Turkey... Apr07

Cappadocia 19Apr07
12 hours bus ride from Istanbul, this region has some spectacular scenery and history. Got a tour so was able to see all the sights as it's quite spread out. Of course with a 'tour' you are always given ample opportunity to buy the local pottery,carpet,wine,onyx,whatever.





































Trabzon 21Apr07
Nice enough place on the Black Sea coast. Not as in-yer-face as the touristy part of Istanbul, yet still lively enough. A mere 13 hour bus ride from Cappadocia.

Trabzon, the Hollywood of the Black Sea perhaps?
















Van 23Apr07
After another 12 hour bus ride I'm here.
This city has ancient roots and has been a crossing point for armies and cultures for thousands of years and also lies on the old Silk Road.
The town itself is nothing to rave about but the area reminded me of SouthIsland NZ with the lake and snowy mountains.
Today is Turkish National Sovereignty day (23 Apr 1920) so everyone was out and about.
While exploring the local fortress ruins I met some lads taking a days break from their compulsory military training (betcha glad we don't have that in NZ!) and they once again proved the friendliness and hospitality of the Turks by advising me on some good food for lunch and refusing to let me pay for it.



















Diyabakir 25Apr07
Another ancient place, surrounded by great city walls rebuilt over the years. A Kurdish stronghold, with some nasty internal history in the 80's,90's.















Mardin 26Apr07
A small town with a crazy bazaar, has a strong Eastern/Arab feel about it, plenty of guys with turban/scarf things and funny looking baggy trousers.















Urfa 27Apr07
Like most cities this has castle ruins dominating from a hill.
Stayed in a guest house operated by locals and learnt much of the Kurdish lifestyle (and a lot of their politics...)















Harran 28Apr07
Though to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns ever, this is where they used to live in 'beehive' houses, it's where Abraham (the guy in the Bible) lived for a while, and the site of the worlds first university.















Istanbul 30Apr07
Only took 29 hours -finally- to get back here after a few problems along the way (road closure, bus breakdown). Kinda nice to be back in backpackersville.