Turkey - en route

Hello.... I think a I'd do a post with special dedication to Calypso, our beloved truck-cum-bus, our dependency, Odysseus' mistress, etc. Oh... what can't you do for us?

Found a lovely spot for bush camp - right by the new reservoir not far up the mountain from Zara. The ground looked firm enough, but once Calypso broke through the crust on top, it just sunk into the uncompressed construction mud. The dam/reservoir is still under construction.

Meantime, Calypso appeared to be sinking deeper into the uncompressed mud below the thin crust which fooled us. We have very good crew and fellow travellers. We heaved, pushed, dug and caressed Calypso to encourage her to give us the impossible - to float out of the quagmire.

Robin managed to "converse" with a local farmer and help was on the way.

The large front-end loader did come to the rescue and got her back onto reasonable firm grounds again.

I know this is supposed to be dedicated to Calypso and her tenacity, but I will just mention the camping spot. One would not want to go pass this lovely spot with a view of the lake and snow covered hills in the distance. Beautiful reflection in the morning.

Be aware, to follow the story logically, the photos should be viewed in reversed order.

Turkey - Cappadocia

We (LH and I) started early next morning 5th May and walked down the Meskendir Valley which starts from behind the Kaya camp site where we stayed. At this early hours, we had the whole valley to ourselves, barring a couple of fruit sellers.

The pictures tell the story. It was simply amazing. The pinnicles at times looked unreal. We later found out this walk is known as Meskendir Valley and unbeknown to us, this valley walk is actually featured in travel books.

Our valley walk finished at Cavusin vallage. The old settlement (in ruins) up the hill behind the new Cavusin village is certainly worth visiting. The church within the collapsed hill side still have corinthian pillars in them. The fescoes, however, were basically damaged by vendals. The frescoes at the upper reaches were still in reasonably good shape.


The picture which shows many pots on a tree may not be unusual, but the background was the open-air museum where an entrance fee is required to enter. If one was prepared to walk, one could see better examples elsewhere in the other valleys.

Turkey - Cappodocia

Went on a day-trip, organised by Odyssey.

First vist was Kaymakli - the underground city. It was an underground defence system.

Then we went to the highest point in the area - Uchisar. One could get a grand view of the rigion: The guide pointed out the 6 or 7 different valleys within sight.

The tour also involved visiting an existing Fairy Chimney house (as these dwellings are known as).

Next stop was a porcelain factory at Avanos. It was the very same factory we visited some thirteen years ago. Uncle Harry bought us one of the expensive hand painted plates which we still have hung at home.

Also visited Pasabag where you can see the ruins of the underground churches. Picture shows Le climbing into the "hole" which is the access between the two floors.

The last stop of the day was the Monastery ruins (World heritage site) at Zelve. AiLe tea store outside the entrance to the Monastery Ruins.

On the way back we stopped by the "Valley of imagination" - see the dog's head, Napolean's hat, some other one - use your imagination.

Turkey

It's a dog's life. Really? No, we are really enjoying this trip. We are meeting people - very friendly locals - and very hospitable. We have been invited to have Turkish tea just about everywhere we went in this little town, Akcakoca.

Akcakoca is a town on the Black Sea coast. From the amount of new apartments, it would seem that this town has a bit of growth lately, but like most other places, it is also suffering from the economic downturn.

Local fishing boats. They fish in the Black Sea and there are plenty of fish mongers in town. The fish are really fresh - no fear of chemicals use to keep them looking fresh as in other places.


A view of the camp site Tezel. All tents in view are ours. The calm Black Sea in the background.

Couldn't resist taking this picture of an old BMW motorbike. Dale Watkinson, you will be interested in this one.

Picture of the fish shop and the staff. Ahmet (middle) is not part of the establishment. He was at the road side and offered to help. He told us about the various local fish - which from Black Sea and which from Mamara Sea. He spoke very good English, helped us to buy a fish (we settled on a Black Sea salmon, 10TL/kg), help us talking to the restaurant to cook our fish, help with money changer, etc - with no expectations. Just another example of local hospitality. Other picture shows one of the steam salmon dish from the fish we bought.

More hospitality for the locals. Example: the following 3 pictures at three locations, we were served tea (in a shop, a road tea house and at the Cliff Cafe). We were walking along the street, these local called us over and got us low seats. Other, was sitting at the cliff "wagon chair" the proprietor just came over with tea.

More picture of local fishing boats.

We walked up the hill opposite the camp, saw a farming family and once again invited in for tea. We could not communicate, but that didn't matter. There were just friendly people.

The follow pictures of houses are taken from the hill opposite the camp. They are basically wooden framed house with bricks filling in the wall. Very unusual to see so many such houses. Houses of the whole village were constructed the same way. Looking through the gap between houses, the view of the Black Sea.


Just a relaxing day at camp over looking the Black Sea (in the background)