)
I had a great time, and loads of varying experiences. Feel free to ask me any questions since I love to talk about my travels.
Off to Florida for a long weekend. Everyone take care and I'll be back soon.
VIEW 25 of 46 COMMENTS
emilygee:
Thanks for the kind comment -- it's much appreciated. Here's hoping something can be worked out, or alternatively, I'm able to move on fairly quickly.
apexxx:
aight beotch, i aint not gonna comment again until you updates! 