Turkish Delight

It was a rainy evening in the vibrant city of Istanbul when 17 faces joined together to create a new Odyssey “family”. We are about to embark on a 6 month journey taking us through 16 countries filled with opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Our new family includes 7 members from Great Britain, 4 from Australia, 2 from America, 1 from Canada, 1 from New Zealand, 1 from Ireland and 1 from Mexico. Quite a diverse group with nationalities and also age ranges from 27 to 67, but all looking forward to a trip of a lifetime!

Our journey starts

Vai, Juan, Kathie, Angela and Mark in Istanbul, in front of Hagia Sophia

Louise in Hagia Sophia

Most of group spent the first day waiting at the Uzbekistan Embassy for our visas!

And the waiting continued...

Our first meeting with the majority of the group was a day outing by local tram and bus to Istinye on a mission to get our visas for Uzbekistan returning in time for the official pre-trip meeting and group meal. We dined on local cuisine in Sultanahmet before preparing for a full free day to explore historic Istanbul.

The Blue Mosque

Our group meal in Istanbul

Penelope in Istanbul ready for her first drive with the group

Unfortunately, the weather turned stormy so made for a trying time when crew shopped in the local markets for fresh food for our camp nights and also performed the final  touches on our truck and ‘home-on-wheels’, Penelope.

Angela is ready to meet the truck!

The group meets Penelope in the early morning

Jodie (Trip Leader) provides a briefing on the truck

The sun returned as we left Istanbul in the early morning for our drive along the Turkish coast to the town of Eceabat. Strong winds made for an exciting tent demo by driver Paul but we were a happy (and lucky!) bunch to be invited the camp’s Boomerang Bar to take refuge.

Our friendly host, Mesut,  invited us to bring our kitchen equipment inside to prepare our meals as the strong winds would have made cooking outdoors quite difficult! Our first meal was a Mexican feast of fajitas and nachos and some group members got right into Turkish customs and tried the local drink, Raki, as well as a few Efes beers.

Paul (driver) getting some exercise at our breakfast stop

Vai and Angela enjoy their first day on the truck

Louise & Jonathan enjoy the ride

Penelope visits a memorial enroute to Eceabat

Turkey flag

Preparing our first lunch indoors at the Boomerang Bar

Our seaside camp near Eceabat

Ruth, Dave, Steven & Vai enjoy drinks at the Boomerang Bar

Jodie, Angela, Christine & Juan prepare a Mexican feast

Penelope ready for bed

The winds subsided the next day so we had a fabulous day exploring the historic and moving battlefields, beaches and sights of Gallipoli with our guide, Bulant. With the 100^th Anniversary of Anzac Day approaching, there was much construction of seating and staging being set up as many dignitaries from around the world have been invited, along with many families of those who fought in the battles.

Sunrise over the Dardanelles

Penelope enjoying the sunshine after rainy Istanbul

Local guide, Bulant, provides a history of Gallipoli

Paul ready for a drive around Gallipoli

Group photo at Anzac Cove

Walking along the beach to Ari Burnu Cemetery

Penelope visits Gallipoli

Christine reads more history

Ataturk sign

Shell Green Cemetery

Group at Lone Pine Cemetery

Bulant explaining the trenches

We spent our second evening cooking at the truck and relaxing by the sea back at the Boomerang Bar.

Our campsite near Eceabat

Lunch time at the truck

Memorial in Eceabat

Christine relaxing by her tent

Victoria catching up on her journal

Amanda making plans

Steven tries Lions Milk - raki with water

Dave keeps his place in the shower queue

Angela & Vai in their "home sweet home"

Making dinner at the truck

Ruth & Jodie prepare dinner

Last evening at the Boomerang Bar with host, Mersut

Moon over our camp

The next morning, we took Penelope and the group on a short ferry cruise to Canakkale. It was only a 20 minute crossing but the group made every minute count with several boat-themed songs sung, including the Titantic theme!

Sunrise through Penelope's eyes

Penelope on the ferry to Canakkale

We're on a boat - see our hands!

The Titanic choir

Paul wishing he could drive the boat

Angela & Christine enjoying the ride

We visited Troy enroute to our destination of Kusadaisi. Several of us climbed inside the famed wooden horse… actually we’re not sure that it was the real one, even the Trojans should have figured out the ruse if they’d seen the Greeks waving from the windows of the ‘garden shed’ on the horse’s back!

Penelope looks super cool amongst the boring buses at Troy!

Juan says hello from inside the horse

Ruth and Lindsay say hello too

Ruins of Troy

Some of us try to do the YMCA in the shados of the Troy ruins

After exploring the surrounding ruins, we enjoyed lunch roadside with views of olive trees and snow-capped mountains in the distance.

We arrived in the early evening in the busy resort port of Kusadasi to a rather hidden campsite off the main seafront road. We cooked up a mere 6 dish meal of Turkish kofte and vegetables while enjoying a few drinks before retiring to our tents.

Roadside lunch stop near olive groves and snow capped mountains in the distance

Jonathan (or Mickey Mouse) flapping dry plates at our lunch stop

Paul and Penelope ready for the drive to Kusadasi

Angela, Dave and Emma sporting their fashionable Odyssey t-shirts!

Our camp in Kusadasi

Dave & Emma digging into our 6-dish dinner

Blue sky and sunshine made for a wonderful relaxed morning by the sea. Everyone had time to wander or shop or visit the castle… which we found out was closed… but some found a nice security man to allow them in! The crew presented a tasty Turkish lunch which included fresh bread, rice-stuffed grape vines, hummus, tzatziki, and meze style plates. Our glorious afternoon was spent wandering the stunning ruins of Ephesus with an evening of curry and bottles of Turkish wine.

Sunny Kusadasi

Free time means fun for Angela & Vai

Steven, Christine and Emma find a nice man to let them into the closed castle!

Jodie prepares a delicious local Turkish-style lunch buffet

Stunning Ephesus

Christine & Dave at the library at Ephesus

Ruth & Lindsay taking in the sights at the Amphitheatre

Victoria exploring the ruins

Jodie makes new friends at Ephesus

Paul reading up on the history of Ephesus

Curry for dinner with Victoria and Paul at the woks

Our first full day drive brought us to Pamukkale for our two night stay in a local hotel. Our group enjoyed their free time to relax, explore and see what this small town has to offer. A few adventurers decided on paragliding over the famed pools and gorgeous scenery and everyone had a chance to sample local cuisine, such as Gozleme.

Group relaxing upon our arrival at the hotel in Pamukkale

Penelope enjoying her poolside view

Louise geared up for her paraglide over Pamukkale

Up, up and away!

Ruth up in the air

Bread and gozleme making

Gozleme for dinner

Our group had a fantastic day exploring the amazing calcite travertines, ruins and hot pools of Pamukkale and Hierapolis, and we ended our stay with a BBQ dinner at the hotel.

The group at Pamukkale

Jodie & Paul - happy crew!

Christine loving the sights

Mark & Juan

Steven enjoying a paddle

Paul and his face mask

Jodie decides to take a dip

Group rest their feet in the warm waters

Ah, relaxing

Juan, Victoria, Emma & Angela taking it all in

Stunning terraces

Hieropolis at Pamukkale

Paul soaking up the stunning sights

Ruins of Martyrium of St Philip

Katie enjoying a swim in the thermal waters

Paul goes for an underwater view

New use for a hair dryer...  fire starting!

Jodie with our BBQ chefs

Pass the bread - Christine & Dave

Ruth & Lindsay happy with their vegetarian feast

Louise, Amanda, Kathie & Jonathan enjoy the BBQ

Wine cheers all around at our group meal

Leaving Pamukkale for another day on the road, we stopped in the small town of Cay (Tea) to pick up some food shopping and also some Turkish Delight (or Lokum) which one of the local shop owners kindly gifted us. Local children were excited to see our big orange and blue truck grace their main square. We then found a closed weigh-station with a nice gazebo and a mountain view for a random lunch stop!

Odyssey t-shirt power with Dave & Victoria

Quick food shop with Dave & Vai

Local children were excited to see us in Cay, Turkey

Roadside lunch stop

It was time for our first bush camp of the trip with a great little spot between Konya and Aksaray. A sunny day turned into a cold night, but our Chili con Pollo dinner and a campfire helped to warm us all up… not to mention all the hot water bottles and extra blankets that started appearing on the truck!

Penelope scouting out her bush camp for the night

Setting up tents at the bush camp

Excellent spot for a camp!

Paul making our first campfire

Cook team worked their magic with chicken

Happy chefs

A successful bush camp

Breakfast time at the bush camp

Waking to a warm, sunny morning we headed on to the fairytale land of Cappadocia. After some scenic photo stops, we arrived at our campsite, which overlooked some of the fascinating scenery. Three nights here allowed everyone time to explore the area and also get some time for relaxation and, of course, laundry and internet! We decided to eat at a local restaurant in town to try the region’s ‘clay-pot kebab’ – smashing!

Welcome to Cappadocia!

Paul & Jodie = happy crew!

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Steven!

Emma takes in the breathtaking fairy chimney views

Group hugs are always a good thing!

Angela welcomes us to Goreme

Lunch time at camp

Lunch with a view

Room with a view

Afternoon drinks in Goreme

Group meal at a Cappadocia famed-meal, clay pot kebab... smashing!

An early morning start was made worthwhile for those who went hot air ballooning and all had a fantastic experience peacefully floating over the amazing rock formations in clear, sunny skies.

Hot air balloon getting ready to go

Up and away for sunrise over Cappadocia

Penelope watches the hot air balloons

A beautiful morning for ballooning

Juan taking in the glorious view

Ruth and Lindsay in their balloon basket

Our group landed safely... ON the trailer!

Angela & Vai celebrate their balloon adventure

Later, everyone enjoyed a full day tour of the valleys, rock-churches, fairy chimneys and underground cities that the region is famous for. There was also a pottery demonstration which some appeared to enjoy a little too much…!

Nazar, the amulet for protection

Angela with many nazars

Mark exploring the underground city

Victoria exploring the cave system

Angela getting some pottery lessons!

That evening the ‘enjoyment’ was aided by the all-you-can-drink Raki and wine at the ‘Turkish Night’ in Avanos. The Whirling Dervishes, Belly Dancer and local folkloric performers had nothing on the Odyssey group who tore up the dance floor for the entertainment of everyone from Turks to Swedes! Woo-Hoo! That rock-hewn furniture was definitely not made by Ikea!

Evening meal at "Turkish Night"

Angela & Emma enjoying unlimited drinks

A whirling dervish

Belly dancer

Our group joins in on all the dancing

Jodie with her pancake breakfast treat of real Canadian maple syrup brought from home!

Amanda and Lindsay diggin' in to Canadian breakfast

Dave and his twirling local ice cream, dondurma

Vai and Mark explore the landscapes

Lindsay, Ruth and Amanda take in the views

Horses await riders

Fairy chimneys

Stunning scenery near Goreme

Turkey flag amongst the fairy chimneys

Stunning scenery

Louise exploring the narrower parts of the landscape

Ham time for Kathie, Christine, Angela & Emma

The hamburger production team... Angela, Juan & Christine

Dave and his lovely chips

Vai enjoying the cozy cave for some campers

With the weather changing and rain on the way, those people who decided to sleep the night underground in the cave rooms under the campsite were pleased not to have to pack up wet tents as we left Goreme to head north-east towards the Black Sea.

Good highways (and a lunch-stop at a scenically located gas station with not one but TWO gazebos!) took us as far as Zara, then it was time to head up into the hills. The weather wasn’t great but the scenery was (when we could see it!). A decision was made, in the interests of the safety and comfort of the truck and the group, to abandon the idea of bush-camping in favour of stopping for the night at a hotel in the small town of Sebinkarahisar - a place that probably doesn’t see too many foreign tourists, but allowed people to enjoy a good local meal and a warm bed to sleep in.

Paul sees.... snow!

... which is better than seeing nothing!

Next morning the weather looked much better - Penelope & Jodie outside our hotel

Jodie buying bread for lunch at the local bakery

It seemed a doubly good idea the next day when we reached one of our potential bush camp areas… a high pass at over 2200m that turned out to be buried under a thick blanket of fresh snow! We stopped to throw snowballs, make snow angels and take photos then carried on down the other side, the improved weather and long, slow descent allowing us to appreciate the beautiful mountain scenery. It was the first time one member of our group had seen falling snow so was a memorable day!

Fantastic drive

Lovely scenery

Oh, weather turns... at the 2,200m pass!  Glad we didn't camp here!

Time to make the most of it - group photo in winter wonderland

Jodie makes a snow angel

Amanda's first view of falling snow!

Angela & Dave are all smiles

Time for a snowball fight

Or a bit of snowball juggling by Jonathan

Our Canadian tour leader seems right at home :)

Our drive down the pass

Beautiful valley

We arrived at the Black Sea and drove east along the coast, stopping at the picturesque little town of Tirebolu to have lunch below the castle and next to the harbour. The friendly owners of the café there welcomed us and even found a friend with the keys to the castle who could let us in to see the view from the walls. We were even lucky enough to spot a couple of dolphins in the harbour!

Lunch stop at St Jean's Tirebolu Castle

Paul & Jodie play with lunch bread

All hands on deck for lunch team

Lunch is ready

Dave, Amanda, Louise & Jonathan watch a local dog play soccer

Cay (tea) time by the Black Sea in Tirebolu

Penelope enjoying her view of the Black Sea

Jodie presenting the Black Sea

Dolphins spotted!

Continuing east, past Trabzon we then headed inland again, and back up into the rain, to reach our camp near Macka. This year, the winter and spring in Turkey have apparently been particularly cold and wet and the unusual weather continued as we drove the short distance to the base of Sumela Monastery to find ourselves being snowed on! Group members even came across a busking snowman up at the monastery!

Our camp near Sumela

Jodie, Amanda, Jonathan & Ruth prepare dinner

Dave wondering what we are having for dinner

Jodie wokking it up, riverside 

Ta da!  Chicken pesto pasta

With fresh Ruth-made bruschetta

Breakfast time with Amanda & Ruth

Snow starting to fall at Sumela monastery

Group hugs to keep us warm

Angela & team enjoying the snow

Sumela is picturesque in the snow

Sumela Monastery

Snow at Sumela

Angela and Emma with their busking snowman which attracted much attention

There may be snow, but there is always sunshine!

This is the way we do it!

More snow!  Jodie jumps for joy!

Louise enjoys hot soup for lunch

Our last meal in Turkey, near the border into Georgia

Our lunch set up looking good!

Lunch time by the Black Sea

Steven with his big loaf

We enjoyed hot and tasty meals cooked off the truck and the group was very happy to have a hot lunch of soup and fresh local bread after a snowy trek to the monastery. We visited the town of Macka for food shopping before devouring a pot of hearty stew and dessert of local cakes in honour of celebrating our last evening in Turkey.

We are off to the border of Georgia in the morning. Turkey - one great country explored, 15 to go! We’ve had a lot of fun and an adventure with various weather but we are a united “family” ready and prepared to take on all that this lifetime experience has to offer! J