turkey – Rhudimentary

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.

We say farewell to Troy

9th May

So far we’ve had 3 go down with a tummy bug; 1 hospitalised and 2 confined to quarters. All fine now.

Day 3 and conversation has segued to medical complaints, current illnesses and joint replacements. Our team won because Buddy (not his real name but he’s American so why not) was able to dislocate his titanium thumb and relocate it. Double points because Fergie (not her real name either but she has red hair) used to be a medical parts supplier and she was able to identify the titanium joint by description and model number. Go team!

Yes, we’re a wild and crazy bunch.

I mentioned to Glenys that it felt like we were on one of those All In Holiday Camps where every minute was accounted for and there was no actual down time. We are currently hiding in our cabin to avoid the dinner crush.

Forgot to mention that we located the laundry which was a blessing and I made a new friend. Jenni from Atlanta and I swapped stories about possums, rats, raccoons, wolves, cane toads and other species brought in to control rodents, etc. I almost made a crack about guns and hunters but decided against that, just in case. I also haven’t mentioned Donald Trump although I have made regular cracks about Meghan Markle and her flower sprinkles. She seems fair game the world over.

The current game is called “Guess Where I’m from, y’all” (that bit was added due to the high proportion of Americans on the ship). So far no one has guessed Wales for Glenys and I keep changing my accent so they have no idea. My new friend Jenni can speak a bit of Klingon 🤷🏻‍♀️ so others have trouble with this too.

BTW, these stories are mostly true or at least based on fact.

Anyway, we are leaving Troy and, to end on a somber note, the following picture is of the Gallipoli Memorial. Quite spectacular in its simplicity, guarding the coast and acting as a reminder to us all of the tragedy of war and the affects it has on all of us, both immediate and for future generations.

A life on the ocean breeze

Troy, continued, May 9th

Two days into the cruise and I think I’ll create a team for Competitive Eating. There are some BIG eaters here. Quite difficult to find vegetables although salad is abundant. You’ll be pleased to hear we have found a tea and coffee place where, I’m told, they provide a nice afternoon tea so we’ll be trying that tomorrow.

So far cakes have been a disappointment, probably because I am comparing them to things I usually bake. Clothes still fit so I’m ok with keeping the weight off however I have already pulled back on food consumption.

Pet peeve: UHT milk. I know fresh milk is difficult to keep on board a ship and we can’t all have a cow (I don’t, just saying…) but the UHT milk makes my tea taste yuck although it is better than powdered milk.

Troy

Friday May 9th

This morning I got up at 6am so I could experience the journey through the Dardanelles. The sea was very calm and no breeze so quite eerie.

We are now docked in Troy and seem to be the only people on board ship. Everyone left for the day or else we’ve been taken over and the kidnappers didn’t know we were still in our cabin.

We’ve had a wander around and can advise you that we have found the Bayeux Tapestry, although I wasn’t aware that it was missing.

Always on my mind, I have found a new toy for Taffie. I’m sure she’ll love it. Seems perfect. No price which is always a concern however….

Conversation I had with Glenys while enjoying a leisurely breakfast with no-one else in the cafe…

Glenys: “look, I think that’s the Hagia Sophia”

Me: “we’re in Troy, not Istanbul”

To be fair, we are both still quite tired and each day is currently blurring into the next.

More later when something interesting happens or when I have something to say. Or not…

Istanbul

Thursday 8th May

Note to self… if you wear shorts to the mosque and you expose your knees, you will be told to wear this attractive skirt, that others have worn before you, and you will be a laughing stock. Just saying….
You’ll note this chap is trying the “looking cool wearing a skirt”. In my opinion the only man to look cool in a skirt is a Scotsman wearing a kilt.

We went into this amazing Mosque (name escapes me, sorry). It is much smaller than the Blue Mosque but is decorated with 6 times the number of blue tiles. It was quite stunning but I really wish the tour guide would have shut up, giving us the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere.

One thing I could have done without is the young American, wearing very low slung pants, crouching down on the carpet so he could take a photo of the ceiling. Those behind him were awarded an expansive view of his butt crack. Some people have no shame. I managed to take the following picture of the ceiling without exposing my butt crack. If I could do it, so could he.

Following the visit to the Mosque, we went to the Spice Market where I had hoped to purchase some saffron. No luck. Lots of Turkish delight but no saffron, despite what they said… Like most things in Istanbul the crowds were insane and the atmosphere super humid.

Tonight we set sail (motor) for Troy.

See ya,

Leaving Cappadocia for Istanbul

Cappadocia, May 6th

For our last night in Cappadocia we were entertained by a local dance group. I say entertained as a loose term. A troupe of male dancers came on and did their best to entertain a group of seriously exhausted travellers. We had been warned by the tour guide that the night was for the dancing, not the food. She was right.

One of the male dancers was a star, or at least he thought he was a star. He was ok really, as were they all, I’m just being critical. I shouldn’t criticise because I can’t dance to save my life. Anyway, he was a standout and not for his dance skill. He was very tall, blonde and he had a man-bun (a pet peeve of mine). He was very fond of doing a shimmy even when no-one else was doing one so obviously the shimmy was not actually part of the dance routine. The men went through 2 costume changes until finally Man-Bun was able to show his true skill. He came on with a red shirt, black pants, long black boots and he was wearing a white pork pie hat. As it wouldn’t fit over his man-bun he had it perched forward over his eyes. I’m telling you, he looked just like the Construction man from the Village People. Same dance moves and everything.

He just loved the crowd and did a LOT of shimmying to raucous applause.

Next to come on was a female whirling dervish (and here was I thinking whirling dervishes were only men). She had created her own choreography and, I have to say, there was a lot of whirling but not much dervish.

The last act was a belly dancer. As my old dad used to say, it must be jelly ‘cause jam don’t shake like that.

He was right.

I had to take a photo although it didn’t turn out too well. I wanted to get the belly dancer looking her best and she was very keen to show off her performance assets.

Next, Istanbul

See ya

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

Meet the Flintstones…

A stay in a cave hotel, Cappadocia, 6th May

The Cave hotel was authentic, rustic and dusty however, quite charming, in its own way. It was converted into an hotel from a small village, many years ago, so it stretched on forever with windy, uneven paths and LOTS of steps. No mishaps but there was a wedding in the restaurant, conveniently situated 3 metres away from our room, so we had “un-cha” music for a few hours. They also had a light show using an industrial strength flame thrower that was operated in time to the music. I think it was a second gig for the Hot Air Balloon operator as he really seemed to know what he was doing.

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.