Subject: Just back from Turkey


Back from our 16 day vacation in Turkey.  Many thanks to all of you who sent
recommendations on what to see and do!  Bottom line -- we LOVED it!  We loved
the people, the food, the scenery, the water, the ambience -- even the carpet
salesmen!  Wouldn't have changed the itinerary -- unless we could have added to
it!

One day we'll get around to a more complete write up but for now -- a few
enthusiasms.

     *  Antalya was a great place to start.  We stayed within view of the
        marina in the old town.  Discovered the joys of meze and that wonderful
        sesame "roll" called a semit.
     *  Rented cars -- great thing to do!  No problem driving!
     *  Next stop was Kas -- did the obligatory boat ride to Kekova -- really
        worth it!  Loved the food, ambience, service and attention at the
        Mercan -- restaurant right on the waterfront!  Discovered buglama
        and yogurt with honey!  The grilled squid was excellent, too!
        (And fresh swordfish!)
     *  On to Bodrum -- never saw such fabulous wooden boats and clear
        waters.  Amphora was our favorite restaurant there.  They encouraged
        one member of our party of four [my husband] to try EVERY meze for
        a very reasonable fixed price -- one happy man!
     *  Detoured inland to Pammukale [stopping to buy honey on the road to
        Mugla and fresh yogurt at the Saturday market in Kale.  We were
        definitely the only Americans in town at the latter and everyone
        wanted to be friendly and helpful!] (English is a second language)
     *  Stayed on the hill in Pammukale -- view and travertines incredible --
        as was the swimming outside of our room. (Rooms down town were $12 per
        night for two nights!)  But the ruins of Hierapolis were also awesome.
        Wish I had paid for a camel ride!
     *  On to Kusadasi -- stopping at the market in Nazilli for more fresh
        yogurt, cheese and ekmek -- not to mention those fab semits and
        some honey glazed something.  We had great picnics!
     *  Took some doing but finally found the Hotel Stella in Kusadasi --
        room with a balcony overlooking all the goings-on in the harbor.
        (and they sold rugs!) Who could ask for better!  Went to Ephesus,
        of course (great guide, the merchant of Ephesus), and the
        museum and basilica in Selcuk.  Had a wonderful lunch at Secil in
        Selcuk.  Such friendly people -- such great food! (and friendly cats)
     *  Tore ourselves away from the delights of Kusadasi as we had
        reservations in Istanbul the next day -- detoured to see Pergamum.
        While eating our usual picnic (in the park at Bergama this time)
        met who should surely become a future mayor of Bergama, if not PM of
        Turkey -- a charming young 13 year old boy by the name of Faid.  Wish
        we had taken his picture to send him (he gave us a present of a puzzle
        for our grandchildren!  Wish we had been awake enough to get his name.
        the children everywhere came up to say "hello").
     *  Late leaving Bergama but persisted on to Assos -- arriving at 9 PM.
        Agreed -- not everyone had their headlights on.  Assos was surely
        a charming place and we loved hearing the waves crash through
        the night (and the boats starting up at the crack of dawn).
     *  So we crossed the Dardanelles at Canukkale -- and barreled on to
        Istanbul -- and in a city of almost 12 million, had little trouble
        driving right to our hotel in Sultanahmet -- across from the
        Hippodrome -- the Alzer.  It was/is a great place to stay.  In
        the midst of everything -- and such friendly, warm service!  Nice
        rooms, great views and plenty of lovely hot water.  Our cars were
        returned to the airport and the hotel happily fed us at 10:00 PM.
     *  Too much to say about Istanbul --  it was wonderful.  We are
        so glad we stayed in Sultanahmet!  All our meals were memorable --
        but the night in Kumpaki was probably the most memorable -- just for
        sights and sounds.  The skyline of Istanbul as one crosses the Galata
        Bridge -- the emeralds (and diamonds) in Topkapi -- the wonderful,
        beautiful mosques (need to go to Edirne now) -- a ride on the
        Bosphorus (complete with Kanlica yogurt) -- the splendors of
        Dolmabahce -- the displays at the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
        -- and all the sights and sounds of the Covered Market and the
        Egyptian Spice Market (not to mention the rugs).  Just began to
        scratch the surface!

So who are we -- two couples in their mid to late 50's who love to travel!  We
don't do tours (yet) and we prefer small hotels with some local flavor!

The four of us agree that Turkey must be one of the best kept tourist
destination secrets in the United States.  Clearly the Germans and British have
discovered the wonders of it all!

Off to read books about Ataturk and the Ottomans -- and learn how to make REAL
yogurt.  We shall return -- one bottle of raki won't last forever.

Sally and Bill Light


          

Date: 19 May 1995 22:02:05 GMT
From: Bill Light 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.turkish, rec.travel.europe