|
|
Places we visited: Istanbul, Lycian Way (Alinca, Faralya, Ovacik), Cappadocia
Length of stay: 19 days
High point: Experiencing the worship service of a dervish community, eating incredible organic meals from Bayram's House in Alinca, amazing views along the Lycian Way, the relaxed vibe of Istanbul's Kadikoy district
Low Point: We can't recall any!
Local food/flavor: Turkish breakfast (cucumbers, tomatoes, boiled egg, cheese, bread & jam), Doner Kebabs, Pides (Turkish Pizza), Turkish Cay (Tea), Simit
Language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish Lira
Unique Sights: Whirling Dervishes, the abundance of backgammon played, interior of a mosque, all the ways that eastern and western civilization meet in Istanbul
Purchases: None
Things we did:
- Visited numerous mosques including the famous Blue Mosque
- Toured the Aya Sofya which was originally a church, then a mosque, and
is now a museum
- Checked out the palatial digs of the Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace
- Wandered through all the bazaars including the grand bazaar and spice
bazaar.
- Enjoyed a refreshing afternoon at the Cagaloglu Hammam
- Soaked up the energy of Istanbul's youth on Istiklal Caddesi
- Attended a Sema ceremony to see the Whirling Dervishes
- Visited the distinct neighborhoods of Istanbul including Kadikoy and
Ortakoy
- Admired Istanbul from a ferry on the Bosphorus
- Trekked three sections of the Lycian Way
- Enjoyed amazing hospitality from locals in Alinca and Faralya
- Admired the beautiful scenery along the trek including the beaches at
Kabak, Faralya, and Oludeniz
- Stayed in a Cave Hotel in the village of Goreme
- Toured the underground city of Derinkuyu
- Walked through the John the Baptist Church in Cavusin
- Visited the Goreme Open Air Museum to see cave churches with ancient
frescoes
- Marveled at the unique and odd landscape throughout Cappadocia
including fairy chimneys, pigeon valley, and abandoned cave dwellings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|