Turkey is such an amazing country, steeped in history and culture and with incredibly diverse scenery and landscapes. Once again we were warmly welcomed by the people and have so many stories to tell, but for now a ‘few’ pictures must suffice until we are up to date.

Turkey – 21/5/16 to 8/6/16

We are often asked to have our picture taken with the locals – here we are overlooking the Old town of Ankara
In the countryside north of Istanbul – the apartment blocks just seem to rise up from the paddocks
Lovely lady making and selling her wares at the wall to the old fortress – only about 3000 years old.. the walls that is! As you walk the up the stairs you ‘run the gauntlet’ of ladies saying ‘madame.. mine please’
This historic cistern in Kas on the spectacularly beautiful south coast, dates back to 5th century B.C. It was so very cool on a 40 degree day and is still used to store foodstuffs etc
Ephesus – the Bouleuterion (assembly house) housed the meetings of the council (boule) as well as musical performances and contests – erected around 100 A.D. … Now that’s old! It is huge – standing at the top people below look like tiny birds.
Turkish coffee served in style… and it was good!
Sugar n spice n all things nice – Ankara Old town market.. an absolute delight to all the senses. We bought dried apricots and cranberries.. the best we have ever tasted.
Beginning in the 4th century A.D, these Cave dwellings near Goreme in the Cappadocia region were carved in the solid rock by monks. There are also whole cities that go down many levels in the rock and underground. Many are still being found / explored today
This cat has no inhibitions – lying in the shade of a tree at Ephesus on this 40 degree day – there are many, many stray cats… must be left behind by Cleopatra when she visited here so long ago
The library of Celsus – one of the best restored ruins in Turkey. Built in honour of a Roman senator – it was completed in 135 AD. ‘Oh what a feeling’ to walk there, to be able to touch it and let our minds wander back to imagine what it was like in that time!
Getting ready for lift off at around 4am near Goreme in Cappadocia region. In busy times there can be around 150 balloons in the air. We had 50 this day. It was still a sight to see and another unforgettable experience
One very ‘cool cat’!
Column of Constantine Porphyrogenetus in Istanbul – 10th century A.D. …… and a very clever Span to hold it up for so long!
The famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul was completed in 1619. It is UNESCO World Heritage listed. It can hold up to 10,000 people. We had to take off our shoes and I had to wear a scarf to visit. Absolutely wondrous inside
Turkish tea called çay is brought to the shopkeepers by these young lads… such a beautiful face and he had deepest, deep brown eyes
Camel ride anyone? We rode past this fellow several times and he hardly seemed to move!
He sat all day in the heat weaving these wonderful colours – no pattern to work from – so very clever!
Early afternoon at Lake Beysehir Gölu – south west Turkey – a cool respite on a 38 degree day
The Tuzgölü salt lakes in central Turkey are SO vast. Salt is harvested for sale, as well as many therapeutic goods made from the salt. Skin felt great after a paddle!
Just had to get the Vstrom out of the sun for a wee bit! The entry to one of the many cave dwellings in Rose Valley near Goreme
The fairy chimney rocks near Goreme – there are SO many of them. Monks carved dwellings and lived inside.. rarely did they come out. They were supported by the local community
It was a sight to see ….. 50+ colourful balloons in the air over Cappadocia at sunrise
Nature at it’s best!
We stayed down at the very end of the narrow spit so far below on Lake Egirdir Gölü
A stunning sunset reflected on Lake Egirdir Gölü
We were lucky enough to be invited to see Turkish rugs being woven at Sentez. This is a silk one and an absolute work of art. This one more than $10,000…..
The aqua blue Mediterranean sea on Turkey’s south coast
A cool and tranquil harbour after a hot day in Fethiye
One of many beaches nestled into Turkey’s coast line on the Mediterranean Sea – so blue and so incredibly clear
The absolutely stunning travertine (limestone) terraces at Pamukkale. They are yet again a wondrous example of how clever Mother Nature is!
Lone Pine cemetery at Gallipoli – Thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of so many of our Aussie diggers and other allied troops, we are indeed able to be ‘Young and Free”
Dressed in local dress, this lady was selling her wares at Behramkale – Behram’s Castle, which is around 540 B.C.
An absolutely lovely young family who made us so very welcome on a hot day up in the hills in the village of Sirince near Seçuk. This must be a record for the most kids on a Vstrom at one time!
Ohhhhhh.. ‘don’t stop now’!!! An old dog near the Boomerang Hotel where we stayed in -Seçuk
Looking down from the top of the terraces at Pamukkale. The water is from warm springs and as well as a visual delight.. feels pretty good too
A bunch of Aussies on tour that we ran into at Gallipoli
Sun setting over the Dardanelles – looking across from Canakkale
The story of this statue is remarkable! It commemorates one of Turkey’s heroes Corporal Seyit. During the naval bombardment of 18th March 1915, his unloader was destroyed, so he carried and loaded a 275kg shell on his own to keep his gun in action. The film we saw showed that he sunk an allied ship with this shell.
A pigeon pair – such beautiful colour
Now that’s an angry face – we have seen more snakes in Turkey than we have ever seen in Australia
Found this incredibly moving…. So very Australian. We found the wild poppies nearby and left them as our mark of gratitude and respect.
Lone Pine cemetery – so calm and beautiful today..’Lest we forget’…
Ruins of the Church of Mary (The Council Church) – at Ephesus – early 5th century
One of many beautiful cool, clear rivers in Turkey in the Kodova Gölü National Park
Turkish pannier bags!!
This little bloke was happy nibbling the lush grass whilst waiting for his load
Three up .. and loving it. This is not uncommon in Turkey, and wearing safety gear is unusual
Ankara is THIS big!
Yep…. this one fits! One of the many, many ‘fairy chimneys’ – cone shaped rock formations near Goreme in the Cappadocia region
Lots of storks nesting in down town Seçuk
This place is considered to be the last home of the Virgin Mary. This chapel was built on the original foundations of the house that date back to the 1st and 4th centuries. Part of the building is 7th century, and the last restoration was in 1951. This site i.e. revered by Christians and Muslims alike
Looking back towards ANZAC Cove at sunset – now so calm and serene
Crossing to Gallipoli – this one is ‘wider than a fat ladies undies’!! No offence intended!
View down Pigeon Valley through the Nazar Boncuğu (evil eye) charm tree. We placed our own Nazar Boncuğu on the tree. It is said the ‘evil eye’ wards off bad luck, and it the eye cracks then it has done its job of protecting you. Making the turkish evil eye is a master trade that dates back more than 3000 years
Pigeon Valley, so named because of the 1000s of pigeons that are found here. They even have collection box for feeding them – Stunning views and even better hiking
We have come to like çay – Turkish tea – it is very refreshing. It was offered to us many times by shopkeepers, petrol stations …. just at anytime and anywhere
Ankara by night from our hotel window
The Turkish bridal shops were just beautiful
Everyone knows the story of the Trojan horse….. Look closely…. one brave warrior was left inside!!
This one is self explanatory. It was the deepest and proudest feelings that we felt when visiting here
Cheech and Chong!!! Our host in Goreme was a great guy
Bagels anyone – This guy went from door to door selling bagels to shop keepers
We saw this statue of a Turkish soldier carrying a wounded allied soldier at Pine Ridge. It is based on an incident reported by one Lieutenant Casey, who later became the 16th Governor General of Australia (1965). It symbolises the compassion and chivalry shown by both sides.
This lady was so funny.. she kept waving to us
Cemetery to honour the Turkish soldiers – also very beautiful and moving
Ankara by night – just lovely
Ancient Sarcophagus lying by the roadside at Behramkale, just near Assos. You can just see part of a child size one to the right. Assos is the city where the philosopher Aristotle taught and wrote some of his books.
Early morning in the very calm harbour of Lake Egirdir Gölü
Wild wheat at ANZAC Cove
Making Turkish pita on a very hot day…. it was very good
14th century Hüdavendigar Bridge near Behramkale
Security at the ‘House of the Virgin Mary was very tight… even for us ! This guy was good sport!
One of the many caves carved in the rock in Rose Valley near Goreme. You can see the black on the walls from the fires. And NO…. we did not leave the KooWeeRup sticker there! Putting the bike in there gives a idea of how bigg it is. Incredible to think we sat where people lived in the 11th century
In trouble AGAIN… parking too close to a Turkish cemetery at Gallipoli
Site of one of the first landings for the British at the west end of the Gallipoli Peninsula. Relics of landing craft and bunkers are clearly visible and accessible
This dear lady making items for sale as she sits patiently in the shade on a very hot day
A selfie at the Fairy chimneys in Rose Valley near Goreme
Watching these incredibly skilful ladies making silk Turkish rugs was a delight. They were so quick – their eye hand coordination simply amazing!
This is what makes riding through small villages such a treat! This little fellow so alert .. and cute!
Just leaving Egirdir and this wee fellow made us stop to allow him to ‘cross the road’.. And he was not camera shy!
Looking back towards Mount Dedegöl Tepesi south east of Egirdir
Another Turkish rug seller near one of the bigger underground cities
This bunker still pretty much intact – at the west end of the Gallipoli Peninsula

This video clip is amazing. These guys were in the middle of the busy freeway selling water on a stinking hot day!

The Turkish Riviera at Carili. We stayed here and had to walk a whole 100 yards to the water. The beach is all pebbles – no sand
Yet another ferry ride… #11 – across the straight to Gallipoli – we never tire of the ferry rides
To be able to walk through these trenches at Gallipoli gave us goosebumps. It was very moving indeed.
Turkish coffee served in style… and it was good!
V Beach Cemetery – a British cemetery at Cape Helles
The bike certainly puts the size of this ‘pirate ship’ into perspective – Fethye on south west coast. About 4000 British expats live here
The Vstrom enabled us to go to many places
We got thoroughly lost for about 2-3 hours trying to find our way out of the Köprülü Canyon in the Köprülü National Park, which is a mere 366km2. The canyon is 400m deep in parts and stretches for 14km along the Köprü river. The river was stunning … literally crystal clear and deep!
Early afternoon at Lake Beysehir Gölu – south west Turkey – a cool respite on a 38 degree day
Taking this back road to Cappadocia we saw some beautiful and very different Turkish landscape
Cape Hallas – an old canon lies in the grass pointing towards the Hellas memorial – a monument to those whose remains lie scattered across the 1915 battlefield. On the stone panels of its walls are the names of 20 752 British Empire servicemen who died in the Gallipoli campaign and who have no known grave; among them, 248 men of the AIF.
V Beach cemetery – The inscription on the main stone reads….‘Their Name Liveth Forevermore’
Beach Cemetery on the north coast as the sun sets over a very calm sea
We do eat healthy food too!
Another old canon we came across, just near the road
Looking down on ANZAC Cove. How daunting and terrifying it must have been for all those brave young men to look up at it back in1915
A ‘red’… golden oldie – Jawa motorbike
Modern Turkey reaching skywards to a very blue sky
This lady had but a few things for sale on the roadside near the Assos ruins at Behramkale
This is just beautiful – so very touching
Lovely colours
Giving the Strom a well earned scrub
One of the valleys near Goreme in the Cappadocia region, showing many, many fairy chimneys
A rather unique foot wash on the beach
This was a another funny experience. …The restaurant ran out of dark beer for us, so Span ran the guy down to the bottle shop to collect some more!
Turkish trenches
NO beach to speak of, so there are many small platforms for people to jump off into the clear, blue waters of the Mediterranean
Lake Kovada Gölu- at this point we were thoroughly lost.. trying to find our way out of the Köprülü Canyon in the Köprülü National Park,
Seeing the Cappadocia area by horseback is very popular. The grey sky is a lovely contrast of colour
Looking up into the brightly coloured hot air balloon canopy
People come to visit Rose valley and the Fairy chimneys and caves on all kinds of transport.
A lovely young couple from Ukraine who invited us for dinner at their farm stay where they were working
Span in a pensive mood … or maybe he is wandering what mischief he can get up to here!! The Vstrom an ideal bike for riding here..
Going Turkish.. all the way ‘with Auntie’
This place was simply captivating – such a unique area – these fairy chimneys so pointed with the passing of time. Can’t help but wonder what they looked like so many, many thousands of years ago!
The rose symbol for this town where pink wild rose petals are harvested for many uses.. jam, moisturising creams, oil, tea.. and much more
Looking outwards from a cave dwelling – guess this is window really
Getting ready for lift off in the hot air balloon
One of many very old bridges still standing in a Turkish village
Stone entry to the walls of the old town – they are around 3000 years old… and we were able to climb them!
A striking comparison of the old and the new in Istanbul. Looking through this ultra modern bridge to the Blue Mosque built in 1616
This picture shows just how many cave dwellings and houses there are in one small area. They must have taken a bloody long time to dig out!
Span pretty happy with himself! Ne had just ‘manoeuvred’ the bike into the courtyard via the small door over his left left shoulder. One very tricky operation indeed!
This young lass was in our basket for the Hot Air Balloon ride over Goreme – Noticed what she had written on the cover of her iPhone – just brilliant

This was hilarious…. John got the ‘full treatment’ at the Turkish barber in Ankara, including nose wax and burning off of Grandpa ear hairs.