Turkey. You may remember it from such films as "Turkey Says as Turkey does" and "That's not how you make Gozleme" She was beautiful with her sights, smells, scenery and snacks.
We flew in from Bishkek and were amazed to find our first airport where we weren't harassed by taxi men. Public transport here is great. It's reliable, cheap and really easy to use.
Our first nights in Istanbul were spent in a broom cupboard that someone had managed to squeeze a bunk into. Our hotel was in an awesome spot for food, sights and window shopping. We spent the evening walking around the docks and watching the sun set over some very impressive mosques. We got a fish sandwich from a rocking boat and meandered across bridges just being in love n shit.
The next day was completely out of character for us. We must have had some good sleep because we were walking down the road ready for adventure at 8:30 and didn't get back to our hotel until 7:30!! We started with a breakfast for champions which consisted of simit (bread roll sort of) and laughing cow cheese, and a strong Turkish coffee. Buzzzzzzzzzz! This was quickly followed up by fast talking.
After seeing the huge line for the Blue Mosque, we skipped it and went to Sofia Arya instead. This was originally built as a church and was converted to a mosque before more recently becoming a museum. It was constantly under renovation as they attempted to convert it back to its original condition. This place took my breath away. I don't know if it was the coffee talking but I was on a high. It was so beautiful and it had this amazing feel to it. The fact that it was buzzing with people and small tour groups didn't distract from its beauty. I think I was in love!
Next stop, the Grand Bazaar! We followed the signs (well played Istanbul!) and easily made into the depths of extreme shopping. We don't like shopping so we skirted her edges before zooming out in search of some local grub. Our lovely little lunch spot had been making beans (and inadvertently musical locals) for 80 years and they were delicious! Not only that, but our lunch spot overlooked the entrance to Süleymaniye Camii. A place that we probably wouldn't have visited but were really glad we did. We waddled on in with our bellies full of beans and were instantly hit by another place of beauty. The garden was filled with tomb stones and bright green plants that provided perfect dozing spots for fluffy cats. Over the wall was the bay so we were provided with a beautiful sea breeze and decided it was a good spot to sit and relax for a while.
Beans partly digested we headed on back to the bay to jump on a boat and go cruising up the Bosphorus. we passed waterside mansions and restaurants, party boats and ducked under bridges while munching on the juciest peaches and figs you ever saw.
We walked back to the district of Beyoglu on the European side for a delicious Gozleme and celebratory beer. What a day!!
We flew in from Bishkek and were amazed to find our first airport where we weren't harassed by taxi men. Public transport here is great. It's reliable, cheap and really easy to use.
Our first nights in Istanbul were spent in a broom cupboard that someone had managed to squeeze a bunk into. Our hotel was in an awesome spot for food, sights and window shopping. We spent the evening walking around the docks and watching the sun set over some very impressive mosques. We got a fish sandwich from a rocking boat and meandered across bridges just being in love n shit.
The next day was completely out of character for us. We must have had some good sleep because we were walking down the road ready for adventure at 8:30 and didn't get back to our hotel until 7:30!! We started with a breakfast for champions which consisted of simit (bread roll sort of) and laughing cow cheese, and a strong Turkish coffee. Buzzzzzzzzzz! This was quickly followed up by fast talking.
After seeing the huge line for the Blue Mosque, we skipped it and went to Sofia Arya instead. This was originally built as a church and was converted to a mosque before more recently becoming a museum. It was constantly under renovation as they attempted to convert it back to its original condition. This place took my breath away. I don't know if it was the coffee talking but I was on a high. It was so beautiful and it had this amazing feel to it. The fact that it was buzzing with people and small tour groups didn't distract from its beauty. I think I was in love!
Next stop, the Grand Bazaar! We followed the signs (well played Istanbul!) and easily made into the depths of extreme shopping. We don't like shopping so we skirted her edges before zooming out in search of some local grub. Our lovely little lunch spot had been making beans (and inadvertently musical locals) for 80 years and they were delicious! Not only that, but our lunch spot overlooked the entrance to Süleymaniye Camii. A place that we probably wouldn't have visited but were really glad we did. We waddled on in with our bellies full of beans and were instantly hit by another place of beauty. The garden was filled with tomb stones and bright green plants that provided perfect dozing spots for fluffy cats. Over the wall was the bay so we were provided with a beautiful sea breeze and decided it was a good spot to sit and relax for a while.
Beans partly digested we headed on back to the bay to jump on a boat and go cruising up the Bosphorus. we passed waterside mansions and restaurants, party boats and ducked under bridges while munching on the juciest peaches and figs you ever saw.
We walked back to the district of Beyoglu on the European side for a delicious Gozleme and celebratory beer. What a day!!
The next day we were back to our usual lazy tricks. We flew down to Antalya and were on our way to Kas (Kash) to be the best surprise ever for Josh and Sair. the bus trip there was along beautiful coastal roads looking out onto the glistening Mediterranean. Ohhhh mama this was gonna be good. I was so excited I could hardly concentrate on Frosty's ever enthralling conversations. I finally got a message from mousey and we planned to meet up for dinner. Waiting,waiting, waiting for Walkers. The combination of bus rides, hot sun and excitement was too much to me and I got a headache. This is it! I just saw them! Hide behind your menu. No not like that, look like we're reading them. I sneak a peak. Mouse and Marty have spotted me. Ooh they're getting closer. The waiter says "you can sit over there or here. Or maybe you could sit with your friends?"
We burst out from behind our menus. Josh looks like a stunned mullet and Sair looks a little confused as to why they have to share a table when there are so many others free. Oh. Oh! OH! Surprise!!! And so begins the best time ever!
Kas is beautiful. Nice and swank with minimal skank. We catch a bus to a beach up the road and lounge and swim and laugh. The water is extremely salty and we are covered in a fine crust once dried. It is bright blue and the beach is pebbly. We play games like 'who can pick up the biggest rock with their feet' and 'who can lift a rock above water with their feet'. Then we bob and float and giggle some more at Josh's waterslide story. Back in town it's too early for dinner and just the right time for beers. We find a pub and get comfy! Us girls try and organise a kayak for the day. Good news is they sound great! Bad news is they start at 7am! Dang. We book it anyway! We eat dinner and get more beers. Then we finish dinner and sneak one extra in because as frosty says "its better to kayak hungover than not" he wasn't so witty the next morning.
We catch a mini bus with the rest of our tour group out to a little bay. Our guide is short and doesn't like to smile which makes us giggle. Out on the water and it's the best feeling. We head out to an archaeologically protect island and kayak over an ancient sunken city. Our guide points out remnants of Lycian, Roman and North Roman buildings. He likes to stop and wait until we are aaaalmost in earshot before talking so by the time we reach him he's almost done. I like him, he makes me laugh. We spot a staircase that is about 2000 years old and then kayak over to our lunch and swimming spot. We settle in for deliciously fresh grilled fish and homemade lemonade.
After lunch is free time! Weeeee! Mouse and I head straight for the water because we are a couple of water babies. We swim around the shallow rocks in the choppy water just being heaps naturally beautiful and graceful. we bump into the lovely French Canadians from our tour and they ask us if we've seen any turtles. Turtles? We didn't know there were any here. They looked a bit sad. Then a guy who overhears us says he saw one about a minute ago over there. To 'over there' Mousey!! at a rapid and ever graceful pace we swim on over. It's too salty to open our eyes under water and we swim around aimlessly for a while until we hear our FC friends call us and point to a spot. Then we see the lovely man swim in with his snorkel. He paddles around for a bit finding the beast and waves us over. We swim over and spot it! Whoah its massive! Is that it? We ask and he says yes and points to a different spot. We were looking at a rock. One of the biggest rocks we've seen mind you! this lovely stranger lends us his goggles to have a peek. Oh it's a beauty!! Just chilling under the waves. Mouse and I get an instant buzz and giggle plenty before stalking the poor little thing for about 20 minutes. The FCs join us and lend us their goggles. We dive under to swim real close to it. Ah man! So cool!! He had the cutest little head when he came up for air too. That turtle paid for our trip. He made it worth it!!
Pretty pleased with ourselves mouse and I go for a short walk up to an old castle on top of the hill for some happy snap time. we reward ourselves with ice cream for being so top notch. Then we make our guide a little less happy by taking our sweet ass time getting back to the kayaks and laughing all the way. As we paddle off I remind the FCs that there is to be no smiling or giggling on the way back because this is a serious adventure! the sea has turned choppy and it is a shame we aren't kayaking for long because it's a load fun.
Back in Kas the boys drink tea and beer and us girls go shopping before we unite again for a dinner feasting. We keep the beers to a minimum so we aren't in too much pain for the bus ride to Kabak the next day.
We burst out from behind our menus. Josh looks like a stunned mullet and Sair looks a little confused as to why they have to share a table when there are so many others free. Oh. Oh! OH! Surprise!!! And so begins the best time ever!
Kas is beautiful. Nice and swank with minimal skank. We catch a bus to a beach up the road and lounge and swim and laugh. The water is extremely salty and we are covered in a fine crust once dried. It is bright blue and the beach is pebbly. We play games like 'who can pick up the biggest rock with their feet' and 'who can lift a rock above water with their feet'. Then we bob and float and giggle some more at Josh's waterslide story. Back in town it's too early for dinner and just the right time for beers. We find a pub and get comfy! Us girls try and organise a kayak for the day. Good news is they sound great! Bad news is they start at 7am! Dang. We book it anyway! We eat dinner and get more beers. Then we finish dinner and sneak one extra in because as frosty says "its better to kayak hungover than not" he wasn't so witty the next morning.
We catch a mini bus with the rest of our tour group out to a little bay. Our guide is short and doesn't like to smile which makes us giggle. Out on the water and it's the best feeling. We head out to an archaeologically protect island and kayak over an ancient sunken city. Our guide points out remnants of Lycian, Roman and North Roman buildings. He likes to stop and wait until we are aaaalmost in earshot before talking so by the time we reach him he's almost done. I like him, he makes me laugh. We spot a staircase that is about 2000 years old and then kayak over to our lunch and swimming spot. We settle in for deliciously fresh grilled fish and homemade lemonade.
After lunch is free time! Weeeee! Mouse and I head straight for the water because we are a couple of water babies. We swim around the shallow rocks in the choppy water just being heaps naturally beautiful and graceful. we bump into the lovely French Canadians from our tour and they ask us if we've seen any turtles. Turtles? We didn't know there were any here. They looked a bit sad. Then a guy who overhears us says he saw one about a minute ago over there. To 'over there' Mousey!! at a rapid and ever graceful pace we swim on over. It's too salty to open our eyes under water and we swim around aimlessly for a while until we hear our FC friends call us and point to a spot. Then we see the lovely man swim in with his snorkel. He paddles around for a bit finding the beast and waves us over. We swim over and spot it! Whoah its massive! Is that it? We ask and he says yes and points to a different spot. We were looking at a rock. One of the biggest rocks we've seen mind you! this lovely stranger lends us his goggles to have a peek. Oh it's a beauty!! Just chilling under the waves. Mouse and I get an instant buzz and giggle plenty before stalking the poor little thing for about 20 minutes. The FCs join us and lend us their goggles. We dive under to swim real close to it. Ah man! So cool!! He had the cutest little head when he came up for air too. That turtle paid for our trip. He made it worth it!!
Pretty pleased with ourselves mouse and I go for a short walk up to an old castle on top of the hill for some happy snap time. we reward ourselves with ice cream for being so top notch. Then we make our guide a little less happy by taking our sweet ass time getting back to the kayaks and laughing all the way. As we paddle off I remind the FCs that there is to be no smiling or giggling on the way back because this is a serious adventure! the sea has turned choppy and it is a shame we aren't kayaking for long because it's a load fun.
Back in Kas the boys drink tea and beer and us girls go shopping before we unite again for a dinner feasting. We keep the beers to a minimum so we aren't in too much pain for the bus ride to Kabak the next day.
Along more winding roads in bus and taxi is the beautiful Kabak. Our cabins are high on the hill overlooking the valley and ocean below. It is beeeeeeautiful. Feels like a five star joint. Almost. our days are filled with more beer, great food, swimming and going on a honeymoon. We had crashed Britt and Daf's but they didn't seem to mind! We were a rowdy group of 8 having way too much fun and annoying anyone else staying there. Not our fault! We didn't even want to drink beer but Sarah kept on buying rounds! True story!!
Britt and Daf's accommodation was gorgeous! A perfect honeymoon spot with an infinity pool! Sweet! So we got more beers, stripped down and jumped on in to disturb the peace and have a major photo shoot. The owner, a pommy bloke called Frank, came over to take a snap of the four boys and their massive beards. He was so lovely and told us how happy he was to see some smiles and hear us laughing and joking. We wanted to invite him back to our place for beers and dinner we felt bad leaving the lonely old fella.
But the saddest goodbye was our last day where we bid farewell to Joshy boy, Sair bear,Marty pants and Katherine Gail Walker. Ohhh I don't want it to end! But it did and I only got a little teary before trying to make a quick get away. Back on a bus and heading to Ephesus. Dry your eyes mate!!
Britt and Daf's accommodation was gorgeous! A perfect honeymoon spot with an infinity pool! Sweet! So we got more beers, stripped down and jumped on in to disturb the peace and have a major photo shoot. The owner, a pommy bloke called Frank, came over to take a snap of the four boys and their massive beards. He was so lovely and told us how happy he was to see some smiles and hear us laughing and joking. We wanted to invite him back to our place for beers and dinner we felt bad leaving the lonely old fella.
But the saddest goodbye was our last day where we bid farewell to Joshy boy, Sair bear,Marty pants and Katherine Gail Walker. Ohhh I don't want it to end! But it did and I only got a little teary before trying to make a quick get away. Back on a bus and heading to Ephesus. Dry your eyes mate!!
Ephesus was great! Is there anywhere in Turkey that isn't? No. At our hotel we book a tour to the ancient city of Heiropolous because we have seen pictures of amazing pools there! Up early(-ish. Our alarm didn't go off!) And hop on a bus. We officially booked our first big tour with 25 people! 3 hour bus ride and we arrive at a place that looks like Cancun. People walking around in bikinis and budgie smugglers with beers in hand. Niccccce. Our guide (an ex military man and archaeologist!) is quick to move us past the flesh section and onto serious business about prostitutes, ancient condoms and vegetarian warriors. After a short while he let's us go for extra long free time if we wish. Frosty and I wish so we leave the rest of the group and wander off taking photos and lounging under trees drinking çay (that's hip for tea). The water here has calcium crystals so as it flows over the side of pools and cliifs it creates bright white walls. Its beautiful but slightly off putting with the hundreds of people stomping through them. We wander round exploring the old ruins and are amazed to find an amphitheatre in great condition up a hill. The guy in budgie smugglers with beer in hand looked pretty impressed too!
Back in Ephesus we wander around the ancient city taking happy snaps and lapping up the history of the place before heading back to town for some well earned market browsing and beer drinking. Sometimes it's hard to do what we do. Really hard!
Our last day is spent in Istanbul eating street food, visiting the Blue Mosque and being overwhelmed by the stench of tourist feet (it was rank!) before having a major calamity with money, running round Istanbul trying to sort it our and almost missing our flight which was gratefully delayed. Just your everyday Kat and Fro adventure.
Next stop, Iran!
Back in Ephesus we wander around the ancient city taking happy snaps and lapping up the history of the place before heading back to town for some well earned market browsing and beer drinking. Sometimes it's hard to do what we do. Really hard!
Our last day is spent in Istanbul eating street food, visiting the Blue Mosque and being overwhelmed by the stench of tourist feet (it was rank!) before having a major calamity with money, running round Istanbul trying to sort it our and almost missing our flight which was gratefully delayed. Just your everyday Kat and Fro adventure.
Next stop, Iran!