Marko

After the emotional ride of Gallipoli we needed a bit of a lighter afternoon which was achieved by rounding the afternoon out by playing dungeons and dragons around the castle at Kilitbahir. A 600 year old castle very much out of the pages of a knight's tale or Monty Python and the Holy Grail, turrets and embattlements small windows and massive stone work. From the top there was a great view of Cannakale and the complimentary castle on the Asian side. As we were the only ones there we had a great time mucking around with the kids. It is a castle I can recommend if you are in the area. We grabbed an early dinner at a restaurant called "Maydes" in Eceabat, right on the water, we had the grilled Golden Bream and the kids had more Tavuk Kebab (chicken kebab). It is funny how the chicken tastes different in Turkey, probably not battery raised and not pumped full of hormones. Back to the Hotel Dumpzakoy (not gonna miss this place) for the night. We were a bit worried as we had a drink in the Bar when a rock band started setting up and the barman told us that a large group of uni students were having a party that evening.....oh joy ! We came down later to have a game of cards in the lounge and the band were really pumping, Turkish pop and rock is quite good even if you don't understand the words. We were expecting an unfortunately long night when at 10 pm the stopped and put away there gear. I asked the barman if someone had complained and he said no it was time for them to go to there rooms !!!! Cannot imagine that happening in Australia !

Marko

Early start to get to the ferry at Eceabat to cross over to Cannakale. A pleasant trip. We picked up our guide for Troy, Mustafa Askin, who it turns out has written two well respected books on Troy and the Gallipoli campaign, a very well informed and informative guide. He had to be as Troy is not particularly recognisable as a city ! If explained properly it does come to life and the antiquity of the place is a monument to the enduring residential nature of humans ! The big wooden horse at the entrance is great for photos and for climbing (even by the big kids like me !). Don't expect to see anything like the movie, but if you are a history buff it is worth the visit. We had lunch at a cafe next to the recreation of Schleimanns hut....big deal !!!!

Vera

I take it this is a continuation of something, but I don't know where the first part is. What is it called? Because this is very enjoyable, and I don't want to miss anything, as I want to get back to Turkey (have only seen Ephesus) some day.

Vera

Marko

vera, just do a search under Turkey and you will get to see the Turkish delight series so far...more to come as time allows.

Marko

Forgot to mention had a Trojan beer with lunch, not as good as Efes !!!!!

Marko

It is a long drive from Troy to Kusadasi ! The scenery is OK but sleep is the best approach. The last few kilometres thru Selcuk and down into Kusadasi itself were very pretty. We arrived at the Kismet hotel which is looking just tiny bit tired but I have to say that the service was warm and friendly the rooms quite large and the beds VERY comfortable. We sat outside in the garden and had a glass or two of wine and watched the sun go down over the Aegean, very romantic except for the three kids runs around madly expending the energy pent up from the long drive. We wandered down towards town and stopped at the first restaurant we came to and ate , a yummy Iskender Kebab.tomorrow we have another long drive to Pammukale and Heiropolis