Some Observations on a Fantastic Journey through Western Turkey
Jun 27th, 2012, 10:28 PM
#43
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So we're back to eriks (plums)....
Are fresh eriks a favorite food of goats? On the way to Xanthos, I saw a herd of goats charging across a road and the larger (and I assume older) ones leapt to trees that looked like they held ripe eriks (but I couldn't really tell, particularly because the goats ate all the fruit so quickly). The larger/taller goats completed ignored their herder as they competed for the fruit. The younger/smaller goats sought pieces of the fruit on the ground before obeying their goatherd's call. Were those erik? it was quite a sight!
Are fresh eriks a favorite food of goats? On the way to Xanthos, I saw a herd of goats charging across a road and the larger (and I assume older) ones leapt to trees that looked like they held ripe eriks (but I couldn't really tell, particularly because the goats ate all the fruit so quickly). The larger/taller goats completed ignored their herder as they competed for the fruit. The younger/smaller goats sought pieces of the fruit on the ground before obeying their goatherd's call. Were those erik? it was quite a sight!
Jun 27th, 2012, 10:51 PM
#44
kja, you're so right. Old goats (!) know the best eriks. They can even disguise as one to attract those of the opposite gender.
It is still erik season here, so it is hard to put this important subject aside.
It is still erik season here, so it is hard to put this important subject aside.
Jun 27th, 2012, 11:24 PM
#45
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I didn't see any of those disguises - or perhaps I should say that I was not aware of seeing any such disguises! But whatever these trees offered, the goats wanted it!
It was really quite a spectacle: I was fortunate enough to take note when the older goats in an otherwise slow-moveing and very large herd first smelled (or saw or otherwise sensed) something - they charged ahead and leapt into the trees. And since only the stronger, taller, faster goats got to nibble these precious delights, it was a clear demonstration of the privileges of mature strength.
And if they were eriks, I can't blame them - delicious little things!
It was really quite a spectacle: I was fortunate enough to take note when the older goats in an otherwise slow-moveing and very large herd first smelled (or saw or otherwise sensed) something - they charged ahead and leapt into the trees. And since only the stronger, taller, faster goats got to nibble these precious delights, it was a clear demonstration of the privileges of mature strength.
And if they were eriks, I can't blame them - delicious little things!
Jun 28th, 2012, 04:58 PM
#48
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Thanks, baldrick! I feel incredibly lucky to be able to travel and to take long trips. Turkey was a great destination - it offered so many heartwarming experiences. May all your travel dreams come true!
Jun 29th, 2012, 06:55 AM
#50
It will be too hot to eat anything in NYC mid July, unless you go to visit them for a 5AM breakfast.
i have already started thinking philosophically for the coming conference. words like pyrrhonism and pataphysics are vying for major positions in the frontal lobes.
Turkey is also famous for its former philosophers with a few who have survived to this date. There was haj haroun in Jerusalem (Sinai Tapestry, Edward Whittemore) who was 3000 years old and there is otherchelebi who may be close to the age of Mel Brooks when he had those shows with Karl Reiner.
i have already started thinking philosophically for the coming conference. words like pyrrhonism and pataphysics are vying for major positions in the frontal lobes.
Turkey is also famous for its former philosophers with a few who have survived to this date. There was haj haroun in Jerusalem (Sinai Tapestry, Edward Whittemore) who was 3000 years old and there is otherchelebi who may be close to the age of Mel Brooks when he had those shows with Karl Reiner.
Nov 23rd, 2012, 05:50 PM
#52
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kja,
Great report, observations and memories that I am taking notes of in preparation for an Oct trip next year. Unfortunately not as long as yours, but I am getting very excited about it.
Thanks for taking the time to share everything with us.
Great report, observations and memories that I am taking notes of in preparation for an Oct trip next year. Unfortunately not as long as yours, but I am getting very excited about it.
Thanks for taking the time to share everything with us.
Nov 23rd, 2012, 11:01 PM
#53
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Thanks, xyz - I'm glad you found my observations helpful! I know that you are struggling with the difficult choices for travel that Turkey provides: So much to see, so little time!
Even with the luxury of 3.5 weeks, I visited only a few of the places that were on my original wish-list. (I certainly hope to include at least some of those locations on a future 2nd trip to this amazing country). The good news is that you should be able to see and experience some wonderful things, even if you need to be more selective than you had initially expected.
Even with the luxury of 3.5 weeks, I visited only a few of the places that were on my original wish-list. (I certainly hope to include at least some of those locations on a future 2nd trip to this amazing country). The good news is that you should be able to see and experience some wonderful things, even if you need to be more selective than you had initially expected.
Nov 24th, 2012, 05:15 AM
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kja, that’s exactly what I’m going through 
I’ve been reading so much about Turkey lately, and revising the list of what to see and what to skip so many times… I am sure I will do that a few more times before all is set in stone…and maybe even after that.
I love this forum and the people here who make planning so easy and so much fun. Thank you.
I’ve been reading so much about Turkey lately, and revising the list of what to see and what to skip so many times… I am sure I will do that a few more times before all is set in stone…and maybe even after that.
I love this forum and the people here who make planning so easy and so much fun. Thank you.
Jan 5th, 2013, 03:00 PM
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My husband and I are looking at flying from Istanbul to Kayeseri, Cappadocia and renting a car. Similar to you I would like rent a car then after 3 days/4 nights in Cappadocia make our way to Anatalya eventually to Selcuk and fly back from Izmir (after dropping car) to Istanbul. I hope to rent a deisel car. I will have 15 days, 17 days including 2 flying days. I will have 5 whole days separately in Istanbul. How expensive would you estimate the fuel costs to be. It has been suggested that instead, we should fly to Kayeseri rent a car return it. Fly to Anatalya rent a car return it there and fly to Izmir rent a car return it and fly back to Istanbul. They suggest this format would be cheaper. Surely the convenience of a car outweighs all that flying.
Jan 5th, 2013, 03:49 PM
#56
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Hi, WhistlerNorth -
> How expensive would you estimate the fuel costs to be.
I'm afraid I can't answer your question as I didn't keep notes about the price of fuel. I remember reading before I went that fuel in Turkey is among the most expensive in the world. I have absolutely no idea whether that's true or not. Otherchelebi or Croesus or others may be able to provide better info about the costs.
> Surely the convenience of a car outweighs all that flying.
Obviously, I did think the convenience of having a car was worth it, but that reflected my selection of places to visit. I wanted to see a number of places that would have been somewhat difficult to reach in a timely way by public transportation. Too, I really enjoy long-distance driving. But there are downsides, too, including the costs, the moments when you find that your maps aren't accurate or that routes have changed due to road construction, making sure that your accommodations make parking available...
Keep in mind that the trip from Cappadocia to Antalya is too long to make in day, so you'd need the better of 2 days for that leg. And I believe the most direct route from Antalya to Selcuk would take pretty much a full day.
Good luck with your planning!
> How expensive would you estimate the fuel costs to be.
I'm afraid I can't answer your question as I didn't keep notes about the price of fuel. I remember reading before I went that fuel in Turkey is among the most expensive in the world. I have absolutely no idea whether that's true or not. Otherchelebi or Croesus or others may be able to provide better info about the costs.
> Surely the convenience of a car outweighs all that flying.
Obviously, I did think the convenience of having a car was worth it, but that reflected my selection of places to visit. I wanted to see a number of places that would have been somewhat difficult to reach in a timely way by public transportation. Too, I really enjoy long-distance driving. But there are downsides, too, including the costs, the moments when you find that your maps aren't accurate or that routes have changed due to road construction, making sure that your accommodations make parking available...
Keep in mind that the trip from Cappadocia to Antalya is too long to make in day, so you'd need the better of 2 days for that leg. And I believe the most direct route from Antalya to Selcuk would take pretty much a full day.
Good luck with your planning!
Jan 5th, 2013, 10:23 PM
#57
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I should add that I saw some stunningly, breathtakingly, awesomely beautiful scenery while driving that I wouldn't have seen had I flown from place to place. And I was fascinated to see herds of cattle or goats moving across roadways, even if it meant that I couldn't move an inch for a 1/2 hour or more.
But there were also frustrating times on highways near cities with chaotic and stressful traffic patterns; and a few long stretches that weren't all that interesting (at least to me); and various areas undergoing road work where the road remained open to traffic, but had basically been stripped to an unpaved rutted surface that one could cross at only a snail's pace, etc.
But there were also frustrating times on highways near cities with chaotic and stressful traffic patterns; and a few long stretches that weren't all that interesting (at least to me); and various areas undergoing road work where the road remained open to traffic, but had basically been stripped to an unpaved rutted surface that one could cross at only a snail's pace, etc.
Jan 6th, 2013, 07:35 AM
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Whistler,
Why don't you plot your trip using Google Maps, figure out the total kilometers you expect to drive, then divide by the average kilometers per gallon that a diesel car would get?
I do this often for trips, it can give you a rough idea of the costs.
Why don't you plot your trip using Google Maps, figure out the total kilometers you expect to drive, then divide by the average kilometers per gallon that a diesel car would get?
I do this often for trips, it can give you a rough idea of the costs.
Jan 11th, 2013, 12:16 PM
#60
kja,
I loved reading your wonderfully descriptive and evocative report. I'm just starting to plan our trip at the end of May....and was debating about where to stay in Istanbul since many comments say that Sultanhamet is too obnoxious right now with people hassling you to buy....but if you stay away from this area, the traffic makes getting to see the historic sights too difficult. So, you've convinced me to stay in this central area so that we can walk to all the major sites. Thank you.
I loved reading your wonderfully descriptive and evocative report. I'm just starting to plan our trip at the end of May....and was debating about where to stay in Istanbul since many comments say that Sultanhamet is too obnoxious right now with people hassling you to buy....but if you stay away from this area, the traffic makes getting to see the historic sights too difficult. So, you've convinced me to stay in this central area so that we can walk to all the major sites. Thank you.
