travel – Rhudimentary

Follow the lollipop

I should explain the title of this post is a phrase used regularly by our guide.

Today we visited Crete. Gotta say, we didn’t get what I was expecting.

We had selected a visit to the Palace of Knossos but were advised by the organisers that this may be a bit taxing for us with very uneven ground and lots of steps. We accepted their advice and picked another day trip but, in retrospect, I feel we should have gone to Knossos, even if we didn’t get to scramble around the site.

This is what we were expecting when we arrived in Heraklion. Looks good, right? The following is a reasonable representation of the journey to the museum, our alternative visit.

“Ok, ladies an’ gennlemens, if you look to your right youse will see the ammmmazing venetian fortifications that welcome you to our town of Heraklion.”

What we saw only blurry and if you were on the right hand side of the bus.

“Hold on, this road part a little twisty. We go fast, yes? Hahahaha (maniacal laughter)”

We visited the Archaeological Museum which was lovely but it would have been better if we’d been given an hour to look around ourselves.

I was fascinated by this hat, and the woman underneath it, quite frankly. She was all terribly Audrey Hepburn with an air of casual disdain, floating around the displays and giving a cursory glance before floating onto the next display.

Our guide spent a bit of time explaining the importance of the Dablax. It took me a while to realise she was saying Double Axe.

We were guided around a few rooms showing items from Minoan history but whisked away before we were able to view other rooms and other eras.

Off to the town centre where we assumed we would have some time to potter around the shops and see some hand made items. How wrong we were! Our guide walked us, at pace, to the town centre (I lost Glenys in a jewellery shop – she didn’t realise we weren’t stopping). At the town centre (not terribly interesting) our guide exclaimed “the TOWN CENTRE!”and threw her arms out wide and head back as if it were the absolutely best place you’ll see.

“I’m going now. You have 20 minutes free time to, you know, look around”

She was absorbed by the crowd but managed to call out “watch out for pickpockets here, there are lots of them”

Our earpieces went quiet and she disappeared. Her legs were a blur.

Our visit to Crete has ended and we are off to a 2 day stay in Athens.

More later…

Nike, Goddess of Sneakers

Ephesus, 10th May

Ok, slightly out of sequence but this is a carving of Nike, Goddess of something but I missed this so I have renamed her Goddess of Sneakers.

I started this post with Nike as I thought it was a great title. Who am I to complain when a catchy title grabs you?

Apparently the Nike company used the swish of her dress as the swish on their sports items. I know I’ll never look at another pair of Nike shoes in the same way.

My friend Sue said it was odd that she was the Goddess of Sneakers as she wasn’t actually wearing any shoes. I said that was because Gods and Goddesses are above such worldly things.

So back to the beginning.

We floated into Ephesus and I was able to capture this lovely sunrise. Unfortunately I was standing on our deck in my PJs when the tug boat chugged past. I waved a cherry good morning. I mean, what else could I do?

Our expedition today was to the ruins of the Elite Roman houses in Ephesus. I commented (more than once, I have to say but when you find a funny phrase it seems rude to not repeat it) that I was a good fit. You know, ruins, my age… No one found this amusing. Boring lot. The Ephesus authorities are doing a wonderful job restoring and re-building some of the properties that have been discovered.

At the entrance to the collection of Roman ruins.

Mosaic pathway alongside the road which has “traction” grooves cut into the limestone to assist with foot traffic.

Difficult to see but there is a pipe on the left towards the back of this picture. This was part of the original plumbing works. My outside plumbing was in a worse condition 🙂

Beautiful mosaic floor that led from the entrance to the lounge

The entire structure is covered by specially designed roofing to protect the site. It was like walking through a greenhouse – insanely humid.

Upside down, I know, but I don’t have my edit programme so I had to leave it as is.

The Orient Arcade. Sorry, I just thought this sign was classic.

I had a Daily Pet Peeve but I forgot to write it down so I don’t remember it. If I think of it later I’ll update.

I managed to resuscitate my hat by ironing the brim so I wore that today. Unfortunately the brim now is a bit wavy. I tell people that I did Jillaroo work (a lie) and my horse (don’t have one) threw me (never happened) and trampled my hat (also didn’t happen) which is why the hat is in such poor condition.

Did I mention that stocky (read overweight) American chap who was very grumpy because I was taking too long in the food line? Well, he was there again this afternoon so I managed to position myself in front of him and dithered for an extended time over the salad bar.

Harrumph all you like, pal.

Tomorrow we go to Rhodes.

A Turkish Ferrari

Cappadocia, May 7th

Another day at the Fairy Towers only this time we were visiting some cave churches and monasteries and some more, you know, pointy tower things…

Swarms of tourists started plodding up the shale and gravel path to the cave churches and this very enterprising middle aged (looked 90) chap, spruiking business, said he would take anyone up to the caves on his camel, or, as he claimed, the only Turkish Ferrari in the area.

I was tempted to help him with his advertising blurb – Turkish Ferrari, one owner, advanced emissions control system (see blue plastic bag strategically placed), will go for miles, green power, only needs water.

A tree, because I had reached cave overload

Istanbul to Cappadocia

Monday 5th May

Left the swanky hotel in Istanbul bound for Cappadocia early Sunday morning. I’m not sure I’m really cut out for a cruise way of life but the bonus is someone tells me where to stand. We arrived at the smaller airport (forgot the name, sorry) and had to lug our baggage to the far end where our gate was. 2 sets of security, self serve boarding pass (everyone in the airport needed assistance for the self serve which makes you wonder why they call it self serve) and then board.

Tour of Cappadocia started as soon as we landed and, after the flight and anxiety of being unable to communicate, I was zonked before we reached the first stop.

It appears the Turks like to name things with appropriate titles that have significance to the land site or history of the area such as Pigeon Valley named thus as there are lots of pigeons in the area.

The first place we visited is referred to as Fairy Towers owing to the odd rock structures.

I think a more appropriate name would be the Phallic Fields. I didn’t share this gem with anyone.

Bit of scrambling up shale and gravel and then we descended into the Underground City, appropriately named as it was a city and, well, underground. apparently the underground dwellings were still inhabited until the 1950s. Many dwellers rejected the offer of free housing as they preferred the underground caves.

I went all Indiana Jones (see pic below) and started humming dum-de-dum-dum, dum-de-dah… which no one appreciated (they’re a dull lot) but everyone laughed when I walked through a tunnel without ducking my head. Yeah, super funny, extremely tall American dude. Sorry you had to bend double to get through.

We were told that the local police still use one of the caves as their police station.

Next was the journey to our hotel. We drove past some truly spectacular scenery, extremely dry but with fields of luscious weeds (no idea) which was heavily irrigated so really green.

I’ve been away from an internet connection for a few days so have forgotten exactly what we did. Best stop here and post again with further updates.

Round stone used to block the passageway. Looks like the moon, no?

Glenys, open mouthed at the wonder of the cave ceiling

13 days and counting…

My first post documenting my Grand Tour 2025 and the lead up to it.

Today’s picture is an artist’s impression of me on my journey.

It is completely false.

To start with I’m not hiking anywhere and secondly I have LOADS more stuff to take so considering employing a porter to help with my bags.

They say using electronic devices is much better and more convenient but I’m a notepad and pencil sort of person so making the transition to a digital blog has been a challenge. Plus, paper and pencil means just that – paper and pencil – whereas digital means I have to pack iPad, stand, cables, keyboard and charger.

Anyway, stay tuned.