Turkey | FindPenguins

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Trip start
October 1, 2024
Turkey BoomerangTravellers
Dalyan, Ortaca Mugla
October 1, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Istanbul’s special lounge was perfect for the wait
Due to flight schedule changes that made us late.
Relieved to disembark into the warmth of Dalaman
Car hired to drive to our unique AirBnB in Dalyan.

The small but neat space serviced all our needs
It’s spacious surroundings certainly did exceed.
Multiple dogs and kittens friendly in anticipation
We were more interested in our first exploration.

Along by the river the boardwalk we did take
Amused by the stalls selling items that are fake.
Ancient cliffside rock tombs made us stare
As well as the river turtles rising up for air.

Cocktails alongside expats in the centre square
People watched whilst locals got called to prayer.
Chilled awhile playing a game of connect four
Then took the ferry to the river’s opposite shore.

There, lakeside we followed a well worn path
To the infamous Sultaniye Kaplicari mud bath.
The ritual of covering ourselves in mud we did perform
Followed by a good rinse & a float in waters very warm.Read more
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Turkey BoomerangTravellers
Dalyan continued
October 3, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
From the surrounding citrus & pomegranate trees
Vitamin filled breakfast juices freshly squeezed.
Cycled down to Dalyan Strait’s bustling harbour
It’s multitude of vessels creating a small armada.

Took the ferry along with a flotilla of boats
Traipsing up the hill & bleated at by goats.
Reached the ruins of Kaunos Ancient City
Interesting to explore and really quite pretty.

Stopped abruptly by a donkey approaching our car
Lunched on handmade gozelme in Candir’s bazaar.
Splashed around in a free formed lake to refresh
Hydrated with juices again under its shady mesh.

Day trips to Marmaris and Iztuzu on the Aegean Sea
Waterfront lunches of fresh fish and sweet black tea.
Evening cycles or walks along the meandering river
The rock tombs aglow yet the moon just a sliver.

Visiting the Hammam can easily become a ritual
Once used to the ordeal it can feel quite spiritual.
Scrubbed, foamed & hosed whilst on a marble slab
Complete with a massage followed by a local kebab.

As the sesame and pomegranate harvests commenced
Appreciated our stay with our knowledgeable residents
Erdem & Zima are such a hard working couple
Truly making our Ortaca vacation memorable.Read more
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Turkey BoomerangTravellers
Ephesus, Selcuk
October 6, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
The 4 hour drive to Selcuk was rather uneventful
Arriving to wedding celebrations made it joyful.
Our accommodation clean, spacious with no fuss
Midnight at Izmir airport collected Romana to join us.

A typical Turkish breakfast with such an array of plates
Homemade cheeses, preserves and fresh fruit we ate.
Before visiting the museum of local archaeology
With tombs and statues linked to ancient mythology.

Onto Kusadasi an extremely popular cruise ship port
With beautiful views across Guverunada Island fort.
Market alleys with decorative lanterns that sway
Groups of men focused on their Okey game play.

Joined an excursion to understand Ephesus ruins site
Learning how Romans and Greeks suffered their plight.
Restorations ongoing revealing buried mosaic yards
Scaffolding support the ancient library’s iconic facade.

Ironically I was Romana’s age when visiting before
Interesting to see, but the tourist crowds we abhor.
Yet smiled and petted the numerous cats that roam
Stretched our legs around Virgin Mary’s birth home!

Next a compulsory stop seeing how they carpet weave
Indulged in a substantial lunch but just wanted to leave.
Onto the quaint village Sirince where we walked for an hour
Famous for its winemaking which we found was rather sour.Read more
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Turkey BoomerangTravellers
Pamukkale, Denizli
October 9, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
From Ephesus’s pristinely preserved latrines
Another long drive to Pamukkale’s travatines.
A bucket list experience of this unusual landscape
Where hot spring waters carve out amazing shapes.

The cotton castle terraces a stark calcified white
Sunset reflecting in it’s pools a spectacular sight.
In the Hierapolis, Apollo sits carved by stone masons
Overlooking this natural, deep, odorous water basin.

Stayed overnight at the luxurious Hotel Pam
Wallowed in thermal mud pools and swam.
Too soon we left the history of an ancient era
Heading south to the stunning Turkish Rivera.Read more
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Turkey BoomerangTravellers
Turkish Rivera
October 11, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Roads are well sealed the paved towns a delight
Nestled red roofed homes painted bright white.
Against which cactus figs and oleander bloom
And youngsters on old motor scooters zoom.

In an Oulidinez apartment we made our base
Felt a little unwell so slowed down our pace.
Mesmerised as paragliders land on the beach strip
Swam at many beaches during a daylong boat trip.

Out in rural Pinara we spent a whole afternoon
Clambering boulders checking out rock tombs.
Plus an amphitheatre & agora from Lycian times
Completely free to enter but also had no signs.

Kayakoy is a hillside abandoned Greek town
Silently left standing, it’s eerie to walk around.
A contrast to Marmaris & Fethiye with their busy streets
Where it’s great to shop and indulge in traditional eats.

Felt a cool change when visiting Salikent Gorge
As through chilly waters we steadfastly forged.
Grateful water levels low albeit season end not the best
Refuelled waterside, on overhanging seating taking a rest.

In another Turkish bath we spent our last day
Pummeled for an hour and by the pool did stay.
Culminating with a meal at a rooftop bar
Under a fiery sunset and twinkle of stars.Read more
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Turkey BoomerangTravellers
Goreme, Nevsahir
October 17, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Pre dawn car return, 2 flights then collected another
Absorbing most of our day but was worth the bother.
Arriving at our very special Cappadocia cave hotel
A gorgeous stone walled room in which we’ll dwell.

Hopeful the wind drops enabling the hot air balloons
Filled up with a balcony meal under a rising full moon.
Local specialty of kebabs cooked in clay pots
Dramatically sliced open, the meat piping hot.

Alongside Gozleme which always seems to please
Chris enjoyed a kunefe, with sweet stretchy cheese.
The following morning greeted us with a fierce wind chill
But discovering this unworldly landscape would be a thrill.

First stop an open air museum endorsed by UNESCO
With multiple religious caves adorned with frescoes.
Avoiding a very steep stairway up to a church
I huddled behind a rock claiming a good perch.

Time has weathered this unreal geological creation
Providing plentiful shelter amongst odd formations.
Century old caverns connect back to Christianity
More commonly known as Göremes fairy chimneys.

Rose and Red Valleys plus another one of Love
House many flocks of pigeons and wild doves.
Pilgrimages taken leaving tokens of the magic eye
Enhances a perfect backdrop for a balloon filled sky.🤞Read more
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Turkey BoomerangTravellers
Cappadocia, Turkyie
October 18, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
The wind finally stilled and our anticipation grew
4am alarm then a steep hill climb for the best view.
As gas fuelled hot air whooshed, piercing the morn
Huge, graceful, sphere shapes, silhouetted the dawn.

Theatrically spinning and drifting, slowly close by
Majestically rising & dipping in the brightening sky.
Awesome to witness so many hot air balloons afloat
Turkey’s must see experience certainly wins my vote.

Kaymakli was a large city built underground
The deep labyrinth of tunnels totally astound.
Dug to ensure locals were kept safe and secure
Bent over double was happy to escape for sure.

Chris required a shave so entered a barbers
Swiftly caped up and his face fully lathered.
The cutthroat, razor sharp did expertly glide
Experience displayed & executed with pride.

A final street walk and with the evening crowd mingled
Göreme’s uniqueness highlighted with lights that twinkle.
As the temperatures tumbled down below zero
Sad to leave but our return flight is tomorrow.Read more
TravelerAnother good read as are all of the reports and pictures
4/7/25Reply
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Trip end
October 20, 2024