[Turkey]

Turkey is just fantastic! It has everything (almost) that any one could want as a travel/holiday destination. Turkey has a Mediterranean coast with gorgeous roads that hug the land as it winds along it, on one side the land falls over sheer cliffs into the deep blue and on the other is the hilly and sometimes mountainous landscape filled with natural pine forests. Turkey is steeped in history and is filled with ancient ruins, the oldest city in the world is currently being excavated near Konyan. Like the rest of the region, Turkey has a myriad of historical influences including the Greek, Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman periods. Its hot in summer, in winter one can ski. The west of Turkey feels like Europe with a mix of Islam, the east is contrastly more conservative and traditional. The people are genuinely friendly and the hassle by tourist touts is largely unknown here...and its so easy to travel, it has the most comprehensive and ultra modern buses I have ever seen, they even serve free tea/coffee/soda on the long haul trips.

Turkey has 2 geological features that is truly unique. The first is a an area called Cappadocia which is a region filled with natural rock column formations that is so phallic looking in appearance... brings a smile to most mens faces. Churches, houses, shops were built into the soft rock columns and these can still be visited. Apparently the houses in the cartoon 'Smurfs' were based on this area. The town Goreme is situated in the middle of such formations which are lit up at night, it felt like such a fairy tale that I kept expecting Snow White to trundle down the street and sell me roses at the restaurant table.

The other feature is in Pammukale, a hill that is completely white, like a snow field on a sunny day with a few black rocks jutting through. It is being created by a natural stream that is high in calcium content, it cascades down the hill into pools and more pools. A pretty site and a refreshing swim too.

My favourite place was in Olympus, a large valley surrounded by pine forests with tree hut hostels located close to the beach. It was a short walk through some ancient ruins, crossing a natural stream and I was next to the magnificent, warm blue water of the Mediterranean. There is nothing in Olympus except for the tree hut hostels which is why its so beautiful. To watch the sun set in the valley and listen to the wind whistle through the trees as the landscape cooled down after a hot day was a rejoicing moment for my soul. Many travellers can be found here chilling out in the Turkish style coach seating, perched in small erected outdoor huts.

In Bergamma I visited a Greek acropolis and amphitheatre. I was walking down the main street of the country town passing modern cars, shops banks etc when the town gave way to open land. On my right I saw several stalls of live chickens being sold…something I havent seen since southern Africa. Some of the chickens had their feet tied together, others where chained like a dog to a post while others were simply kept in small cages. A staunch smell revealed itself to be a dog eating freshly severed chicken feet and other unidentifiable bits, as the blood stained the ground, repulsive in the summer heat. Stomach churning I turned to go and at that precise moment a farmer on a real horse and cart trotted down the asphalt street as the word 'wow' passed my lips. What a contrast!

I have travelled from east Turkey (bordering with Syria) along the west coast upto Istanbul in around 4 weeks. I have flown directly to Berlin and will return to see Istanbul and Gallipoli before moving into Greece. The story continues!

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