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Published: November 25th 2007
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Relaxing...
is there any other way to do it?! Hello all,
There is so much to say about Turkey! We arrived in Tacucu from Cyprus early in the morning, and again, sleep deprived. However, this was the least of our problems as we docked and both confirmed that we did not recognize the port at all. It was certainly not the one we had left from... and we were still in the country we have no maps, local language, or information on at all.
So, being the lost tourists we are, John managed to stop and ask a girl I had had a short conversation with earlier and she confirmed that we were in Tacucu. Armed only with that bit of knowledge, well, that and the fact that locals will rip off tourists in a heart beat if you are not very careful, we walked past the hoards of taxi's beckoning to us, and started down the road, lacking any substantial plan, but knowing that our next destination was Pammukale.
To our continued luck, the girl we had spoke to on the ferry and her boyfriend pulled over when they say us lumbering along with our fifty pound packs and asked where we were going. We jumbled
Pure skill...
and this time I'm not being mean!!! about, saying bus stop or pamukale, or mercin (a transfer point en route to Pammukale) etc. Well, by that time they were quite worried that we would be thoroughly lost and they took us under their wing, cramming us and our packs in their car for the two hour drive to Mercin. They were from Mercin, and quite sure a but could take us from there.
By the time we arrived, and an awfully expensive ticket later, they insisted we go for lunch and then they would take us to the bus stop to get our ticket and if there was any time before the bus, they would show us around.
Well, we stuffed ourselves with a lovely local buffet and were unable to shell out any money to cover the costs... a first of what would continue that day. We picked up our tickets, and to their delight, we didn't leave until 11:30pm, so our day was immediately filled to the brim, starting with non-stop phone calls from Gizim's mother insisting we stop by for Turkish Tea.
After some a short local tour, and tea with mom, we were stuffed with oranges and told we were
attending a wedding that evening. And so the craziness began. We went around sightseeing and visiting their factory, as well as sampling local dishes, walking dogs, and picking up wedding attire.
Then after a short stop at the salon, John and I - feeling incredibly under dressed in our runners and slacks (nope, that is not an exaggeration... still in the clothes from the previous day before the ferry!!!) attended our first Turkish wedding and truly couldn't believe the experience.
After waiting for a bit at the reception, we were collected again for a tour of the largest mall in Turkey, more local food, and some interesting games, again, all established and funded by our wonderful hosts. After convincing their father that we really had to decline brunch, tennis, and swimming the following day, and racing for our midnight bus, we were, again, on an overnight bus. This one, though, is in the running for one of the worst overnight buses ever. The evening started with a near-riot at the bus stop (there was screaming, chanting, flags, crying, men being thrown in the air and others piggybacking to tie flags on the buses... ) we were later informed
John...
being cool! that our bus was filled with 25 year old's heading off to mandatory military service. Ironically, that was not the worst part of the fellow bus passengers... it turns out we were sold the last to seats in the very back of the bus in the row with 5 seats and the middle having nothing bus a long stretch to the window in front of it... not so conducive to bumpy rides and curling up to sleep. Now, again, irony has it that this was not the worst part of the trip. Firstly, the woman next to me had paid for one seat... but had 3 children!!! So, as the driver was shouting at me to sit in my seat (I tried to sit in another but he came to boot me off) I started shouting back, "where do you want me to sit? On top of that child? Really, where?!" So, he had me perch on the side while he fought with the woman and finally she tucked two of her children on the floor and clung to the other, herself taking up half of the second seat in sheer size, and beckoned me back.
Needless to say,
there was not much sleep to be had between the child falling asleep on me, another under my feet so I had to drape my legs over John, the lady periodically sitting on me, and to finish off the morning, one of the children severely car-sick and puking just to my left. And again I swore I would not do buses again, but despite the constant cramming in my limbs, we are booked on an overnight to Istanbul in a few short days.... hmmm, some people just never learn!
The good news is that we did make it to Pammukale, and the calcium build ups are beyond words. The thermal pools and while growth everywhere is enough to make you forget about trips there... oh, or hostels you have secured... did I mention we found a hostel for $6 a night?! Well, lets just say, you get what you pay for... and let's just leave it at that!
But, as I said, the amazing thermal pools and ancient ruins that have established this little town as a tourist trap are well worth the visit... even in winter when the thermal pools that have run down to the lower
Local images
check out the mountain in the background pools of calcium are not so warm to call you in... they will still convince those a little less light hearted to bask about in the waters and have some fun before jetting down the cliffs to a warm shower to recover.
So - the fun and surprises never end... and we are still enjoying every minute... more to come...
Trish xxx
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sunny
non-member comment
soo wicked!!!
These Pictures are amazing!!! Have i mentioned what a lucky girle you are? how much incredible karma you must have out there (re: your story of Tacucu) You must be almost home by now???? can't wait to see ya and here these stories live and fully animated!