I think this is my third visit to Turkey. I haven’t had the best of experiences on my previous trips but I always like to give a country another chance to change my view and I think this trip did just that.
I started off with a flight to Istanbul, a delayed flight which meant missing my connecting flight in Vienna. That’ll teach me to get cheap tickets. As we arrived in Vienna, I rushed to get off the plane as there was only 20 minutes before the plane to Istanbul took off. As I rushed past other passengers I got to the lounge and found the gate for the Istanbul flight only to find it was the same plane I just got off!
After reaching Istanbul I met with my transfer guide after 4 attempts at finding him at arrivals. There were so many people and so many name cards to look for. Finally found my guy who took me to the domestic terminal and checked me in for my flight to (Kayseri) Cappadocia. Unfortunately because of all the delays I missed the early flight and had to get the night flight. The only good thing to happen all day was my bump to business class. A short flight I know but brilliant service and excellent food so no need to buy any when I get to Cappadocia.
Finally arrived to start my trip at midnight tired and exhausted but certainly not hungry. I arrived at my hotel in Urgup and nice guy checked me in and flirted with me at the same time. I guess it’s the same old Turkey so far. He told me that the balloon company had confirmed and were going to pick me up at 4.30am. So by the time I fell asleep I had to get up again.
The pickup was 45 minutes late and that’s more time I could have spent in bed so I was not happy. I also wasn’t too keen on being herded around with all the other clients who had balloon flights booked. I know it’s a popular trip but I think it could be done more responsibly. My balloon flight was advertised as sunrise balloon ride over Cappadocia. Unfortunately the sun had already risen even before we got in the van again to find our balloon. At one point it seemed like we were heading away from all the balloons. Finally we got to a field with only 2 balloons. It was a big balloon with 4 compartments holding six people in each. It took an effort to climb into the basket with someone giving me hike up. I finally got in and then the adventure began.
The balloon lifted into the sky so fast and when we were in the air it was just truly amazing. I loved seeing all the other balloons. It was an awesome sight, one I will not forget and anything that happened before the flight was long gone from my thoughts. After the flight we had champagne and our flight certificate which I had to write on myself as they forgot me. Boo hoo!
They took me back to my hotel and I had 2 hours before I started my tour of Cappadocia. I tried to sleep but they pick up guys were 30 minutes early this time. Again after herding up all the other people booked on the same tour we started our tour of Cappadocia.
I loved the sights we saw. It looked like something out of a children’s fantasy movie. The domes were just so weird looking. The fairy chimneys also looked weird. They all look amazing. Then we had a walk in Ilhara Valley and then into the underground city which I loved. It was a very hot day and an even longer one. While all this was going on I managed to organise a reunion with a travel mate I met on my Panama tour 7 years ago.
I was looking forward to this reunion and I managed to get the guide to drop me off at my friend’s hotel. I had been out since 4am and was desperate need of a shower but Urgup is 10kms away from Goreme so it was just easier to stay in Goreme. I met up with my friend an hour earlier, borrowed some of her deodorant and had a blast eating and drinking for over 4 hours. Finally we parted company and I got into a taxi to get back to Urgup. The driver was interested in what I was doing in Turkey. I told him of my eventual trip heading east and he told me to watch out for Iraqi terrorists.
The next morning I waited for my next tour going to Adiyaman and Nemrut. The pickup was 45 minutes late this time and I actually thought they had forgotten me. But all was forgiven when I saw the guide walking up the path to the hotel and he asked me if I was Sharon. He had the most gorgeous eyes. He took my bag and we headed for the minibus and I saw that it was pretty full and wondered where I was going to squeeze into but the guide chucked the guy out of the front seat to the back and gave me his seat. The guide also sat next to me which was a right result. Fun times ahead!
The tour began and what a tour. We packed in so many things in so little time. I had a blast sitting with the guide as he was fun and did I mention his eyes. Every time he looked at me his eyes bore a frigging hole into my soul…that’s how freaking gorgeous his eyes were. We stopped at a Caravanserai where one of the ladies in the group fell off a ledge and probably broke her ankle, it swelled up so much but she persevered with the tour. We tasted the most amazing ice cream in Maras. The only ice cream you eat with a knife and fork.
Finally got to our first hotel and was told that we had a 2.30am wake up for our trip up Nemrut. The guide had to come knock on my door, maybe he thought I was still in bed. It was an hour’s drive away and we got there in the middle of the night and it was cold and windy. It took maybe 30 to 45 minutes to walk up Nemrut well maybe a little longer for me. I was met with many people at the top waiting for the sunrise and it didn’t disappoint. We took some awesome shots and had a brief talk which I missed as I was messing around with one of the guys from the group taking silly shadow pictures…it was way more fun.
Then we headed to a famous bridge which I have completely forgotten the name of and then to Ataturk Damn. Then we visited Harran and on the way our guide had a little dancing on the bus moment. In Harran we saw some beehive shaped homes. I saw 2 camels and 2 goats with the longest floppy ears I had ever seen.
We had 1 hour to kill before our trip to Sanliurfa. We had been up since 2.30am so everyone tried to sleep before we headed off but I couldn’t sleep. I had a nice breakfast with the guide instead. My little treat. We had kebabs for lunch and then a city tour where we saw the sacred fishes in mosque place which I have no idea what it’s called. Met some local children and took photos and then stopped by for some more ice cream. It was a short tour but so much fun and I was not looking forward to it ending the next morning as I wouldn’t be joining the group back to Cappadocia for another fun day of travelling. I was about to star t my final tour to South Eastern Turkey with just me and the guide who was nowhere as fun as my last guide.
First stop was at the oldest mosque in the world 12000 BC in Gobeklitepe. Then we headed to Mardin which is more Arabic in its architecture than most cities in Turkey. The best part of the tour was my 5 start hotel in Mardin. It was so cool and amazing as I was the only tourist staying. I had an amazing room with a view of a fab pool which had my name written all over it. I spent the rest of the day after my tour lounging by the pool catching up on some much needed rays. I had the pool all to myself.
The next morning we headed to Midyat and then to Hassankeyf. Both were very impressive but it’s going to be a shame to lose Hassankeyf to a dam they are building in the future which means the city will be under water. Then we headed to Batman for lunch before heading for Diyarbakir. This town was not as impressive, as all their cultural places like the castle and other historical buildings like the house belonging to Ataturk have been turned into tea houses with nearby amusement arcades and parades. I didn’t like it. I suppose this way it gets used but I’m sure in the long run the places will be more damaged. I guess if they had more tourists visiting they wouldn’t have to turn them into tea houses.
The weather has been hot all the way through and one day it was even 45 degrees! The next day I headed to Istanbul via Ankara but my bag decided to stay behind in Ankara. I have not checked in my bags all the way from London on 4 flights and the one time I check it in the damn thing goes missing. The airline tracked it down in Ankara and promised to put it on the next flight. The bag didn’t make it and they said it would be on the next flight after that. Luckily the agency’s car service was around the airport to pick up my bag so eventually it arrived at 11.15pm to the apartment. I didn’t stay in a hotel this time but an apartment about the agency building. It was a nice little studio in Sultanahmet close to all the major sights. Kind of kinky room with a huge mirror in front of the bed…when I mean huge I mean the same size of the bed. I guess it was definitely a bachelor’s pad. It wasn’t furnished by a woman that’s for sure.
By the time I got to my apartment without my bag, it was after 7pm. I rushed to try and get to the mosques for sunset shots but I just missed it and got crappy photos instead. I didn’t even get to meet up with a friend as I gave him my address too late and he never got around to replying to my face book message. That ticked me right off.
The next morning I woke up early for some unknown reason so decided to see the sights around Sultanahmet. It was lovely to wander around when there are no tourists about. The streets were quiet and no one was hassling me to eat or buy stuff because they were all still too busy setting up or in bed. I checked out Hajia Sofia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. After my morning tour I decided on a traditional Turkish bath.
I found one which has been going since 1777; well that’s what it says on their wall. It cost 80 lira and it included a Turkish bath, a peel, a foam scrub and an oil massage. Never had one before so was a little apprehensive. I was taken to a small cubicle and told to undress and wear a towel. At least I had a towel. I was still a bit concerned as I really wanted one where there were just women rather than blokes wandering about aimlessly. I was then taken into a very hot marbled room and told to lie down and relax. I was the only person there at that moment. I was still in my towel but it was so hot I was thinking about whipping it off. Thank god I didn’t as two more women walked in and a bloke too. So far it wasn’t very private. Then a woman came in and said “lady” and she looked straight at me so I went with her. She took me into a smaller room and she took off her towel and was standing in front of me stark naked. I tried not to look but it was a little difficult. Then she said for me to change and I said I had changed but then she started to take my towel and I pulled it away from her. She said it was ok and whipped the towel off me but I didn’t give up without a fight. Eventually she won as she was a lot stronger, so there I was naked with another naked Turkish woman with humongous boobs. She got me to lie down on a slab and then started to scrub me from neck to toe for a good 15 minutes. It was a hard scrub not some namby pamby soft exfoliate. It was called the peel and she surely was peeling of my dead and dirty skin. It was gross. Then she got me up to pour water all over me and then back on the slab I go for my foam scrub. That was lovely even though the end result was gross greyish colour on the foam after she was done with me. Then she washed me again and shampooed my hair before leading me to the big steam room again to lie down for 20 minutes. While all this was happening from time to time I got a bit of her boob on me and at one point right in my face. I guess she thought it would make me feel more comfortable if she was naked too. No, I was very much in discomfort.
Then another woman came to get me for my oil massage. She took me upstairs to another room, again whipping off my towel but at least giving me a robe. Upstairs wasn’t that private and the massage was still done with me naked, although a small towel was used to cover my nether regions. Not sure why she thought my boobs needed a good kneading, it was my back and shoulders that was sore. Then it was all over after 90minutes.
I felt clean and refreshed but with all the stress of being naked kind of cancelled out the good stuff. Don’t get me wrong it was ok being naked eventually with the woman but there were men still around especially where I was having my massage. I didn’t feel it was private enough. Maybe it all depends on where you go. But at least I’ve experienced it and found out how bloody dirty I am. I will definitely get myself a new scrubber when I get back home.
