After spending almost a week in İstanbul it's now time to explore the coast of Turkey, spending about three nights in each small town of interest. Time is really flying. I can't believe today is day 50 of this trip.
The first stop was a town named Canakkale, housing the legendary city of Troy and Gallipoli / Anzac Cove. Troy is so incredibly ancient. Eight cities were built one on top of the other, the first being 5000 years old. Our group's guide was an old War Historian, Allee, who tended to add heaps of crazy humour and colour to the endless facts he had in his head. It was great to have him also take us to Gallipoli and give us the Turkish side of the story to this battle.
We all got an overwhelming feeling of the futility of that battle and how ill-planned an attack it had been on the part of the Brittish commanders losing 250,000 young Aussies and NZ's to a gaining of no more than the length of 2 football fields (this point was subtly alluded to so as not to offend the 2 British tourists on our tour). We were however happy to hear Allee shed some positive light on the war. After many months of trench warfare, the men and commanders no longer felt it necessary to waste any more lives. Instead of grenades being thrown into the opposing trench it was chocolate bars! The Anzacs found a spirit which we would remember and commemorate for nearly a century and beyond and the Turks came to realise a new political leader who had commanded their counter-attack against the British, his name being Ataturk. This guy is a national hero. He died in the 60's, but his memory lives on in the countless memorials, posters and flags that you can see around every corner. Without him, the Turkish people believe they would be like Saudi Arabia. I'd be thinking the Turkish woman would be eternally grateful for that.
So far brilliant lasting memories have been forged of Turkey (if the wine and beer don't force any of it out). Since Canakkale there have been stopps at Bergama the home of the Pergamon Acropolis and the Red Basilica (mentioned in the Bible), followed by a town called Selcuk which has many ruins dating well before BC. St Paul, apparently brought the Virgin Mary there to rest after Jesus died. Ephesus was a grand ol'place, with the most intact ruins seen so far.
There are natural wonders abound here too, such as the calcium travertines of Pamukkale which are a natural spring highly enriched with calcium so that as it spews out of the mountain the water evaporates and leaves white terraces similar in shape to Asia's rice paddy terraces.
I have to add also, that I can't help feeling disappointed when one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World is supposed to be in your vicinity, like the Temple of Artemis, and you find out that all the good bits are in a museum somewhere else in the world. I actually dislike how museums operate in many ways now!
The first stop was a town named Canakkale, housing the legendary city of Troy and Gallipoli / Anzac Cove. Troy is so incredibly ancient. Eight cities were built one on top of the other, the first being 5000 years old. Our group's guide was an old War Historian, Allee, who tended to add heaps of crazy humour and colour to the endless facts he had in his head. It was great to have him also take us to Gallipoli and give us the Turkish side of the story to this battle.
We all got an overwhelming feeling of the futility of that battle and how ill-planned an attack it had been on the part of the Brittish commanders losing 250,000 young Aussies and NZ's to a gaining of no more than the length of 2 football fields (this point was subtly alluded to so as not to offend the 2 British tourists on our tour). We were however happy to hear Allee shed some positive light on the war. After many months of trench warfare, the men and commanders no longer felt it necessary to waste any more lives. Instead of grenades being thrown into the opposing trench it was chocolate bars! The Anzacs found a spirit which we would remember and commemorate for nearly a century and beyond and the Turks came to realise a new political leader who had commanded their counter-attack against the British, his name being Ataturk. This guy is a national hero. He died in the 60's, but his memory lives on in the countless memorials, posters and flags that you can see around every corner. Without him, the Turkish people believe they would be like Saudi Arabia. I'd be thinking the Turkish woman would be eternally grateful for that.
So far brilliant lasting memories have been forged of Turkey (if the wine and beer don't force any of it out). Since Canakkale there have been stopps at Bergama the home of the Pergamon Acropolis and the Red Basilica (mentioned in the Bible), followed by a town called Selcuk which has many ruins dating well before BC. St Paul, apparently brought the Virgin Mary there to rest after Jesus died. Ephesus was a grand ol'place, with the most intact ruins seen so far.
There are natural wonders abound here too, such as the calcium travertines of Pamukkale which are a natural spring highly enriched with calcium so that as it spews out of the mountain the water evaporates and leaves white terraces similar in shape to Asia's rice paddy terraces.
I have to add also, that I can't help feeling disappointed when one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World is supposed to be in your vicinity, like the Temple of Artemis, and you find out that all the good bits are in a museum somewhere else in the world. I actually dislike how museums operate in many ways now!
3 comments:
Hey Crazy Campbell
Life on the road is obviously agreeing with you - you're sounding very relaxed and well-informed. Many memories of Turkey are coming back to me with your little stories of ruins and futile wars. GLad to hear all is well with both of you. Had my first public meeting as an ecosure employee on Wednesday night - all went well and hopefully englezakis was suitably impressed. Take care and enjoy. Thompson xx
you never cease to amaze me roomy. with all the time i've spent in sharing a cell with you, i don't think, actually i know, i've never learnt so much. where did you tap into for that wealth of knowledge? i'm guessing mushrooms or the internet. wonderful thing that internet, can't see it lasting though. fashions come and go.
little info for you, as i'm sure the curiosity is killing you: as for the weather, it's been raining since last sunday; in federal politics kevin rudd has been dancing with strippers and has done wonders for his election campaign; in sport, the broncos are no longer in the top 8; in finance, thompson has given up the drink and yellow glen stocks have plummeted; and in local news, we've only had 3 morning teas this week.
looking forward to the next instalment. just be careful on the trains when passing through any tunnels, would hate to see you and 'the count', come back a couple of feet shorter.
Hey ratbag :) ;)
Damian and I are sooo jealous - sounds like you are having an absolute ball !!!
Keep up the blogging, you have had me in stitches every time.
Hugs and stay safe
Rel & Damo
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