Beautiful Turkey

TURKEY !!!! After a quick ride in a boat that looks more like a rocket flying on the surface of the sea, we arrived in the port of Fethyie at sunset. The golden light of late afternoon embellished the port and gives a much welcoming atmosphere of this beautiful country and this continent. I had to search for a place to sleep ... it will be on a terrace of an hostel, with a view overlooking the illuminated bay.

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The next day, I do not idle, let's go towards the Saklikent gorges! Early in the morning after a good Turkish breakfast, I go into the dolmus to Saklikent. Arrival at the feet of this majestic natural site, I embarked with two Australian mums and a Turkish guide. The most critical time is from the beginning when we have to cross the river. Once the current passed and legs soaked having tasted the icy water temperature, we continue through the gorges that shrink more and more. The obstacle that will take us on a way back is a small waterfall that we must climb. Despite my attempts, we had to turn back. Indeed, having a jet of cold water rushing into your head, to pull a rope at arm's length and rocks on which you put your feet are ultra slippery, all this is not really easy..

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Once back, the tourists have invaded the place. We return to Fethyie. On the way, and in the countryside, the road is lined with family restaurant. Women, headscarf and large apron on the hips are preparing the dürüm (pancake-like bread) on large hob looking like billigs. On the way the driver go through small villages. Women and children boarded. At one point, some men embark. I am mesmerized by the azured eyes of these old men with white hair, the worn skin by the sun and their Turkish hat. They discuss in Turkish and laugh. Back in Fethiye, nap during the heat peak of the day and then walk in the heights of the city to an archaeological site of tombs carved into the rock.

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Coming back for sunset and tasting of the gozleme with ayran yogurt on the docks.

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I went around the old market and tasted Turkish delight. The next day after a nice evening in a trendy neighborhood, I accord to myself a lazy day on a boat.. The boat in going from beach to beach. Many boats are doing the same lap and Turkish families benefit at each stop to cool off in the water. So we went to Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, Camel beach, etc .. We saw sea turtles, hundreds of fish, an ancient city ruins on an island, paragliders flying down to Oludeniz, a spring of very cold water coming out of a small pond on the coast funds ...

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Evening quieter because the next day is the big leap !! Well I do not have pictures, but Monday morning it's my first paragliding experience..so! how to explain.. IN-CRE-DI-BLE .. (see article in my quick notes for details)

Back at the hostel, I took the bus to go to Pamukkale. Meeting Lobke from Belgium, on the bus to Pamukkale. We discover the site at nightfall. The reliefs of this majestic white circus are emphasized by lights. The next morning we leave early to this famous site. Prohibited shoes, we walk barefoot the main track. On the rough ground, our toes welcome the warm water tickling them. The sun came out and we are dazzled by the bright white around us. Only the drought of the site reminds me again how much water is precious on our beloved planet. The ponds normally forming pool-balconies are empty and appear less attractive.

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On the heights of this thermal site, there is a city previously built by the Romans. It is still possible to see some remains such as the theater, the temple of Apollo, or the Agora .. If you tickle the curiosity, it is still possible to see details in the carved stones such as friezes leaves and flowers. It was possible to see the room in which the olive oil was made.

Again, the tourists arrive in waves, bus after bus, people crowded into ponds for wading in the warm water which is somewhat refreshing, but might be curative, or who knows .. it seems sometimes be the theater '' that will find the best place to make a picture '' ..

I keep on my journey at the beginning of the afternoon to Izmir. A bus then another and here I am in the center of this great city, population swarming there. I can feel a mixture of euphoria and displeasure. I learned later that we are on the eve of the national holiday in honor of Atartuk. Demonstrations are also underway with respect to soldiers killed in the war that is happening in this September. I follow a Turkish man who helped me tremendously in finding the hostel.

We arrive in a small street lined barber stalls, kebab and other selling spices and alcohol. The hostel must be in one of the streets that escapes from this small basard. Once at the end of this famous street, we find a '' white guy '': Sebastian, a Belgian. He exclaimed looking at me 'you are looking for lotus hostel!' 'Pleased to meet a traveler, I acquiesse with a smile, he retorted' I was looking for you everywhere !! '' The Turkish man who was helping me asked, a bit surprised '' do you know him? '' And Sebastian spontaneously said '' of course! she is my fiancee! '' In a surprised impulse, I took part to his little game. Having turned back we find the famous lotus hostel. An old house renovated by a young couple with a sense of welcoming and happynessand do not hesitate to show us their great project! We spend the evening with them and sleep embarked everyone on the stroke of midnight ..

The next day a wonderful breakfast is ready in the garden and for 4 TL (so really cheap), we share all the little dishes prepared by the couple.

Once on the bus, I quickly found myself in Küçükkuyu then some time later to Dedetepe Eco farm .... (see article in Volunteerings)

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After ten days of idyllic life, I took the plane to Istanbul. There, the plane is the same price as taking the bus, then the choice is quickly made .. Here I am in the small airport Edremit. The plane is late ... 45 minutes after the scheduled time, we took off. The plane climbed into the dark sky, we barely have time to take a snack offered by the company that the plane starts to descend on Istanbul. Once out of the airport, that is well outside of the megalopolis, on the side '' Asia '', I had to take a bus to get to Taxim, then funicular, then subway and here I am in the tourist district of Istanbul, '' Sultanahmet ''

The two large mosques (the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia) are in front of me, like sleeping after tourists passing. I cross the square that connects them and go to the district where the nightlife is at its peak, wedged between the Bosphorus and these two great ladies. The entrance to the hostel is next door to a travel agency. I take place in the dorm, my dormmates are already in the arms of Morpheus. I go to the terrace to feed myself and take a beer with Ücel (pronounced yujel), the friend of Samimet that allowed me to find a good price for this bed. Ücel showed me the sights to see in Istanbul. I asked him to show me the spots for shopping. My mission for my last day in Europe, find small gifts for my friends in Quebec.

Once the beer finished, a list of places to shop and a meeting point with this fellow, I leave myself meet Morpheus. 9:30 the next day, we take a çay (tea) before facing the tourists in the great bazar. We go to on the Spice Bazaar after, the Grand Bazaar. The negiociations are more easily with my accomplice. We laugh well when it's my turn to negiociate and I start to speak Turkish to the seller! On the way we pass around the neighborhood where the Turkish buy some of their clothing. They make more purchases on the Asian side, so it was my next destination for shopping. I leave Ücel after enjoying baklava in one of the best places in Beshikas district and made a quick tour at the New Mosque, which is just as beautiful as the others. '' Thank you again to you Ücel! '

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After a big day to complete my list of gifts and end with the last precious present I wanted to do, I grant my way to the hammam. Half an hour in the damp atmosphere of a marble piece. A Turkish woman gives me a skin peeling singing a beautiful melody. I'm so happy. It is in a cloud of foam that continues the experience. Here I am 25 years back, trying to do my washing by a temporary mother. Relaxed and well washed, I end up tasting an apple tea before returning to the hostel and sinking. The next day I fly towards Toronto and Montreal, BACK TO QUEBEC!