Turkey

Istanbul and Eceabat(Gallipoli National park).

12-19th Sept 2009.

		No Bikes this year! But a great tour of Istanbul and the Gallipoli Peninsular.
Sat 12^th Sept. An easy start with a 9.55 (sl)Easy jet flight from Luton to Istanbul Sahbina Gokchen on the Asian side of the Bosphorus straights. We arrived in clouds and rain, but this had cleared by the time we got to Istanbul city centre. After some moving around(changed to hotel Empress for 1^st night) we got set and took a walk to find some food, only having had a bacon sandwich all day. We found a great looking streetside restaurant with a “Traditional” Turkish menu. Great food and a good bit of banter with the waiters. We got chatting to Emma an Austrailian touring with her Aunt and got some good tips for where to go and what to see in Istanbul.	Sun 13^th Sept. Woken at 5am by the call to prayer at the Mosque directly across the road from the alternative hotel. After transferring back to the Amber hotel a day for sightseeing. The Blue mosque, Hagia Sofia and Topkapi palace on the itinerary for the day. The blue mosque was interesting, beautifully tiled and carpeted. The Hagia Sofia was somewhat disappointing as it has refurbishment work in progress and there is, at present, a huge scaffold tower in the middle of it, still a lot of history and some wonderful mosaics. In the evening we booked a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus, which was fantastic, lots of entertainment an enjoyable 4 course meal (grilled fish or Chicken) all inclusive drinks and some interesting characters.		Mon 14^th Sept. Another big day starting with another room change! Then off to the Grand Bazar, for some serious window shopping, 4800 shops with leather goods, shoes, Turkish lamps, carpets and trinkets the highlights. Lunch in a kebab house, an afternnon cruise on the Bosphorus and the Spice Bazar. All rounded off with dinner at the old fishing harbour in Kumkapi overlooking the Marmara sea.
Tues 15^th Sept. A car delivered to the hotel at 9.00am then the 350Km drive from Istanbul to Kodacere to the fantastic Gallipoli houses owned by Erik and Ozlem, and the Canakale suite! A swift break after the drive and then Anzac Cove and Suvla bay. On the way back we stopped at Kaba Tepe for a swim in the Aegean sea, bracing but wonderful. Back from the beach and an hour to chill out watching the sun go down from the terrace, a glorious sunset then to the main building for a gorgeous 4 course dinner. A quick chat with Erik helped us plan the trip to Troy.			Wed 16^th Sept. A day to discover ancient Troy! We got the Eceabat ferry to Canakale and a short run got us to the visitor centre. The first thing as you enter is a mock up of the wooden horse. Then a visitor route which takes you around the ruins with explanations about the 10 eras of Troy all the way around. From Troy we went to Kumkale the site of one of the diversionary attacks of the 1^st World War Galipoli campaign and some large gun emplacements that defended the Dardanelle straights from the Asian side. After this we drove back up to Canakale for the ferry back to Kilitbahir on the European side. A swift run back to pick up towels and off to Kabatepe for a spot of snorkelling. Then back to the Gallipoli Houses for a sumptuous meal of freshly caught Sardines.
	Thurs 17^th Sept. Today finds us on the First World War battlefields proper, with an excellent guide organised by Erik and Ozlem. First to Eceabat to Collect Bullent and then on to CapeHelles via the Dardanelles defenses. A very emotional tour of the landings and subsequent battles of April to December 1915.
Fri 18^th Sept. We started today with a tripto Lala Baba in the Suvla area, overlooking C beach, walked from the beach to the CWGC Cemetery then back to ANZAC Cove and the Kaba Tepe museum. After this an hour at the Kaba Tepe beach, where, whilst snorkling I found a spent .303 case. Then the drive back to Istanbul. Traffic was ok until Istanbul wher the city was almost gridlocked Dinner at Kalamar restaurant, recommended by a friend was outstanding		Petra's Gallery	Sat 19^th Sept. Packing to come home! We had time to take a walk to the Cavalry Bazar and pick up a few souveniers