But to travel ...: Turkey (28 May-12 June 2018)

Turkey has always been on our bucket list of places to visit. In retrospect it was the best place I have visited. We flew Turkish Airlines. We went with Save Travel and the package was R20 800 pp.

In Istanbul we stayed at the Byzantium Hotel & Suites. The hotel is situated in the Sultanahmet district and is close to tourist attractions, restaurants and shopping. We loved stepping out and exploring the tourist attractions and enjoyed eating at the Dervish Cafe and Restaurant, as it had a wonderful view of the Blue Mosque, and we could also people watch. However during Ramadan the menu changed to suit those who were breaking their fast, so it was a bit of a disappointment not to have dinner there. We used to stay out late and watch the spectacular sunrise over the Blue Mosque and watch locals and tourists congregating around this area. On the first day that we arrived, we ate at the Turquoise Terrace Cafe & Restaurant, and be warned that whatever is placed on your table, you have to pay for. First we had a basket of bread, which we thought was complimentary, then a two litre bottle of water was opened, without us requesting for it. We requested lamb, but it definitely tasted like goat. There is so much to see and do in Istanbul. We did the Bosphorus cruise and took the tram to Eminönü. One of our highlights was visiting the beautiful Gulhane Park. In the six days that we were there we only explored the Sultanahmet region.

Sunset over the Blue Mosque

Turquoise Terrace Cafe & Restaurant

Had our balik emek here

Beautiful Gulhane Park

Gulhane Park

Beautiful gardens at Topkapi Palace

In Cappadocia we stayed at the Cappadocia Cave Suites. It was like living in a cave. The next morning we arose to a stunning display of hot air balloons. We could also watch the sunset from the terrace. The hotel is so unlike the typical high rise buildings with dormitory style passageways. It had a communal feel to it, as we could stand in the terrace and chat, and people watch.We had a proper key to our room door. We booked the Red Tour with Fairyland Travel at a very reasonable price. We decided to bite the bullet and do the hot air balloon ride as well. We were picked up at 4am. What an awesome sight to see these huge balloons all lined up and ready to go. Getting into the balloon basket proved to be extremely awkward and funny, but the ride was so smooth. All the balloons landed squarely onto the backs of 4x4s.

View from Cappadocia Cave Suites hotel terrace


View from hotel room

In Kusadasi we stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton. Like all our other hotels in Turkey, this one was also close to restaurants and shopping. It was a perfect place to explore Ephesus and to visit Pamukkale. It was very hot here and and the tours required us to do a lot of walking in the midday sun. The umbrella and sun block didn't help much. But we enjoyed exploring and didn't want to be cooped up in the hotel room, even though our room was comfy and had a spectacular view of the marina and hotel pools. We thought our stay here was too long, but we always found something to do. In Turkey one drives on the right side of the road, one has to be cautious when crossing the road, as we are used to traffic approaching from the left. Once when we got off the tour bus, we decided to cross the street in front of the bus, and almost forgot to see the fast car approaching from the right. What if we didn't. that thought always scares me ...