The Turkey Leg

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Weight Loss, Without Dieting

Huge thanks to everyone for all the comments and messages on our last blogs... So far we've travelled 75hrs by train and 30 by bus, and confess it all feels more like a holiday than travelling (whatever that is). We promise our next blog will have a map showing our proposed route, but its a little up in the air until we get our heads around what China is doing with the new limits on their tourist visa.

Back to comments received; an especial thanks to the girls for the encouragement on the size of my bag - for that I love you all; but I've reached an age when size no longer matters and sadly, big drawers are now a matter of necessity.

However, the weight of my bag's a problem. I left home with a very, very heavy bag including both my travel hairdryer and my cherished travel kettle. (yes, yes I know). Following much deliberation, I admitted defeat and relinquished the hairdryer. (Future photos of me will probably all involve a hat in order to mask the combined effect of loss of hairdryer and of my having trimmed my own fringe.) Blow me two days later the kettle ceased working and is now in an Istanbul bin.

Its warm now so we've also donated our thicker clothes and as the bags no longer house a small electrical department (except for essentials including laptop, electric toothbrush and MP3 player) they are lighter but remain stuffed full of boring but sensible stuff like sleeping bag, mosquito net, towel etc and a few items of clothing. (Thanks to Mark for offering really good advice - ie " to take half the stuff we thought we'd need and twice the amount of money" So good to get advice a week after the event!)

Turkish Delight

We've spent two weeks travelling around Turkey, which has proved to be even better than expected. Its so European but yet so not. A happy mix of religions and cultures and even the call to prayer at 5.30am is no where near as bad as it sounds. Food is amazing (except for the coffee; I really miss my kettle), the people are friendly and helpful and the weather glorious. We're just so sorry to hear about the delayed arrival of spring in Blighty.

Istanbul:

The city lived up to every expectation.... The Blue Mosque, the Bosphoros and Grand Bazaar all stand out in our memories. It even proved easy to pick up our travel Visas at the Iranian and Uzbekistan Consulates; but that's probably down to the initial preparations before we left home.

Travel around Turkey is really easy on modern (and some not so modern buses) which have taken us to :

Gallipoli Battlefields:

Aside from the many and appropriate memorial sites, the beautiful peninsula now completely masks the 8 months of gruesome hardship and heart wrenching waste of young life. 25th of April is ANZAC day, but we're not feeling too "Brit Bashed" by the many antipodean travellers/pilgrims.

Troy

I still can't believe I've been to the site of legendary Troy and touched the very walls defended for so long. We were really lucky in our guide, Mustafa Askin .

Selcuk - Ephesus and Temple of Artemis

The last in our initial burst of "battlefields and ruins". Ephesus was as stunning as imagined but believing that the Temple of Artemis was one of the 7 wonders was a big ask, as all that remains is a large hole in the ground and a single forlorn column.

The temperature shot up the next day which left us happy to dash off to the Hot Springs at Pamukkale and then down to Fetihye on the Turquoise Coast for some sun, sand and relaxation.


Hope you enjoy the blog and the photos - each time we take a bad one we think "Well perhaps Pete can photoshop out that wire/post/person" Pete's going to be very busy!

We've worked out how to send you an email alert each time we poost a blog, so remember to send us your messages.

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Photos

Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Inside the Mosque

A Dervish Whirl
The sect use trance and movement to create a spiritual connection with God. The hour long ceremony was intriguing and we came away impressed by the dignity of it.

Anzac Cove
Massive loss of life was also suffered by the Turks, greater number of deaths than amoungst the allies, with just about every Turkish family being affected. Whilst the campaign saw a downturn in Churchill's fortunes it was the coming of age of a young Turkish Lieutenant Colonel who would in later years lead the Turkish republic and take the title Attaturk.

Trojan Horse?
I know, I know... the film was worse than terrible and I don't even believe that there was a horse. But whilst the Troy site visit was captivating it wasn't really photogenic.

Celsus Library - Ephesus
The site is spectacular - but it was a little dis-appointing to realise that this facade was only reconstructed in the 1970's

Communal Contemplation
"Of all the toilets in all the world"... I wonder how often this photo has been taken in Ephesus. For me a cool marble seat on a very hot day was welcome but all the same.. Thanks Terry!

Travertine Terraces
The site was massive and a really good afternnon spent wandering around. Its no longer poossible to bathe in the Travertines; so still missing the Hot Tub. We can feel your sympathy from here!

Comments

[Sharon & Danny]

We found you!!
Hi Christine and Terry, It was great to meet you at Bayrams. It would have been great to talk to you longer and share more stories. We wish you heaps of fun on your trip and will be following your blog. You never know we may even meet up with you one day. Our site is getjealous.com/dannyandsharon and email is [e-mail]. Happy travelling and hope you continue to enjoy the forward journey, even without your kettle!!. Danny and Sharon

[Bryan Heap]

How exciting!
Great to catch up with your blog. We know all about Turkey legs here in Norfolk! Hope you're keeping up with the history of medicine!? Aretaeus of Cappodecia (circa120AD) was one of the first to give an acute clinical description of diabetes - "a melting of flesh and limbs into urine" - a description that holds today! What about Heraclitis of Ephesus (circa 540 - 480 BC) who had general oedema and impaired vision. Treated himself with cow dung and baked himself in the sun! He's dead of course! And then the top shelf/under the counter stuff Priapis of Ephesus. Enough said! Happy travels! Best regards.

[Irene Warren]

Wot No Kettle
Even I could do without the hairdryer (sorry Lorraine I know the thought appals you) but the kettle!!!?? However I am sure there are so many other delights to try as you head east. James flys down to Rio today having spent 2 weeks in North America so you will all be in my thoughts. I could get him to send you one of those Peruvian hats I think they cover up all! Stay safe and keep the bloggs coming. You are visiting places I am not brave enough to even think of travelling to. JUST ENJOY

[charuavi]

Hi from Charuavi
Dear Christine and Terry, It was nice meeting you on the Gallipoli Tour, and yes, the rest of our tour was fine, even though I was highly upset by the non-appearance of our tour representative that night in Selcuk. I have yet to write about our Turkey travel, because I write more like an 'Article on Turkey' rather than a travel note, and I need to settle down to do that. However, I will be reading about your 2-year travels as you go along and post comments on them. Do keep in touch and take care. (even without the kettle) Bye. Charuavi

[roxy]

Turkey leg - and the rest
Finally made it on to the site. Wow! As a sad old luddite I have never gone visiting blogs, so have no idea how yours compares, but I like it a lot! How on earth do you find the time to do all this while you are travelling around? Keep it up - makes me feel I'm not tied to the desk but off doing something exciting too....

[lorraine]

Bad hair day!
Christine fear not you don't need the old hair dryer! Yes, I know you thought you'd never hear me say this.... but try twisting your hair in small sections at a time ans then let it dry naturally. It really works lovely soft curls... how do I know this... remember my power cut! Great to see you both enjoying yourselves. Keep well Lorraine

[Lani]

Merhaba Chr1st1ne and Terry
It was a pleasure meeti1ng you both, at Güven Cave Hotel, and I hope you are enjoy1ng your time in Iran ;)