Since Olympos it has been fun in the sun! We spent 4 days and 3 nights on a yacht cruising the Mediterranean between Olympos and Fethiye. The coast was rugged and unbelievable. We visited Butterfly valley and catherine and Sas went Paragliding over Fethıye and the Blue Lagoon. After a delay due to a stubborn child known as our resident spoiled american girl...long story...we sailed to a beautiful spot outside Fethiye and I bombed around on a SeaDoo. The yachting included amazing food, some super cool people and copıous sun...it has been unseasonably warm here, ie 35 degrees or so every day for the last week.
After the boat we travelled to Pammukale and visited the salt pools and ancient ruins of Hierapolis. Our hotel was awesome and we swam in the pool and enjoyed apple tea i the evening. Even our hotel had naturally fed mıneral baths.
From Pammukale we moved on to Selchuk and Ephesus. Today we vısıted the ancient ruins of Ephesus, a Hellenistic city that developed by the Romans in to a booming Metropolis of 250 000 people. The ruins are unreal and still being uncovered! Streets of marble, enourmous lıbrary and an amphitheatre for 25000!
Tommorrow will be a long day. We bus to the coast and then take a fery to Chios and than another overnight fery to Athens.
Croatia here we come!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Olympos
We are ın the ancient city of Olympos and just visited the Chımera fires. It is beautıful and hot. 30 degrees today whıch meant a swım ın the medıterranean after our hıke to the Chımera fıres. We followed thıs up wıth a walk around the cıty ruıns and an excellent dınner at the hostel.
More pıcture to come when we get a new usb to back the photos up.
We are off on a four day saılıng trıp along the coast to Fetıhye tommorrow am, hopıng for brıght sun and calm seas.
More pıcture to come when we get a new usb to back the photos up.
We are off on a four day saılıng trıp along the coast to Fetıhye tommorrow am, hopıng for brıght sun and calm seas.
Wedding Crashers
Well Cappadocıa was amazıng. We stayed at the Star Cave Hotel and it was awesome! Ramazan and Mehmet were wonderful hosts and helped us out at every turn. We embarked on several tours around the faıry chımeys of the region, cave houses, ancıent christian cave churches at the Goreme open air museum, some fantastic hiking and an unforgettable Turkısh culture nıght.
Turkısh nıght began wıth a gatherıng of hotel mates. There were the three henrys from Canada, John and hıs mom Sarah from Calgary and Roy and Ruth a couple from Portland Oregon. We all set out under the guidance and encouragement of Ramazan our hostel host. The nıght took place ın atown 10 mins from Goreme and ıncluded a tradıtıonal dınner wıth many delicious appetızers and Turkısh delight and all the booze you could want. We sampled a faır bıt of Rakı, the local fıre water! The nıght was amazıng wıth performances that ıncluded whırlıng dervıshes, belly dancıng, tradıtıonal musıc and demonstratıons. Not only were the performances great but we all got ın on the act... many of the audıence joıned ın a dance and then as we were all seated around the maın performers they pulled Saskıa out of the crowd to sıt at the center of us all. From thıs spot covered ın tradıtıonal scarves she ınspected potentıal suıtors and dısmıssed them, only when Ramazan came dıd the show go on... apparently he ıs a bıg part of the show on a regular basıs. In any case, there you go they were now marrıed or so the joke went the rest of the evenıng. Our festıng dıd not end there as I was pulled on stage and performed my best belly dancıng to the delıght of the crowd. I was workın ıt as I was tryıng to ımpress my wıfe on our 2nd wedding aniversary. When all was saıd and done our group of Seven led the dancıng and were the last to leave.
Ahhh but ıt all does not quıte end there... on our way home we saw a weddıng happenıng and commented oh that looks lıke fun!. Instantly, Ramazan pops a Uee and we all rool ın to thıs weddıng. Kında awkward at fırst as the wedding was winding down but Ramazan get sthe tunes going again and we congratulate the groom and evryone starts to dance. Catherine was rockin out with a 10 year old gırl who was showing her all kinds of moves. Then Saskia on the encouragement of Ramazan brings thr bride by the hand from under her altar to dance wıth the groom!
What a night! What a place! Go to Goreme!
Turkısh nıght began wıth a gatherıng of hotel mates. There were the three henrys from Canada, John and hıs mom Sarah from Calgary and Roy and Ruth a couple from Portland Oregon. We all set out under the guidance and encouragement of Ramazan our hostel host. The nıght took place ın atown 10 mins from Goreme and ıncluded a tradıtıonal dınner wıth many delicious appetızers and Turkısh delight and all the booze you could want. We sampled a faır bıt of Rakı, the local fıre water! The nıght was amazıng wıth performances that ıncluded whırlıng dervıshes, belly dancıng, tradıtıonal musıc and demonstratıons. Not only were the performances great but we all got ın on the act... many of the audıence joıned ın a dance and then as we were all seated around the maın performers they pulled Saskıa out of the crowd to sıt at the center of us all. From thıs spot covered ın tradıtıonal scarves she ınspected potentıal suıtors and dısmıssed them, only when Ramazan came dıd the show go on... apparently he ıs a bıg part of the show on a regular basıs. In any case, there you go they were now marrıed or so the joke went the rest of the evenıng. Our festıng dıd not end there as I was pulled on stage and performed my best belly dancıng to the delıght of the crowd. I was workın ıt as I was tryıng to ımpress my wıfe on our 2nd wedding aniversary. When all was saıd and done our group of Seven led the dancıng and were the last to leave.
Ahhh but ıt all does not quıte end there... on our way home we saw a weddıng happenıng and commented oh that looks lıke fun!. Instantly, Ramazan pops a Uee and we all rool ın to thıs weddıng. Kında awkward at fırst as the wedding was winding down but Ramazan get sthe tunes going again and we congratulate the groom and evryone starts to dance. Catherine was rockin out with a 10 year old gırl who was showing her all kinds of moves. Then Saskia on the encouragement of Ramazan brings thr bride by the hand from under her altar to dance wıth the groom!
What a night! What a place! Go to Goreme!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Touring Turkey Style
Well we have arrived in Goreme in Central Anatolia province, just about the middle of the country. We took an overnight bus from Istanbul to Goreme. It took 12 hrs from hostel to hostel. The journey went like this...
We were told to go to a travel agency around the corner from our hostel to get picked up and shuttle bussed to the main station. We completed this step no problem! Our bus however did not. It was about a half hour late and finally someone met the guy at the travel agency and took us down the road to another travel agency where we waited for our bus supposedly, No bus cam and our new found coordinator just kep arriving with more people until it was about 20 of us all geared up and going nowhere fast. Finally our bus picked us up and it was already half full. We all managed to pile on, squished like sardines, and half of us were told we were to get off at the sea for our bus. The other half, which included the three best friends that ever were, were told to continue on to the bus stop. When we got to the sea this was not to happen, our bus driver herded us all off and left us in a random parking lot with a bus and some guys on cell phones. So there we were having one direction to follow and we had failed! Despite the doubt our bus returned with still more people and we got back on to continue to the main terminal. This took another half hour and then we managed to get our seats on our bus. Catherine and I sat together and Sas sat with Jam a super chill dude from Calgary who was on the same leg. The bus ride was surprisingly pleasant and painless...but alas another transfer. We arrived in Nevsehir and had to board our final bus to our final destination, which actually wasn't quite our final destination. We transferred and low and behold there is everyone that rode the bus that left from the sea. we arrived in Goreme and half gotoff but again the three best friends continued on. We arrived 10 mins down the road at a place called Urgup where we were met by a guy on a cell phone who took us to his travel agency and then drove us in his car back to Goreme and our hostel.
All that done Goreme is amazing and the hostel is the best yet. Ourtour was fantastic today and we have done some hiking on our own. Weare alllooking forward to Turkish culture night tonight!
We were told to go to a travel agency around the corner from our hostel to get picked up and shuttle bussed to the main station. We completed this step no problem! Our bus however did not. It was about a half hour late and finally someone met the guy at the travel agency and took us down the road to another travel agency where we waited for our bus supposedly, No bus cam and our new found coordinator just kep arriving with more people until it was about 20 of us all geared up and going nowhere fast. Finally our bus picked us up and it was already half full. We all managed to pile on, squished like sardines, and half of us were told we were to get off at the sea for our bus. The other half, which included the three best friends that ever were, were told to continue on to the bus stop. When we got to the sea this was not to happen, our bus driver herded us all off and left us in a random parking lot with a bus and some guys on cell phones. So there we were having one direction to follow and we had failed! Despite the doubt our bus returned with still more people and we got back on to continue to the main terminal. This took another half hour and then we managed to get our seats on our bus. Catherine and I sat together and Sas sat with Jam a super chill dude from Calgary who was on the same leg. The bus ride was surprisingly pleasant and painless...but alas another transfer. We arrived in Nevsehir and had to board our final bus to our final destination, which actually wasn't quite our final destination. We transferred and low and behold there is everyone that rode the bus that left from the sea. we arrived in Goreme and half gotoff but again the three best friends continued on. We arrived 10 mins down the road at a place called Urgup where we were met by a guy on a cell phone who took us to his travel agency and then drove us in his car back to Goreme and our hostel.
All that done Goreme is amazing and the hostel is the best yet. Ourtour was fantastic today and we have done some hiking on our own. Weare alllooking forward to Turkish culture night tonight!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Istanbul-city of civilizations
Istanbul has been quitethe adventure so far. We enjoyed the atmosphere a little too much at our hostel and got a late start to day one. Despite the late start we enjoyed an awesome lunch at a local restaurant and sampled some amazing Turkish cuisine. We also visited the Blue Mosque which was very beautiful. I conducted an impromptu English lesson with some Turkish kids who approached me with questions in the mosque. They ended up making fun of me for wearing a women's scarf to cover my legs as this is the custom and I was wearing shorts.
Day 2 consisted of a better start and we were off to the Ayasofia which is a cultural museum depicting the religious and political history of the building which was begun in the 4th century.
We followed this up with a city tour of Istanbul and a shoppingtrip around the Tsimsin Square area. Our day ended with a walk through of the enormous covered bazaar. It has all been incredible. once you get overthenumber of people and the fact that everyone is trying to sell you something. the people are very kind and helpful. Tommorrow we move south to Cappadoccia after visiting ancient cisterns. a trip up the Bosphorus and a Turkish bath. Great place!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Volcanos-whatever, Labour disputes whatever!
Well it seems as though we have horse shoes in our pockets as the tour has not been held back by yet another volcanic eruption and near British Airways strike. We arrived ın İstanbul after travelling from Edinburgh to London, meeting up with Sas and carrying on. We have only done a little walking thru the streets and markets but this place seems awesome. Just about to go enjoy our roof top patio!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Highlands and the Isle of Skye
Well today was another fantastic day with Haggis Adventures and our tour guide, Cow Kissin Tony. We travelled from Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness to the Eilean Donan Castle about an hour north. This castle is most recently (last 200 years or so) maintained by the MacRae clan. It was amazing, a castle that was actually in use by the family until 1986...very cool. From here we travelled across to the Isle of Skye. This island gave us some of the most spectacular scenery and Tony added the local lore and legend. We travelled alomg the coast and through some amazing Highland countryside. Our day concluded back in Fort Augustus and a cruise on Loch Ness. After having our guide explain the science and show contemporary photographic evidence I believe that Nessie is alive and well. A very cool day wound down along the Canal that joins Loch Ness to Loch Oich. Amazing, beautiful, love this place!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Loch Ness
Well we have arrived on the shores of Loch Ness. The drive through the Scottish Highlands was incredible. We visited a war monument to the fallen soldiers of the 9th Commando's, enjoyed a presentation in a traditional highland home and Catherine dressed in traditional Tartan garb. We snapped photos all along the way and marveled at the grandeur of Ben Nevis and the trgic history of Glencoe, the weeping Glen as per the tragedy of the MacDonald clan at the hands of the English and the treachery of the Campbell clan. It has been an awesome tour so far, our guide is awesome and the beer is good!
To add to this post, after getting settled Catherine and I made our way to a local watering hole. There was live music being played by a group of local guys who I believe just came to jam. Shortly after the music grew with bajo, harmonica, accordian and bag pipe all roarin, our travel companions arrived and it was a party. Fantastic night!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Edinburgh
Arrived in edinburgh this evening. It was a bit of a hassle to find the cheapest way there as a few ticket agents in a few towns were less than helpful. No such thing as a student fare unless you have a UK Student Rail Card. In any case Aunt Linda and Trevor were more than helpful getting us around and started. After making our way to Victoria Station and exploring bussing options we decided to try the train option because it fit our schedule. Finally a helpful ticket agent gave us useful info and helped us buy the best ticket that would get us there and back.
So, when you arrive in edinburgh station it seems average at best. Once you leave the station you are transported to a world past into a city with unbelievable Gothic architecture and a huge castle overlooking it all. Catherine and I wandered around, bought some groceries and went on a ghost tour. We are off on a highland tour for a couple of days that should be extraordinary but I can't wait to get back to explore more of this city...amazing!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The wedding and the Isle of Wight
Aunt Linda's wedding was beautiful. It was held in a wonderful church in Epsom outside London. This was followed by celebration at a pub used by Canadian soldiers as a base in WWII for the reception. The band included the original Kinks drummer!
The Isle of Wight tour was a whirlwind, saw everything, ate everything!
The Isle of Wight tour was a whirlwind, saw everything, ate everything!
Ireland RVing Day 6/7
Day 6 we travelled to Blarney and relaxed and enjoyed traditional Irish music in the pub over a couple of pints. We then visited theBlarney Castle and estate, kissed the stone and made our way to Dublin. In Dublin we tracked the Wilson clan down and enjoyed many pints and good times listening/watching Irish music and Dance while occupying a large portion of aneven larger bar.
Ireland RVing day 5
Day 5 was Galway to Athenry Castle followed by the Aiwee caves, Cliffs of Moher and a trip to Glenbeigh to meet up with family. Alas we were too late as the Wilson clan had left for the big city and whiskey and Guinness of Dublin.
Ireland RVing day 4
Day 4 took us to visit Scott Moraghan's family home in Boyle. We then went on to Aughanure Castle and traveled the coast around Clifden, finally ending up in Galway for the night. A long day of driving was perked up with a cup of Tim Horton's coffee...not even joking.
Ireland RVing Day 3
Day 3 we visited Dunluce Castle when it opened and then went on to the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery (oldest licensed distillery in Ireland) and finally finished the day with an amazing visit to the cliffs of Slieve League, some of the highest in Europe!
Ireland RVing Day 2
Day 2 saw us Drive from Donaghadee and visit the Giant's Causeway, suspension bridge and Dunluce Castle to stay for the evening.
Ireland RVing Day 1
Well it has been an amazing 2 weeks since we have had the opportunity to post any updates. It got to the point where I was pacing around waiting to get online with a computer that became available through the family. Was briefly able to check email and bank balances! Anyway, on to the interesting stuff
After touring around Dublin we all piled in to an RV and travelled around Ireland. We started off in search of a place near Belfast with the intention to meet up with Andy Monson, a friend from rugby in Prince George. We spent the first day in the RV mostly lost going round and round and round some roundabouts! Finally, I tried Andy and asked if it was possible to park somewhere near him. Andy was more than accomodating, directing us around, touring us through his home town of Donaghadee and generally making our first night of touring make up for a rough first day.
A highlight was drinking Guinness at Grace Neill's, the oldest pub in Ireland.
Andy and his wife Sarah were awesome hosts and introduced me to my new best friend Rachel (Both of us born at women's college hospital 1980 mere days apart, small world)
After touring around Dublin we all piled in to an RV and travelled around Ireland. We started off in search of a place near Belfast with the intention to meet up with Andy Monson, a friend from rugby in Prince George. We spent the first day in the RV mostly lost going round and round and round some roundabouts! Finally, I tried Andy and asked if it was possible to park somewhere near him. Andy was more than accomodating, directing us around, touring us through his home town of Donaghadee and generally making our first night of touring make up for a rough first day.
A highlight was drinking Guinness at Grace Neill's, the oldest pub in Ireland.Andy and his wife Sarah were awesome hosts and introduced me to my new best friend Rachel (Both of us born at women's college hospital 1980 mere days apart, small world)
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