Turkeys High Summer Bonanza!

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3 weeks in Turkey did take Bel and I through a vast amount of it's landscape. Poor Bel was very patient as my sickness continued throughout the entire trip. Traveling with a group of 15 made it extra interesting and extra fun. There were many funny moments and a relaxing cruise through the Antalya was a great way to end the 3weeks. I will never forget the temperatures as high as 44 degrees. Our little bus struggled to keep us cool but my tan was super, thank you very much! THE HEAT! THE HEAT! will never be forgotten!
My favourite memory will always be the night we spent with a local family at the end of Cappadocia. The families house was built into the side of a cave. The room was lined with turkish carpets and quirky pieces and we sat on the carpets around tables as the mother and grandmother of the family fed us home made hommus, vine leaves, stuffed peppers and yummy soup that I have no idea of the ingredients of and loads more. The uncle played traditional songs on a turkish guitar and we danced with the women who were v
One of our earlier stops was to Konya and although we disappointingly did not see any whirling dervishes we did get the chance to see the most religiously conservative city in Turkey. In the high temps I adorned long pants and head dress as we went to the Mevlana museum which holds the burial site of a famous 4th century poet. In all honesty it was hot and boring and it's moments like this that I wonder if I am becoming ungrateful about my travels. In the evening we went to a dinner theater night and watched belly dancers and ate loads of yummy food. The alcohol flowed freely and a special cocktail of vodka and cranberry juice made many's night extra special.
A highlight on this journey was our short but sweet visit to Pamukkale. The hill is covered in a white mineral that helps the sight earn its name as cotton castles. The castles contain hot springs that give off the most gorgeous aquas blue water. I spent some of the afternoon in the thermal pool. The water was perfect temp as I floated over the ancient ruins. I really loved knowing that I was participating in a spa that has been used since the second century. Taking a walk down the through the travertine I soaked my feet and enjoyed another miraculous sunset. We stayed in a hotel only meters from the edge of spa and were fed the biggest feast EVER while been entertained by some really tacky belly dancers. Gosh they were so rough and uninspiring! ha ha ha ha
I had a fascinating day at the roman city of Ephesus in Kusadasi. The Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC) i one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. What an incomprehensible sight it is. Ephesus has the most in-tack ruins I have ever seen. On the same afternoon myself and 4 others decided to visit TROY from the 3rd Century B.C. Unlike Ephesus the ruins are not well maintained and it is difficult to imagine that the area played such an interesting role in history of the ancient world. There was wooden horse but that would be the only thing in the whole museum that suggested it was the landmark or love and war.
That evening the group had night on the town to celebrate Natalie's birthday. We basically took over an irish pub in the middle of Cannakkale and Bel and I ducked out to try and grab some bargains. I have come to the realisation that there is a reason why lots of tours pitch their age group to end at around 30. At first I had become insulted and depressed about the idea of been to old to join the gang but I see now that re-telling and re-telling your longer life story over and over again along with observing the little romances that bloom behind closed doors ( although once a wonderful time in MY life) are now far behind me and my trips are more and more about educating myself, gaining experience and doing whats best for me!
In the last week Bel and I spent a week sailing on a boat from Fethiye to Olympos. I can't believe how much time I spent sleeping on the boat but I really needed the rest after all our travels. It was literally 6 days of sleeping, swimming and eating in a beautiful climate, surrounding by italic blue waters and hilly landscapes. HEAVEN ON EARTH! We took some time to jump into the water and explore ta pirate cave there is nothing like looking into water that is so clear you can see right to the bottom. By this stage I was really sick of cucumbers and tomato and it was served with every single meal but that's the only bad thing I can say about the trip. We finished out trip with a 5 star stay at a new hotel in Olympos. From sharing a bed to having our own king size each we enjoyed the pampering and the comfy bed. With that the next day I was up early to say goodbye and head to london BUT not with out the usual dramas..... my flight was delayed and I there missed my connecting. Bel and I ended meeting up again but she still got away before me. I ended up sitting in the airport for 9 hours and taking 24 hours to get home. The usual end to my holidays it was!

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