« Return to the Gallery « Return to Turkey
Almost three years to the day, I return to Turkey to film an episode of Word Travels, heading east this time (with a stop to ogle Istanbul), to experience the sunrise of the gods at Mount Nemrut, get lost in a sandstorm in Harran, and enjoy the taste of Turkish hospitality.
North to the Black Sea, and a beautiful, sleepy coastal town of Amasra. A popular weekend getaway for Turks from Ankara, Amasra has Byzantium castles, enterprising youngsters and magical views. A few days vanish into thin air and its time to head back to Istanbul, catching in a few sights before my tour of Turkey comes to an end. Click on the thumbnails for more info.
Three million years ago, a volcano erupted in the Cappadocia region, creating a fantasy land of fairy chimneys, modern cave societies and (call them what you like) penile rock forests. A few days in Goreme is like a few days on another planet. Following my Gonzo instinct, I go against the flow and decide to visit Ankara, Turkey’s capital city. Click on the thumbnails for more info.
A night bus south to the town of Selcuk, a base to explore the massive ruins of Ephesus, but even better, a spring water swimming pool in a mandarin orchard. Further south to the lakeside town of Koycegiz, boat cruising past 2000-year-old rock tombs to the glorious Mediterranean. A day later, I jump off a mountain, paragliding over the Blue Lagoon in the world-famous Olu Deniz. Click on the thumbnails for more info.
A day at Sziget, the largest music festival in Central and Eastern Europe, produces some interesting characters and adventures. After the party, I pack up for the East, arriving in the only city that straddles two continents, Istanbul. Mosque Alert! Dramatic minarets pierce the skyline in this ancient of city of awe and magic. Click on the thumbnails for more info.