We have just spent a fantastic 4 days in Istanbul, a city that everyone should visit at least once. Between the vehicular traffic, the pedistrian traffic, trams, and boat traffic on the Bospherous all combined with a normal population of about 14 million it is a city on the move. We have had good weather, cool and windy but no rain!!
The main tourist stops have been hit with the exception of the Aya Sophia due to a glitch in our guesthouse accoomodations as we had to change rooms which the put is way back in line, about 100 yards at least, so combined with that and the people aready inside we elected to go the Grand Bazaar and then back to the Galata Bridge. The Bridge is always teeming with people and fishermen and is the main entry to the Sultanamet area of town where most of the hostels and hotels are. It's also the oldest area of town and contains the Aya Sophia, Blue Mosque, Palace and numerous other sites.
We even got to go fishing today with some locals. We had bought a couple beers and went down to the water below the bridge and they let us borrow their poles. All the fish are about 3 to4" long that they just fry up and eat, quite tasty actually. We each caught about a dozen in no time at all. Between that and buying a new cooking pot that was the accomplishment for the day.
Tomorrow morning we ride to the airport for our 1:30 flight to Bangkok and our battle with the floods. Last news we could get is the airport is open and parts of town are under water. We plan to ride south and east along the coast towards Cambodia so we'll see what our arrival brings.
My only comment of inerest is CATS//the city is teeming with them; friendly little buggers and awfully cute; of course coming from a cat lover; so i got my cat fix; next stop asia where they may end up on my plate!
will try to get a few pics on next!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Ankara
After a wonderful time in Goreme, Cappadocia we headed east to Urgup and then south thru Mustapasa continuing thru a quiet valley bottom with lots and lots of apples and grapes for the picking eventually arriving in Songali the next day. It is a quiet village and see not much in the way of tourists. There are supposed to be some old churches but we were a bit old churched out by that time. From Songali it was on toYesilhisar - a big city that one really has no reason to linger in, and we didn't other than picking up a few groceries.
We continued south by south west towards Nigde but turned back north on a side road reaching Golcuk and camping in a field where we were sure we wouldn't have any visitors. Other than the farms going by on their tractors, a dolmus coming by filled with local women who gave us big loaf of bread and a local family who returned with 10# of potatoes for us-we kept a few and left a thank you note.
From here is was on to Derinkuyu and a large underground city, various levels that reached about 150' down. It was/is hard to imagine that thousands of people lived down there for months at a time escaping persecution. There we booklets for sale but no room on the bikes but if you google it I'm sure you'll find lots of interesting info.
Heading west again to the Ihlara Valley was an interesting ride through potato heaven, even saw a few loads of sugar beets!, and headwinds. The valley was created by the cooling of rocks after the volcano Hassan Digi blew it's top thousands of years ago. It is a lovely valley with a small stream, lots of trees (more apples and grapes) and lots of caves containing churches and homes. We hiked about 4 kilometer to the lower / middle of the valley and, contrary to the Lonely Planet, there were no rides to be had back to Ihlara Village so we hiked back - only about 2.5 hrs each way anyway. Next day was further north to Selime by bike and a monastery at the northern end of the valley. The monastery was one of the most interesting places we visited - it housed many monks / students for quite a period of time with kitchen areas, food storage, winery, stables, church etc. Well preserved.
We are now in Ankara @ Annette &Jeff's apartment living in the penthouse suite overlooking the town. We are enjoying a short R&R and waiting to clear a package from customs before heading to Bangkok and potentially Bali before Vietnam. We toured Atattuk's Tomb on Saturday and Sunday with Annette & Jeff's landlord when out to a local lake where I was able to go sculling and Sally got in a small run and a bit of time in a boat herself. Hopefully the package will be released tomorrow and then Wed we'll head to Instanbul for a few days to see the sights there. We've only been here since Friday but already getting antsy to get back on the bikes.
We continued south by south west towards Nigde but turned back north on a side road reaching Golcuk and camping in a field where we were sure we wouldn't have any visitors. Other than the farms going by on their tractors, a dolmus coming by filled with local women who gave us big loaf of bread and a local family who returned with 10# of potatoes for us-we kept a few and left a thank you note.
From here is was on to Derinkuyu and a large underground city, various levels that reached about 150' down. It was/is hard to imagine that thousands of people lived down there for months at a time escaping persecution. There we booklets for sale but no room on the bikes but if you google it I'm sure you'll find lots of interesting info.
Heading west again to the Ihlara Valley was an interesting ride through potato heaven, even saw a few loads of sugar beets!, and headwinds. The valley was created by the cooling of rocks after the volcano Hassan Digi blew it's top thousands of years ago. It is a lovely valley with a small stream, lots of trees (more apples and grapes) and lots of caves containing churches and homes. We hiked about 4 kilometer to the lower / middle of the valley and, contrary to the Lonely Planet, there were no rides to be had back to Ihlara Village so we hiked back - only about 2.5 hrs each way anyway. Next day was further north to Selime by bike and a monastery at the northern end of the valley. The monastery was one of the most interesting places we visited - it housed many monks / students for quite a period of time with kitchen areas, food storage, winery, stables, church etc. Well preserved.
We are now in Ankara @ Annette &Jeff's apartment living in the penthouse suite overlooking the town. We are enjoying a short R&R and waiting to clear a package from customs before heading to Bangkok and potentially Bali before Vietnam. We toured Atattuk's Tomb on Saturday and Sunday with Annette & Jeff's landlord when out to a local lake where I was able to go sculling and Sally got in a small run and a bit of time in a boat herself. Hopefully the package will be released tomorrow and then Wed we'll head to Instanbul for a few days to see the sights there. We've only been here since Friday but already getting antsy to get back on the bikes.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Cappadoccia
weve had a nice relaxing R and R here in cappadoccia, after a day long ,night of buses from the black sea coast. It was quite a shock at first to be surrounded by tourists of many nationalities although Ide say that the Germans won overall. We looked at some less than desirable campistes close to town and settled for a hotel room and not much more money. The room is nothing fancy but huge with a balcony and our own couch and we can watch the world go by, not to mention do our laundry hang the clothes out to dry and evencook on the balcony..most of the the fancier places and pensions are quite small not to mention more expensive and tourists. we have the pension all to ourselves this timeof year and that suits us just fine.
Cappadoccia is pretty amazing surrouded by cliff dwellings strange rock formations etc its difficult to describe in words..great hiking oppertunities all around. We skipped on the hot air balloon rides but enjoyed watching them from the clifftops. This region they grow grapes and make their own wine, and yes we have indulged in a couple of bottles although the cheaper stuff is pretty dry but better than no wine.
we are leavingfor a small circuit of the region biking camping and more hiking and then will return to Ankara, we we have a girllfriend from alaska living there and have a package to pickup from AK. Stan still wants to hit the mediteranean and ephesus?? we shall see. The weather right now is perfect. It has finally cooled down and all the colours are peaking. The evenings are cool but lovely.
Cappadoccia is pretty amazing surrouded by cliff dwellings strange rock formations etc its difficult to describe in words..great hiking oppertunities all around. We skipped on the hot air balloon rides but enjoyed watching them from the clifftops. This region they grow grapes and make their own wine, and yes we have indulged in a couple of bottles although the cheaper stuff is pretty dry but better than no wine.
we are leavingfor a small circuit of the region biking camping and more hiking and then will return to Ankara, we we have a girllfriend from alaska living there and have a package to pickup from AK. Stan still wants to hit the mediteranean and ephesus?? we shall see. The weather right now is perfect. It has finally cooled down and all the colours are peaking. The evenings are cool but lovely.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Off to Cappadoccıa
We have ended our Black Sea rıde at Cıde, wonderful lıttle town. We have had great weather sınce leavıng Sınop, countless hılls, have seen some fantastıc country that ıs really rıch ın fruıts, veggıes and fısh. We are ın excellent shape for clımbıng hılls on loaded bıkes - actually met 2 Swıss guys headıng east wıth loads that made ours look tıny so that was a posıtıve note that day!! We are ın Ankara waıtıng for a 1:30 bus to Cappadocıa and ıt was a good call to end the Black Sea today - we would have had a strong headwınd, raın and haıl.
All along the coast has been fıshıng boats of all sızes from small famıly rowboat types to large commercıal fıshıng vessels. The fısh ın the market ın town has been really good. We,ve been able to camp just about anywhere we want along the water, permıssıon requested and ıt has been fun to hear the call to prayer echoıng thru the hılls as we rıde along.
Hopefully thıs tıme I wıll get pıcs on!
Lıfe ıs good and we are enjoyıng the trıp, Turkey and each other!!
Stan
All along the coast has been fıshıng boats of all sızes from small famıly rowboat types to large commercıal fıshıng vessels. The fısh ın the market ın town has been really good. We,ve been able to camp just about anywhere we want along the water, permıssıon requested and ıt has been fun to hear the call to prayer echoıng thru the hılls as we rıde along.
Hopefully thıs tıme I wıll get pıcs on!
Lıfe ıs good and we are enjoyıng the trıp, Turkey and each other!!
Stan
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Sinop
After endless hills the past two days we have finally arrived at Sinop and what is supposed to be the eastern edge of a highway similiar to HWY 1 in California. Hopefully we won't have hills like the past two days. Just when we thought we might be at the top it just kept going and of course the downhills were too short.
After a long downhill into town and then more downhill to the water we have found this great little city. Tomorrow we climb back out and head east. The weather forecast is good for the next few days so it should be some great riding. Would like to do more pics but as you can imagine it's a slow process. Will get a bunch put on at some point!! All is well
Stan & Sally
After a long downhill into town and then more downhill to the water we have found this great little city. Tomorrow we climb back out and head east. The weather forecast is good for the next few days so it should be some great riding. Would like to do more pics but as you can imagine it's a slow process. Will get a bunch put on at some point!! All is well
Stan & Sally
Sinop
The bus ride to Samson was great and got us through what would have been a day riding in a torrential downpour. Since getting off the but the weather has been good and the country side is a lot like a cross between Marin Country and the San Jauquin (sp) valley in California. Rolling hills, lots of agriculture and especially today narrow roads with considerable traffic.
After leaving Samson we have hit a spell of good weather and the views have been spectacular of the Black Sea, fishing villages and endless hills. Just when we think we've topped out the hill continues. The downhill sides always seem too short. We thought we had an easy 50 k ride today into Sinop, a beautiful fishing village founded in the 8th century BC, riding along the coast. WRONG Hill after hill after hill and there was no coastal route available. However we have found a nice LITTLE room just 40 TL and just meters off the water Where did the period key disappear to. oh there it is again!! After endless hills we had a long downhill into town and then more downhill to the water and our hotel with a great view of the harbor = only south facing harbor on the Turkey Black Sea coast. Tomorrow we'll continue our ride east, with favorable weather forecast per WeatherUnderground. Yesterday my front pannier fell off during a rough section of road construction thru some little town and last night I was able to temporarily fasten it on with a zip tie and it seems to be holding. Fortunately I should have a new pannier by the time we get to Ankara.
I'll try downloading some pictures but have had trouble on the last few computers getting the computer to recognize the camera. Trust us that the scenery is great as are the photos. It may not be until Ankara that we can get pictures downloaded but we'll keep trying. If there are some here with this blog you're in luck.
We are doing fine and enjoying the ride. Hope to find some fresh cheap Balik for supper tonight!!
Stan
After leaving Samson we have hit a spell of good weather and the views have been spectacular of the Black Sea, fishing villages and endless hills. Just when we think we've topped out the hill continues. The downhill sides always seem too short. We thought we had an easy 50 k ride today into Sinop, a beautiful fishing village founded in the 8th century BC, riding along the coast. WRONG Hill after hill after hill and there was no coastal route available. However we have found a nice LITTLE room just 40 TL and just meters off the water Where did the period key disappear to. oh there it is again!! After endless hills we had a long downhill into town and then more downhill to the water and our hotel with a great view of the harbor = only south facing harbor on the Turkey Black Sea coast. Tomorrow we'll continue our ride east, with favorable weather forecast per WeatherUnderground. Yesterday my front pannier fell off during a rough section of road construction thru some little town and last night I was able to temporarily fasten it on with a zip tie and it seems to be holding. Fortunately I should have a new pannier by the time we get to Ankara.
I'll try downloading some pictures but have had trouble on the last few computers getting the computer to recognize the camera. Trust us that the scenery is great as are the photos. It may not be until Ankara that we can get pictures downloaded but we'll keep trying. If there are some here with this blog you're in luck.
We are doing fine and enjoying the ride. Hope to find some fresh cheap Balik for supper tonight!!
Stan
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Trabazon
We had a beautıful rıde from Erzumum through another spectacular canyon and down to the Black Sea at Hopa. It was a refreshıng rıde wıth a bıt of raın and lots of strange green stuff called trees and tea. Sally got a good ,video of the tea pıckers sendıng the tea downhıll ın a lıttle cable car but you will have to waıt to see that one. The rıde to Rıze was ın more or less a constant raın. We stopped once and got ınvıted onto a boat and had a wonderful breakfast wıth the two man maıntenance crew untıll the raın stopped. The boss man ınvıted us to hıs home, actually hıs parents house as he lıves wıth them, at 36 yr old, untıl he gets marrıed ın two months. We accepted the offer but problems arose and we never met up so we got a hotel room as we were waıtıng for hım ın a downpour that lasted about 3 hours!!!
Next mornıng, yesterday we rode on ın beautıful weather can camped along the water ın a small town. If the chaı shop would have had a pool table ıt would have been just lıke Brush where I grew up wıth all the old men playıng cards ınstead of golf on the snooker table. Ugly clouds last nıght but small raın and a beautıful rıde today of 30km ınto Trabazon, Quite the cosmopolıtan cıty, bıg port. We wıll bus to Samson tomorrow and rıde to Asmara. somethıng lıke that about 300km to the west.
From there the plan rıght now ıs bus to Cappadocıa and see that area before bussıng back to Ankara to see Annette and then bus or traın to Instanbul. Turkey has been great, the people wonderful. If they would just pıck up the trash ıt would be perfect!!
Next mornıng, yesterday we rode on ın beautıful weather can camped along the water ın a small town. If the chaı shop would have had a pool table ıt would have been just lıke Brush where I grew up wıth all the old men playıng cards ınstead of golf on the snooker table. Ugly clouds last nıght but small raın and a beautıful rıde today of 30km ınto Trabazon, Quite the cosmopolıtan cıty, bıg port. We wıll bus to Samson tomorrow and rıde to Asmara. somethıng lıke that about 300km to the west.
From there the plan rıght now ıs bus to Cappadocıa and see that area before bussıng back to Ankara to see Annette and then bus or traın to Instanbul. Turkey has been great, the people wonderful. If they would just pıck up the trash ıt would be perfect!!
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