For our English-speaking friends - From Istanbul to Cappadocia

Turkish Hospitalty

Wherever we go, people welcome us : "Hos geldiniz! Welcome to Turkey!" and are very helpful. One night a man jumped into his car and led us to the right road. Or we get an invitation for a glass of tea. Thanks to Elmar's name (elma = apple) we got offered apples several times.



Pamukkale

A picturesque small road takes us the 550 km to Pamukkale, 150 km east from Izmir. We stay in a cosy little family run hotel (Hotel Pamukkale). The next day we visit the terrasses that have been built by warm water rich on calcium. When running down the rocks, the water cools down and leaves the calcium behind. It looks like a huge cotton carpet. We come back at night to take some fantastic pictures in the evening light.



Efes (Ephesos)

We visit the ruins and enjoy a lazy afternoon at the beach.


Bodrum

We come here for the famous Museum for Underwater Archaeology, but we get disappointed. What's even worse is the fact, that we stay close to the beach where they play Technomusic all night....


Oeludeniz

Pleasently located between a lagoon and pinewoodened mountains but too many tourists and unbearable heat. Nice though was our walk along the Lycia Trail and the lunch in a small Turkish restaurant. The trout we ordered was caught anf prepared right in front of our noses !


Saklikent

Here we enjoy a fantastic long walk through a dry gorge.



Olympos

Some spectacular views along the coast but hundreds of glasshouses along the road, too. Horrible! Here are the fruits and vegetables being produced that we buy and consume in winter. We'd better start thinking about that...

We stay in an awsome valley. The hotels are camps, offering treehouses and bungalows. The food is fantastic! The trail leading to the beach leeds you through the ruins of the antique town. We enjoy some lazy hours sunbathing and go for a nightwalk to see the famous fires of Chimeira.


Anamur

We help baby turtles find their way to the water, climb the ruins of an old castle and enjoy the taste of Anamur Bananas.


Cappadocia

This famous and bizarre landscape - time and weather carved these chimneys of sandstone - is our home for nearly a week. We walk along the valleys, climb into caves used as churches or houses by early Christians and look up at what seems to be hundreds of balloons when we get up in the mornings. At the campsite we get to know other travellers from all over the world. We cook and eat together, talk and laugh, play silly games and - one night- drink too much. It's been really nice meeting you guys!!! Have a save trip and we're looking forward to reading about your adventures - either on the road or back home, setting up a new life.