Turkey is another place that has been on the top of my list to experience for a few years. I had a feeling when I got there, I would want to stay at least a month, so a month was the plan.
I almost always travel alone, but this time a friend joined me with intention of staying 9 days.
Due to the limited time of my friend, I created a travel plan so he can experience as many of the “must see” places before he left. This is not my usual way of travel but is worked out nicely. He ended up extending his trip a few more days so he can experience Gobekli Tepe, considered to be the oldest Ceremonial site on earth – older than the pyramids of Egypt, and Stonehenge. Also in that area is Harran, a 5000-year-old city in Mesopotamia, where you will see the oldest University in the world, and the sacred pilgrimage site of Jacobs well.
We explored the major sites in the lively, beautiful city of Istanbul for 2 days, then flew to Cappadocia to fulfill a bucket list desire of Hot air ballooning over “fairy chimneys,” the tall, cone-shaped rock formations in Monks Valley, and the Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers).
We rented a car for the next 7 days, heading to Konya, the pilgrimage destination for Sufis – then off to the Turkish Riviera: lunch is Side, sunbathing in the stunning Mediterranean Sea in Antalya, and diving with some new Turkish friends in Kas.
Next, we drove to Pamukkale, the ancient Greco-Roman Hierapolis (Holy City), that was built on top of the travertine formation of mineral rich hot spring terraces. This area has been drawing visitors to its thermal springs since the time of Classical antiquity. Those of you who know me, know I was in total heaven emerging myself in water there 😊
We dropped off the car and flew to Sanliufa, for the exciting adventure of Gobekli Tepe.
After settling into our hotel, we went to a traditional restaurant, with live Turkish music, and the wildly “Raki” (national drink of Turkey) intoxicated patrons dancing all over the place. It was here, so close to the Syrian border, that my friend and I felt we truly arrived in Turkey.
Since my friend was going back to the USA, and I felt complete with my journey through Turkey, I went back also.
I had a wonderful time in Turkey, and so grateful I got to finally acquaint myself with a land engraved with humanities very ancient history. I found the Turkish people to be kind, and extremely accommodating. I have deep gratitude to Turkey and all the people I met.
THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU
“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!” ― Mae West
