Turkey has highest accident rate in all of Europe, not surprising when you have people like this on the road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpAaV5BqvTc . Fortunately we would be flying out of Istanbul, sparing us from the hazards of belly dancing cab drivers! The driving was inevitable though, and the next day we set out from Izmir with fear in our hearts. Fortunately our rental car had an Evil Eye built into its model logo, so we would be protected from dangers (at least the ones coming from behind!).
We arrived in Selcuk and navigated our way to our home for the next couple of nights. Considerably cheaper than Istanbul, we were able to find a room here for $20 a night- breakfast and shower included. Hot water? Well that was another story, but at least we got it working the second morning. At breakfast we were surprised to find a familiar face; Amir, an outgoing New Yorker who we had briefly met on a ferry ride in Istanbul, was also a guest at our hotel! Amir then introduced us to Adrian and Gabrielle, a couple from Malaysia that he had also met at the hotel. The five of us set out to see the nearby ruins of Ephesus. Yes, more Roman ruin
s!
That afternoon, we discovered Amir’s penchant for geo-caching, and found ourselves climbing the mountain behind Ephesus in search of a box that we would never find, but it was all worth it to take in the panoramic view of the valley. (Geo-caching is the activity of finding a hidden treasure using a GPS device, usually in picturesque or interesting locations).
Over breakfast the second morning it was decided that we would all travel to Pamukkale together, and thus our family was born (family for the next five days at least). Thanks to Amir’s GPS and four backseat drivers, we arrived in a tidy two hours and checked in to the Four
Seasons Pamukkale. Luxury? I think not, check out the picture.
We arrived in Selcuk and navigated our way to our home for the next couple of nights. Considerably cheaper than Istanbul, we were able to find a room here for $20 a night- breakfast and shower included. Hot water? Well that was another story, but at least we got it working the second morning. At breakfast we were surprised to find a familiar face; Amir, an outgoing New Yorker who we had briefly met on a ferry ride in Istanbul, was also a guest at our hotel! Amir then introduced us to Adrian and Gabrielle, a couple from Malaysia that he had also met at the hotel. The five of us set out to see the nearby ruins of Ephesus. Yes, more Roman ruin
s!
That afternoon, we discovered Amir’s penchant for geo-caching, and found ourselves climbing the mountain behind Ephesus in search of a box that we would never find, but it was all worth it to take in the panoramic view of the valley. (Geo-caching is the activity of finding a hidden treasure using a GPS device, usually in picturesque or interesting locations).Over breakfast the second morning it was decided that we would all travel to Pamukkale together, and thus our family was born (family for the next five days at least). Thanks to Amir’s GPS and four backseat drivers, we arrived in a tidy two hours and checked in to the Four
Seasons Pamukkale. Luxury? I think not, check out the picture.Pammukale translates literally into “cotton castle”. Calcium-rich hot springs have created the snowy whit
e “castle” or travertines with their unique patterns of deposits. The rippled and cratered surface more resembled the set of a 60’s sci-fi flick than a castle.
Of course the Romans discovered this miracle of nature too, as evidenced by the nearby ruins of their “spa city”. After warming our toes we wandered the ruins, hoping to find the Plutonium, a spring dedicated to Pluto (God of the
underworld) that gives off toxic vapours. Our explorations 
were terminated when the last sliver of daylight slipped away (and it started to get bloody cold!).
e “castle” or travertines with their unique patterns of deposits. The rippled and cratered surface more resembled the set of a 60’s sci-fi flick than a castle. Of course the Romans discovered this miracle of nature too, as evidenced by the nearby ruins of their “spa city”. After warming our toes we wandered the ruins, hoping to find the Plutonium, a spring dedicated to Pluto (God of the
underworld) that gives off toxic vapours. Our explorations 
were terminated when the last sliver of daylight slipped away (and it started to get bloody cold!).Back at the “One Season Hotel” (renamed by us due to its chilly rooms) we gathered in the common room hoping to glean some warmth, or at least to numb the chill with 
some wine. Adam and Amir both challenged our host to a couple games of backgammon. The wager… wine and beer of course! The well worn backgammon board foreshadowed our boys’ resounding defeat.
some wine. Adam and Amir both challenged our host to a couple games of backgammon. The wager… wine and beer of course! The well worn backgammon board foreshadowed our boys’ resounding defeat. Fortunately, we all ended up sharing the winnings anyway.
1 comment:
I really didn't make up the geocache... but it sucks that we didn't find it... next time... we should look at the photos of where it's hidden before we go.
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