Zach and Cathy's Adventures: Greece and Turkey 9/24 Part 2 Turkey

DAY 1-2, Monday - Depart Greece for Turkey, Arrive in Istanbul

We disembarked the cruise at 8am and transferred to the airport in Athens for our departure flight, which unfortunately was 7 hours later.

We arrived in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia in late evening and transferred to our hotel during sunset. This was our 23rd Gate1 trip!

The hotel the Legacy Ottoman Hotel is one the classic hotels from days gone by. It has a great view of the city.

DAY 3, Tuesday - Istanbul City Tour

We went on a tour of Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents, called the Crossroads of the World. It has a population of approximately 20 million and 2000 mosques.

We didn’t see all of them, but we saw a lot. Mosques are everywhere. You can always identify a mosque because they all have at least one minaret. Mosques usually have dome, but so do other building and tombs.

Not mosque.

Mosque.

Not mosque.

First, we visited St. Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This great Byzantine Basilica was built in the 6th century and was later converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, after their conquest of the area. We had to take our shoes off before entering.

All of the frescoes were covered over by the Ottoman when it became a mosque. Foe several years it was a museum before going back to a mosque, which is why some of the frescos are now uncovered on the 2nd floor.

Then we walked to the nearby and newly restored Blue Mosque, showcasing an impressive combination of blue Iznik tiles and intricate stonework. The Iznik tiles covering the inside are the reason it's called the Blue Mosque.

We continued to the Hippodrome, the place where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period.

Due to earthquakes and other events, the only thing still standing are these 3 columns. The Obelisk of Theodosius, which came from Egypt in one piece.

The Serpent Column which has a twin in Ephesus.

The Column of Constantine.

We went from there to the Grand Bazaar, where bargaining is an art. It's really just a mall in really old buildings.

Our last stop off the day was our Bosphorus Cruise, the Straights separating Europe and Asia. 800 meter is the closest the 2 sides come together. The length of the Straits is about 20 miles. There are 2 suspension bridges over the Straights and other bridges as well. The 2 shores are lined with many of the most expensive homes in Istanbul. There are 4 Ottoman palaces, as well. Not to mention more mosques and forts.

Some mosques from the hotel that night.

DAY 4, Wednesday - Spice Market, Troy, Drive to Canakkale

This morning, we headed to the lively Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas. It's also called the Egyptian Bazaar.

Afterward, we departed Istanbul and drove towards the city of Canakkale about 4 hours away.
We stopped in the city of Gallipoli for lunch, unfortunately, the WW1 battlefield was not on the trip agenda.

After lunch, we crossed the one-year-old 18th of March suspension bridge over the Dardanelle Straight from Europe to Asia. The Dardanelle Straight is about 30 miles long. The bridge is named after the Turkish victory in the sea battle at Gallipoli.

We then proceeded to the classical city of Troy. We toured this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad. This is a creation of Turkish artisan Izzetv Senernogku.

They put the bones of the dead in these pots.

Troy is the oldest city in Turkey. Archologists have uncovered 9 layers of the city. The Trojan Wars were fought in layer 6. There is only Homer's Iliad that has any record of the wars.

Troy layer 6 East Wall.

Citadel wall Troy 2 and 3.

The water from the Dardanelle Straights used to come up to Troy!

The Megaron. No doors. Ladders to get in and out.

Archeology gone wrong!

The Ramp.

Artistic rendition of the Ramp in zenith.

These walls were 4 feet thick.

Temple of Athena, Troy 8. This is where the main temples were built.

The Odien.

Nice hotel, the Kolin! New mosque across street.

We had a great sunset across the Dardanelle Straights from the boardwalk in front of the hotel.

DAY 5, Thursday - Pergamum, Ride to Izmir

This morning, we rode to Pergamum, a once powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period.

On the way, we enjoyed lunch in family homes in a local village up in the mountains. The food was authentic and tasty, quinoa, eggplant and other stuff. Our host used Google Translate to talk with us.
Gate1 does this in many places to help support the local economy.

This bridge was built by the Romans.

Speed trap.

After lunch, we visited the Asclepion in Bergama, the ancient Roman medical/spa center. It was dedicated to the Greek god of the same name, the god of medicine!

A military tank park next to the entrance.

The Acropolis of Bergama.

This area has had many earthquakes. The Romans built on top of the Greek ruins. In turn, their buildings were destroyed by earthquakes.

Via Tecta entrance to Ascleption.

The symbols on this pillar are still used in medicine today.

Temple of Zeus Ascleption.

The medical complex underground entrance.

The theatre complex. Overall view of complex from 2 separate places.

Sights on the road to Izmir, Turkeys 4th largest city. Isis Temple.

Didn't expect so many wind farms.

Turkey is 5th largest producer of olive oil.

Lots of ships out in the Aegean Sea.

After Bergama, we continued to Izmir the city believed to be the birthplace of Homer.

Sunset from the rooftop of our hotel through glass window.

DAY 6, Friday - Full Day in Izmir

We rode an hour to Selcuk to visit the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary after the Resurrection, she lived there with John, the Apostle. It is believed to be her last residence before the Assumption. The house is now a Catholic Church.

People leave prayer requests on this wall.

We toured Ancient Ephesus, again, the 2nd time in a week, where the Temple of Artemis, one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World," once stood. The other visit was last week on the cruise. After the earthquake in the 10th century destroyed most of the city, it was abandoned.

Original appearance.

The 2000-year-old marble main streets; run a long way through the city.

A Christian symbol.

The Odeon.

A well-preserved Roman Arch.

Holes were put in columns and metal, or wood pegs were used to keep them together.

The Fountain of Trajan.

The terrace houses of the rich and famous.

Temple of Hadrian.

For men only.

The Library of Celsus.

Footprint leading to the open area next to the library is the Agora or Forum, as the Romans called it.

The road by the forum used to lead to where ships docked. Those waters have now receded 11 kilometers.

The stadium, 25k capacity is still largest of its kind.

Milestones where places all around the empire by the Romans.

After lunch we went to the museum. We didn't visit it last week. Everything in the Museum is from Ephesus. There are lots of almost complete statues.

Statue of Hadrian, the missing lower leg is still attached to the Fountain.

Glass plate.

Weapons.

Almost totally intact sculpture, Resting Warrior.

Sarcophagus.

Gold coins.

This is a replica of her Temple where the 2 statues shown below were located.

The most important pieces are the two intact statues of Artemis, goddess of futility. She has 16 breasts.

This head and forearm are all that is left of this large statue.

More frescoes.

That evening we went for walk on the boardwalk.

Day 7, Saturday - Necropolis & Hierapolis at Pamukkale

We departed Izmir and rode to Pamukkale en route to Antalya. We visited the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a thermal bath and spa since the 2nd century B.C., primarily for the ailing and elderly. Calcium carbonate from the hot springs from the mountains has created the effect. Springs from the bottom.

Springs from the top.

From inside the springs. No shoes walking in springs. The bottom was rocky and uncomfortable, but we gave it a try. Don't know how other people did it.

We did not walk to the Necropolis. There were enough of those around Hierapolis. It's a very large area.

The Gymnasium, school of naked exercise in Greek.

View of the Amphitheater from several locations.

Grinding wheel.

The Temple of Apollo.

The Agora.

The museum, formerly the Bath had many interesting artifacts.

Saint Phillippe Martyrion.

The view from our hotel in Antalya. It's the 2nd largest city in Turkey.

Day 8, Sunday - Full Day in Antalya

Antalya was founded by King Attlos of Pergamum as " Heaven on Earth." Antalya is an international resort city, one of Turkey's 10 largest and has become a prime destination in Turkey.

We started the day cruising on a wooden boat along the beautiful coast, taking in the magnificent views of the rugged cliffs, hidden coves, waterfalls and rocky beaches.

A little fun.

Zach's 1st time in Mediterranean.

Then, we walked the old town going to Hadrian's Gate, he really got around, Greece, Scotland... The city walls dating back to the 2nd century. The streets were not crowded because it was Sunday morning.

After, we visited the excellent Antalya Archaeological Museum with its artifacts dating back over 2500 years. I think it was the best museum so far, because it had the best preserve artifacts. The artifacts are mostly from the Perge Kingdom days.

The original Saint Nicholas was from Turkey, he never saw snow.

A baby bottle.

Bronze, silver and gold.

Lots of statues that are mostly intact. Hadrian again.

Emperor Septimus Severus ruled for 55 years and was into athletics, building the Coliseum in Rome and several Hippodromes.

Aphrodite and Zeus.

Aphrodite and Hercules.

Lots of very elaborate sarcophagus.

Moved to museum as originally found.

Hermes and Hercules.

Frescoes.

1800-year-old backgammon board.

Big burial pots.

We had to go down 6 floors in an elevator and walk through this tunnel to get to the rocky beach at hotel.

Cathy's 1st time in the Mediterranean.

Door opens and closes in two different directions. Never seen that before.

Hotel has swings inside.

DAY 9, Monday - Visit Caravanserai of Sultanah en route to Cappadocia

Departed for Cappadocia, driving through the mountains and leaving the sea behind. From the mountains to the plains. Turkey is a big country.

So many mosques, Turkey is 99% Muslim.

Lunch stop.

We visited the magnificent Caravanserai of Sultanah en route to Cappadocia. It was completed in 1229. Turkey built a series of 800 of these for the caravans. They are about 25 miles apart which is about how far a camel could travel in day.

This room could hold 500 camels. Now it has a carpet display. There are no camels in Turkey now.

This was a room for many people.

This volcano was far away and hasn't erupted in over 12,000 years.

Upon arrival in Cappadocia we started seeing great geological formations, that's what the area is known for.

That night we attended the Whirling Dervish performance. Dervishes are part of an order of Muslim monks based on the works of the poet Rumi from the 1200s. Their captivating mystical ritual connects one in infinite spinning to perfect harmony. They can do this all day long. We couldn't spin around 2 or 3 times without falling.

DAY 10, Tuesday - Full Day in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is home to rock-cut temples, ancient underground cities, and unparalleled landscapes. Cappadocia means land of horses. We made several stops at amazing rock formations. There are 3 major volcanoes that shaped this area millions of years ago. Erosion of the volcanic ash shaped the rock formations. It also made it easy to dig into the rock. Parts of Star Wars movies were filmed here.

Camel.

Fairy Chimneys everywhere.

Lava flows.

More Fairy Chimneys.

Homes in the rock. People still have homed in the rocks today. Several hotels are also built into the rock.

Never ending sights.

Next, we visited a carpet maker and watch a demonstration of traditional Turkish carpet weaving.
Wool, cotton and silk combinations make the rugs. All silk carpets are the most expensive. China had a monopoly on silk until some Turks smuggled some silkworms out in hollowed out walking staffs.
One cocoon can produce a silk fiber up to a kilometer long. Silk is so strong it has been used to cut rock.

After lunch we visited the Ozkonak Underground City. It was built by Hittites for protection from enemies. All the food was carried in and all the waste carried out. Even the animals were kept underground. 26 underground cities have been discovered.

Built air vents as part of complex.

The Hittites were a lot smaller.

Next, we went to the monastery complex in the Goreme Valley started by Saints George and Basil in the 400s. The entire monastery complex was built into the rock. It was an active monastery until 1923, the year Turkey and Geese became independent.

Our last stop of the day was the amazing view of Pidgeon Valley.

DAY 11, Wednesday - Travel to Ankara, Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk

This morning, we visited the village of Avanos, famous for its pottery-making tradition. Watched a master put together a wine decanter in about 15 minutes.

Then, traveled to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.

Upon arrival, we visited the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. The Republic was founded in 1923. Leading up to the Mausoleum, also known as the Anitkabir, lies a vast brick courtyard.

When Ataturk became President, he moved the capital from Istanbul to Ankara for its more central location. At that time, it was a small town with only 43 cars and these 3 belonged to Ataturk.

A monumental avenue lined with Neo Hittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades.

Cenotaphs of Ataturk himself, a large and highly decorative marble cenotaph, beneath which lies his tomb.

The Complex has 5 honor guards at different stations.

We happened to be there for the changing of the guard.

Then, we continue to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, built in two Ottoman buildings located near Ankara Castle, which was built by the Pragian in 8th century BC and rebuilt several more times by Galatians and Romans.

The museum exhibits Anatolian archaeological artifacts, as well as artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to the present. Gobekklic Tepe Obelisks, 6000 years before Stonehenge.

Human remains moved to the museum as they were found.

A bull with people and other animals around it.

Goddess figurine.

Hittites gold.

Hittite pottery.

God of war.

Frescoes of Hittite soldiers.

Hittites were 1st to use chariot.

Anatolian gold crown was returned to Turkey from Scotland in 2017.

The skull of King Midas with the golden touch.

From a monument.

Bathtubs.

All the king's horses and all the Kings men could put the pottery back together again.

Obelisk.

A new mosque and more.

Statues at an intersection.

DAY 12, Thursday - Return to Istanbul

We returned to Istanbul. On the way saw a few interesting sights and the bus had a mechanical issue which required an unscheduled delay. We made it to Istanbul and crossed over the Bosphorus to Europe again. Took some pictures driving to the castle.

A very old mosque outside the castle wall.

We visited Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years. The jeweled turban crests, silken caftans and priceless Chinese porcelains of the palace bear witness to the grandeur of a bygone era. In 1453 Mehmet II conquered Istanbul which started the reign of the Ottomans till the end of WWI. 5000 people lived in the castle.

There is the outer wall entry gate.