WARNING : READ NO FURTHER, OR RISK BECOMING ADDICTED
Turkiye is certainly a different destination. But isn’t that why we travel? The experience will be unforgettable, and the longing to return is when the addiction starts. I am talking about Turkey, or Turkiye as it is now spelled. It has changed since my first visit there in 1972, but in essence it remains the same, and is made up of all the elements needed for a perfect holiday.
Geographically unique, you can take a public ferry in Istanbul, across the Bosphorus which divides Europe from Asia. Or you can take a ferry up the Bosphorus from the Sea of Marmara in the south, to the Black Sea in the north. Once there, you can turn left to Bulgaria, or right to Russia. That alone gives one an incredible sense of adventure and freedom. Whatever your interests are, you will be satisfied. There are magnificent Caucasus for hiking and climbing, inhabited by mainly nomadic people who move their flocks seasonally to better pastures. There are rushing rivers for white water rafting and fishing. Along the Black Sea coast, you will find vast tea plantations and forests of nut trees. Swimming here is not recommended because of the dangerous rip tides, but here you will be thrilled by small towns like Ordu, Unye, and Trabzon.
Historically, Turkiye is as richly embroidered as an Ottoman Sultan’s robes. You will be seeing centuries-old areas incorporated into what is now the modern country. There are many museums, art galleries, sophisticated shopping areas, and sprawling ancient bazaars. There are spice markets, subtly exuding the fragrance of exotic ingredients. There are old churches from Byzantine times, and stunning mosques which dominate the skyline. Five times a day, you will be aware of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer, and as there are many mosques, there are many muezzins, and their voices combine to deliver a reverential awareness of the country’s religion.
The space between the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sofia Mosque is a light and lovely area of grass, fountains, and gardens. In the summer, it is a favorite place for family picnics. It is near enough to the Bosphorus to attract wheeling seagulls, sometimes their harsh cries competing withthe muezzins’ calls. In winter, hot roasted chestnuts are sold — a welcome warmer in cold hands! In summer, mielies are roasted and are a popular snack. I heard the seller calling out what sounded like “soet”, but he was saying “sut”, meaning that his mielies were like milk. Other sellers carry a device on their backs which contains tea; stuffed mussels are another favorite taste. Kumpir are delicious stuffed potatoes, and for something sweet, you can’t do better than try the local equivalent of our koeksusters. You need never be hungry in Turkiye. And you should never leave without eating the famous döner kebab, where succulent lamb is roasted on a vertical spit and sliced off in golden slivers and wrapped in hot, crusty bread. Food becomes a real adventure whether you dine at a restaurant or on the street. Turks are very particular about their food. It will always be the best and freshest produce.
Taking a day tour in Istanbul is probably the best advice to a first-time visitor. Let a professional guide introduce you to the Turkish Delight. Let them organize your transport, and afterwards you will feel much more confident and familiar, and ready to set off alone the next day.
What about taking a Turkish bath? This is called a hamam. Rather expensive these days, especially in tourist areas, but if you ever find yourself in a rundown neighbourhood, take a deep breath and walk in. The building alone will be old and elegant. Marble columns and fountains have their place in the interior, which also has huge slabs of marble for your massage, and where you will be rinsed off and left to refresh, relax, and recover after your thorough scrubbing.
About accommodation, we find that once you are sure of where you want to be, and how much time you have, do some advance Googling to find suitable accommodation that suits your pocket. Ask all your questions regarding how to get there, and how to leave, etc., then make your booking.
Ron & Gill Dugmore have been visiting Turkey since 1972. Each year, at the ages of 83 and 94, they still travel — and this article and these photos are testimony to their latest trip.
