Turkey Trip

13 December – Hyderabad → Delhi

18:00

Flight to Delhi.

20:00

Arrived at Delhi airport (T2 → T3).

21:00

Surprisingly no TRY for exchange.

14 December – Delhi (Transit Chaos)

01:00

Got to know flight is delayed.

02:00

Managed to get past immigration. Still didn’t allow saying flight is cancelled.

03:00

Flight actually cancelled. Had some dinner. Crew came at my gate. They handed out food coupons. Flight airbus 777 was cancelled.

07:00

Still no clarity on flight. Took an italian BMT.

09:30

Now there were two flights—one at 09:30 and one at 11:30. I took the 09:30 and got in.

10:30

Take-off.

11:30

Indian BMT was great in-flight.

Istanbul

15:00

Arrived at Istanbul. Got some cash.

17:00

Bus to Sultanahmet.

18:00

Walked ~3 km to Agras Hotel. Almost got hit by a tram. Bonded with an Indonesian on the concept of “Rupaiyah”. Observed that the little shops, mosques, and views blend beautifully.

19:00

Reached Agras Hotel (Kolb side).

20:00

Took a little siesta after the arduous journey and chilled out.

22:00

Took the metro to SAW to pick the rental car

23:00

Got flowers for Mixi otw

Istanbul (Exploration)

Sunday – 15 December

00:00

Went for rental car pickup.

01:00

Picked up the car, realized mixi is at the wrong airport. Was able to drive through the highway across the city to pick up mixi at the other airport.

02:00

I joked, i drove across the continent for you. Picked up mixi at the other airport.

02:30

Branded my rental car into a gate near Sultanahmet.

03:30

Police and tow truck arrived.

04:00

Reached Agas Hotel and slept.

08:00

Woke up for Sultanahmet.

09:00

Had a great breakfast platter of dips, spreads, bread, and cheese—loved the olives.

10:00

Blue Mosque.

11:00

Hagia Sophia.

12:00

Topkapi look-around. Paid and used washrooms.

13:00

Tram ride to Galata area.

14:00

Climbed up to Galata. Had a salt bae burger. had the famous san sebastian with chocolate cheesecake.

15:00

Walked across Bosphorus Bridge.

17:00

Grand Bazaar was closed sadly, headed to hotel to catch some siesta.

19:30

Headed for Bosphorus dinner cruise. Took transit.

20:30

The cruise was quite nice.

22:30

Tram ride back to hotel.

Istanbul (Police Station & Move South)

16 December

08:00

Woke up and headed to the police station.

09:00

Had breakfast nearby a small cafe—börek and Turkish chay.

09:30

Went from one police station to another. Sunni police to main police station. It was a long process and took most of the day.

12:00

Checked out and headed to the police station (took a cab).

14:00

headed to the metro for other police station. told mixi to stay at the metro, while I go and have a look at the station.

14:30

Police station was closed (under renovation), so went back.

15:00

Took lunch doners to go

16:00

Arrived at the istanbul ottogare for bus to Canakkale at last moment

17:00

Surprised by the hospitality on the bus.

21:00

Reached Canakkale and went to Adakale Boutique hotel.

22:30

Went on a stroll by the beach. Saw the famous trojan horse. Had a late-night dinner of a 0.5 cm donner suvak.

Canakkale

17 December

08:30

Went for a morning walk by the beach. Water was super clear.

09:00

Had great breakfast, a salami and mixed toast at a small café with a maximalist aesthetic. Also had Turkish kahve.

10:00

Enquired about the bus to Troy (Truva). The streets were beautiful, with colorful houses and beautiful facades —people relaxing and just living

11:00

(now issue was how would we get back)

14:00

Reached Troy ruins. The museum ticket prices were really hurting our wallets.

Explored the inner museum and then the ruins. A doggo showed us the way around the ruins. (i thought turkey was all about cats)

16:00

Had late lunch—rice in cabbage and sausage fries.

17:00

The cafe owners closed shop and offered to drop us back to Canakkale.

17:45

Returned to Canakkale. Had the best pair of paneer halvesi and topped it off with ice cream—it was the chef’s kiss.

1800

Checked out of the hotel, and literally everyone we met in the past one day waved as goodbyes.

18:30

Boarded bus to Izmir.

1200

Arrived at Izmir late, and missed our connection to Kusadasi. The bus driver was so kind he came with us to the ticket booth and helped us get the next bus to Kusadasi.

0030

Took the bus to Kusadasi.

0200

Reached Kusadasi, and then took a cab to hotel and slept

Kusadasi

18 December

08:00

Woke up and went to Walk along the beach. On back, cats everywhere.

11:00

Took shuttle to Ephesus.

12:00

Visited the ancient city of Ephesus.

15:00

Shuttle back to to Kusadasi.

16:00

Reached at Kusadasi. Told mixi to wait at the bus station, while I walked to hotel and picked up luggage. On the way I saw a very beautiful society of families and children playing in the park (what a beautiful life they have)

17:00

Boarded bus to Denizli.

18:00

By this point we were enjoying the onboard food and coffe served by the buses especially the nescafe.

21:00

Reached Denizli and took a shuttle to Pamukkale.

Pamukkale

22:00

Had gözleme and a doner wrap at a small mom-n-pop shop. where we talked with them and they bid us farewell.

19 December

08:00

Woke up to the sight of hot air balloons taking off.

09:00

Had a nice breakfast spread. One of the best things in turkey is the breakfast spread.

10:00

Walked towards the travertines. Wasn’t sure where was the entrance, we just walked where we could see the people going up.

10:15

Reached the travertines and walked barefoot over the pools.

11:00

Reached the top—quiet and peaceful.

11:30

Visited the museums and Cleopatra’s pool and cleansed our faces with the pool’s water and then headed towards the grand arena.

12:15

Took a lesser-trodden path to the Temple of Apollo and explored hidden parts of the ancient city.

14:00

Walked ~4 km down roads and fields to reach the hotel to pick our bags.

15:00

Had spinach potato gözleme (aloo ke parathe) and köfte pilav while waiting for the shuttle.

15:30

Took shuttle back to Denizli

16:00

caught bus to Marmaris.

Marmaris

19:15

Arrived at Marmaris and took an expensive cab to the Sunset Marmaris hotel.

20:00

Went out for stroll and dinner.

21:00

Had ___ followed by waffle & Frozen yogurt from Poffers, mixi’s new favorite.

20 December

0800

Woke up to a castle view from the window.

1000

Breakfast on the terrace with views of sea and mountains.

1230

Visited Marmaris Castle—views were beautiful.

1400

Explored the old town.

Took poffers again, walked along the pier, saw a coffee-book store.

Tried entering the yacht yard but it was restricted (I don’t own a yacht).

1530

Had lunch at Simple—Turkish spring rolls and a hot dog.

1645

It started raining heavily. Took shelter at a book-and-coffee place. Had filter coffee and fresh San Sebastian cheesecake.

1730

Returned to the hotel, showered, and slept too much (restoring the complete energy from too much travel the entire trip)

Marmaris (continued)

21 December

0900

Woke up late and Lazy. The castle still outside as if it has no where to go.

0930

Breakfast with stormy sea views this time

1100

Went out for coffee but couldn’t find the place again.

Bought a some jewellery pieces .

1130

Headed towards the bus stop. Realized I dropped my umbrella—went back and got it from a person who found it.

1300

Bought a doner wrap and boarded the bus to Antalya which was just about to leave.

Antalya

1930

Reached Antalya and walked to our hotel Villa Citronella. On the way stopped to have kunafa which was looking so yummy.

2000

The streets were bustling with live music performance overlapping from the thumps of high bass from clubs and people queuing up to get into the clubs. and reached the hotel.

2100

Went to an Indian restaurant called “India Gate” and had paneer butter masala (6/10) with a garlic and olive naan.

2200

Returned towards our hotel and found a tiny handcrafts shop nearby, run by an uncle who has been carving stone for the past 25 years. I bought a stone pirve and multiple small pieces of stone jewelry and paperweights.

2300

caught some zzzz.

22 December

08:00

Woke up with the sun hitting my face.

09:00

Went down for breakfast—had a scrumptious breakfast platter with scrambled eggs.

10:00

Went out to get tickets for a boat ride to Duden Falls. Was awestruck by the view of the mountains across the sea. Got to know the boat ride starts at 13:00. Met the unc again openeing his shop on the way back.

10:30

Headed to visit old Antalya city:

12:00

Had a doner spread and a milkshake with a great view of the sea ending with mountains on the horizon. This is the first time I coin the term “the blue table”.

13:00

Got on the boat to Duden Falls. I got great sea legs. The falls were nice—saw them from the sea. Mixi was getting seasick.

15:00

Got back to the coast off the boat. and took the elevator up to the ___ viewpoint

16:00

Took a public bus to Atatürk Park and took a ride on the (second) largest Ferris wheel called the heart of Antalya.

17:30

Came back to the hotel and picked up stuff.

18:30

Had a doner (with kunafe) for dinner and headed towards the bus station using the metro.

21:00

Waited for the bus to Cappadocia and had some Kasarli toast.

21:30

Boarded the bus to Cappadocia.

Cappadocia

23 December

06:30

Arrived at Cappadocia (Göreme). It was ~2°C. Walked to our hotel near the bus station.

08:30

Dozed in the reception area as it was cold outside.

09:00

Made the booking for the Red Tour and headed to have breakfast at Lalinda Café.

09:45

Boarded the shuttle for the Cappadocia Red Tour.

10:00

Uchisar Castle. (caveman’s six-floor house) he offered us some tea I went to the top most floor and explored it all. Carpets all over. Bought a zultanite pendant.

11:00

Monk’s Valley.

11:45

Zelve Open Air Museum.

13:00

Had a buffet lunch (ok-ok).

14:00

Went to an arts exhibition where they showed pottery and other crafts.

16:00

Ended with Love Valley. All was great.

17:00

Dropped off from the tour and had a siesta.

19:00

Headed out for dinner at Göreme Kebab. Had içli köfte with a mixed pide dish.

20:30

Had a strawberry boba from a Korean shop (didn’t think first boba would be from a Korean shop in Turkey).

21:00

Walked around seeing more cave hotels and fairy chimneys.

24 December

Morning

Woke up and saw the sunrise—no hot air balloons, was disappointed.

09:00

Went for a nice breakfast buffet at the hotel (lots of items).

09:30

Pickup for our Green Tour.

Daytime

Green Tour highlights:

17:00

Long ride back to the hotel.

18:00

Dropped off at the hotel and siesta.

19:30

Dinner again (Yaprak something with pide) at Göreme Kebab.

20:30

Went to a carpet store and bought mini carpets.

21:00

Had some street-side hot wine.

22:00

Back to hotel.

25 December

Morning

Had breakfast.

12:30

Booked a horse ride excursion.

13:30

Horse ride through the valleys—and then the unexpected thing happened (Mini…)

14:00

Returned back to Göreme. Tried a different kind of baklava and white-hot dessert (tasted a lot like vanilla). Checked out the carpet gallery—overrated. Bought some more sultanite.

15:30

Had late lunch at Dalchini and went back to the hotel.

16:30

Booked an ATV excursion. Met a cool guy named Orjan. He showed us around the valleys, and since I was too good at driving the ATV, he made me do some steep inclines. On the way back we jammed to Turkish music.

19:00

Dinner at BBQ Woodfire. Had testi kebab—honestly a show by itself the way they presented it.

20:00

Checked out and headed to the otogar to board our bus to Istanbul.

26 December – Istanbul → Sharjah

08:00

Reached the (Istanbul) otogar.

09:00

Boarded the bus to the airport.

13:00

Had the most expensive McD till date.

14:00

Boarded the flight to Sharjah.

18:00

Sharjah airport was in such a poor state.

#draft