Istanbul
Ok - so I havent moved far since the last post..
Steady progress from Kesan, a few days in Tekirdag, famous for Raki and Tekirdag Kofte (amongst many other things but these are the ones I like), another coastal town, Silivri and a hairy days cycling through Istanbul's suburbs to its centre and my temporary home, Sultanahmet, where I have been based for last 3 weeks or so.
Feels good to stay put for a little while, an oppurtunity to plan the next few months, arrange visas, replace the Albanian front wheel which had been faultless, but of unknown quality and take in the many sights of a city which has so much history. Istanbul is known as a meeting point, of both travellors and continents, Asia a 1 ytl \ 20 minute ferry ride across the Bosphoros. I have been fortunate to make many friends, both local and other itinerates...
This morning I returned from a little tour of the Black Sea coast, out to Trabzon and then up into the moutains for hiking, snow, fresh air and fantastic eastern Anatolian hospitality.
Im now back in Istanbul to sort out a few loose ends and depart in a few days for Cappadocia by bus or train.... ahem, yep, I ve been caught out. Bar water crossings it will be the first time Im not progressing on bike. The weather here currently, although not too cold has been very damp, but at the higher altitudes of the Turkish interior things are much colder, with snow and ice. Not bike friendly. After cold but beautiful Cappadocia Im heading for warmer climes and back to the pedalling. My approach has never been to cycle every metre, although many view cycle touring as such a challenge, up until now, on a day to day basis the bike has been the preffered option but not now.
After Turkey its onto Syria and I cannot wait.. my visa application took me to both Syrian and British consulates, the latter for a letter of recommendation which included some fantastically diplomatic waffle..
'Her Britannic Majesty's Consulate General at Istanbul avails itself of this oppurtunity to convey to the Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Syria the assurance of its highest consideration'
If only her British Majesty's Consulate General could convey similar consideration to her British Majesty's citizens who are fleeced of 105 YTL for a form letter that took all of 5 minutes to type...
A few photos...
Steady progress from Kesan, a few days in Tekirdag, famous for Raki and Tekirdag Kofte (amongst many other things but these are the ones I like), another coastal town, Silivri and a hairy days cycling through Istanbul's suburbs to its centre and my temporary home, Sultanahmet, where I have been based for last 3 weeks or so.
Feels good to stay put for a little while, an oppurtunity to plan the next few months, arrange visas, replace the Albanian front wheel which had been faultless, but of unknown quality and take in the many sights of a city which has so much history. Istanbul is known as a meeting point, of both travellors and continents, Asia a 1 ytl \ 20 minute ferry ride across the Bosphoros. I have been fortunate to make many friends, both local and other itinerates...
This morning I returned from a little tour of the Black Sea coast, out to Trabzon and then up into the moutains for hiking, snow, fresh air and fantastic eastern Anatolian hospitality.
Im now back in Istanbul to sort out a few loose ends and depart in a few days for Cappadocia by bus or train.... ahem, yep, I ve been caught out. Bar water crossings it will be the first time Im not progressing on bike. The weather here currently, although not too cold has been very damp, but at the higher altitudes of the Turkish interior things are much colder, with snow and ice. Not bike friendly. After cold but beautiful Cappadocia Im heading for warmer climes and back to the pedalling. My approach has never been to cycle every metre, although many view cycle touring as such a challenge, up until now, on a day to day basis the bike has been the preffered option but not now.
After Turkey its onto Syria and I cannot wait.. my visa application took me to both Syrian and British consulates, the latter for a letter of recommendation which included some fantastically diplomatic waffle..
'Her Britannic Majesty's Consulate General at Istanbul avails itself of this oppurtunity to convey to the Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Syria the assurance of its highest consideration'
If only her British Majesty's Consulate General could convey similar consideration to her British Majesty's citizens who are fleeced of 105 YTL for a form letter that took all of 5 minutes to type...
A few photos...
Egyptian Bazaar - Istanbul
Shopping in Istanbul
Eclectic shop in Turel (Eastern Anatolia)
Mountains near Hamsikoy (near Trabzon and Black Sea coast)
Sumela Monatary near Macka
St Chora, Istanbul
Hagia Sofia, Istanbul
posted by BORIS at 08:58
1 Comments:
Just to let you know how much I'm enjoying following your progress, Dan. Can't wait to read the book when you've written it! Love the photos too - I've just set one of the bazaar pictures as wallpaper. Keep pedalling - and writing!
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