Southern California - Back from Turkey

Just back from 2 weeks in Turkey. We hit Istanbul, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Antalya and all manner of ancient ruins near those places. I highly recommend Turkey as a place to visit and also highly recommend going off season. We had the place to ourselves in many cases but it was obvious from the number of idled hotels, pensions, and restaurants that the place would be a zoo in the summer.

Since this is a bike forum I wanted to report my findings re. cycling in Turkey. Things may be different in the summer, but in general there weren't many findings to report. Some exceptions:

I only saw one intrepid soul on a mountain bike in central Istanbul. It's hilly with narrow cobblestone streets filled with pedestrians and lurching cars.
Oddly enough, I saw one Trek store that had a small assortment of MTBs on display.
We saw exactly five road bikers in two weeks, all admirably climbing in the hills - one lone helmetless guy on the road up to the ruins at Prienne, one contending with passing buses and trucks on a shoulderless highway to Afrodiasas, and a slick looking "team" of three climbing the hills north of Antalya.
Antalya was the only place were there were a significant number of bikes - mostly MTBs and some more traditional commuter style. The riders appeared to be mostly commuters but there were some younger people out to just fool around.
Bianchi was the most common brand I saw. The Trek store was the only dedicated LBS I saw, but, in Antalya I came by a store that sold Bianchi MTBs and vacuum cleaners - and nothing else.
BTW - the food in Turkey is good and I am properly fattened up for the Stagecoach Century and my New Years resolution to re-lose weight yet again.

Welcome back, Dan. :) So, you didn't ride while you were over there! :eek: Yeah, Stagecoach is going to be loads of fun for you. Glad you had fun and a safe trip.

Welcome back!

Welcome back, buddy.

W B!!! Glad to see that you were not detained. :D

Welcome home Dan! Now let's hear about/see pics of your trip, cycling related or not. :)

Welcome back

Welcome back!

Welcome home Dan! Now let's hear about/see pics of your trip, cycling related or not. :)

+1
Yes indeed. Let's hear it. I've wanted to go to Istanbul for a long time.

Welcome back!

I came by a store that sold Bianchi MTBs and vacuum cleaners - and nothing else.

I'm glad to hear that's a successful business model.

I was thinking about opening a Bianchi/vacuum cleaner shop myself, although I may include beekeeping supplies and adult magazines.

I'm glad to hear that's a successful business model.

I was thinking about opening a Bianchi/vacuum cleaner shop myself, although I may include beekeeping supplies and adult magazines.

Look at the middle pocket sponsor logo. http://northcountycycleclub.com/images/clothing/pinkJerseyrear.pdf

No beekeeping supplies, Frank?

I could corner the market!

Welcome back!

Welcome home Dan! Now let's hear about/see pics of your trip, cycling related or not. :)

Ok, here are a few.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/hat.jpg
My new silly hat. I will wear it everywhere. To bed, to job interviews - everywhere.


http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0259.jpg
Our charming hotel in the heart of old Istanbul.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0331.jpg
The Grand Bazaar.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0647.jpg
The Blue Mosque in snow on our last day - the only non-sunny one on the trip.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0286.jpg
The Sophia Mosque/Byzantine Church

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0303.jpg
From a ferry ride down the Bosphorous

No beekeeping supplies, Frank?

I could corner the market!


Especially for Panda styled beekeeping hats with built in veils...;)

A Few More:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0374.jpg
Ephesus

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0371.jpg
Ephesus Theatre

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0357.jpg
Wandering the streets.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0416.jpg
The Oracles of La Jolla

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0463.jpg
Ancient animal husbandry practices re-enacted

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0544.jpg
Looks just like one of my old bosses.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0566.jpg
The stadium at Afrodiasis

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0591.jpg
The theater at Termessos. Spectacular views in all directions.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0651.jpg
I had to go, but I couldn't pose without my bike.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0331.jpg


The last time I had Turkish Delight was 1972.

Great trip and thanks for the pic.

I was there about 2 1/2 years ago in the summer. Stayed with some people that own a home one of the princess islands (Istanbul ) and a home in Kusadasi. Seeing the pics .. I can almost see / hear and smell the grand bazaar. I didnt think it was very crowded at all in the summer, of course I think people were still freaked out by going to turkey (safety concerns).

As far as cycling ..forget about it. I was scared riding in a taxi.

And I can relate on the food... not a "healthy" vacation.

turkey has been on my short list for some time.

thanks for the pics!

Awesome.

great pics

Great pics, Dan. I've heard that Turkey is a great place for vacationing. Looks like you had a great time. So when is the BF Turkey ride? :lol:

Welcome back! Nice pics!

+1
Yes indeed. Let's hear it. I've wanted to go to Istanbul for a long time.It's no Constantinople, that's for sure.

It's no Constantinople, that's for sure.

Istanbul was constantinople
Now it's istanbul, not constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Now it's turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in constantinople
Lives in istanbul, not constantinople
So if you've a date in constantinople
She'll be waiting in istanbul

Even old new york was once new amsterdam
Why they changed it i can't say
People just liked it better that way

So take me back to constantinople
No, you can't go back to constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Why did constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the turks

Istanbul (istanbul)
Istanbul (istanbul)

Even old new york was once new amsterdam
Why they changed it i can't say
People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was constantinople
Now it's istanbul, not constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Why did constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the turks

So take me back to constantinople
No, you can't go back to constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Why did constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the turks

In 2001-2002 I lived in Istanbul for about 7 months working on a project. I have to say that to this day I remain impressed - one of the best places in the world.

Glad you had a good time. However, I feel compelled to point out that most of the beautiful, attractive, popular places for tourism in Turkey, are in fact of Greek descent. The Mosque was originally the church of Aghia Sofia (holy wisdom), a symbol of Greek Orthodoxy. The entire west coast of the country along the Aegean is full of Greek artifacts. Your pictures of Ephesos, Afrodiasis, and Tremessos collabarote that statement, since they depict Greek architecture.

Please let's not forget that the official Turkish state has very successfully through its history perpetrated atrocities against non-Turks (Greeks, Armenians, Cypriots, etc). Stuff that includes gathering of young males for 'training', genocide, and the like that gets a lot of exposure nowadays (like in Darfur).

I'm not trying to 'rain on anyone's parade', but we need to be mindful of history...

Glad you had a good time. However, I feel compelled to point out that most of the beautiful, attractive, popular places for tourism in Turkey, are in fact of Greek descent. The Mosque was originally the church of Aghia Sofia (holy wisdom), a symbol of Greek Orthodoxy. The entire west coast of the country along the Aegean is full of Greek artifacts. Your pictures of Ephesos, Afrodiasis, and Tremessos collabarote that statement, since they depict Greek architecture.

Please let's not forget that the official Turkish state has very successfully through its history perpetrated atrocities against non-Turks (Greeks, Armenians, Cypriots, etc). Stuff that includes gathering of young males for 'training', genocide, and the like that gets a lot of exposure nowadays (like in Darfur).

I'm not trying to 'rain on anyone's parade', but we need to be mindful of history...



I hear you. Unfortunately, you'd be hard pressed to find a world power that wasn't guilty of this behavior to some degree in their history, including the U.S., Great Britain, Russia, China. Going back in history, Alexander the Great was one of the original conquerers of the Armenians and is largely responsible for all the Greek influence in Turkey that you're referring to.

When studying history, I think it's important not to judge the actions of those who made it. Study what happened, and understand the root causes. Then you can apply that learning to modern times and hopefully prevent repetitions of that sort of history.

Take Germany from then end of WWI through WWII. Punishing modern day Germany for the actions of the Nazi Germany is just counterproductive. However, it's a great study on the negative aspects of extreme nationalism.

In other words, No sense condemning the son for a fathers sins. (As long as they recognize what happened and aren't repeating such behavior anyway)

Just my .02

Man, this makes me want to take a side trip to Taksim square for the endless rows of turning Lamb stock dripping with melting fat... Yum!!!
I miss Turkey, the Sirkesi neighborhood of Istanbul especially.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73TtWwPkPFM

I hear you. Unfortunately, you'd be hard pressed to find a world power that wasn't guilty of this behavior to some degree in their history, including the U.S., Great Britain, Russia, China. Going back in history, Alexander the Great was one of the original conquerers of the Armenians and is largely responsible for all the Greek influence in Turkey that you're referring to.

When studying history, I think it's important not to judge the actions of those who made it. Study what happened, and understand the root causes. Then you can apply that learning to modern times and hopefully prevent repetitions of that sort of history.

Take Germany from then end of WWI through WWII. Punishing modern day Germany for the actions of the Nazi Germany is just counterproductive. However, it's a great study on the negative aspects of extreme nationalism.

In other words, No sense condemning the son for a fathers sins. (As long as they recognize what happened and aren't repeating such behavior anyway)

Just my .02

+1
Great insight, ronjon.

"Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."
--Winston Churchill

Nice pics, Indolent. I would love to go there sometime.

Glad you had a good time. However, I feel compelled to point out that most of the beautiful, attractive, popular places for tourism in Turkey, are in fact of Greek descent. The Mosque was originally the church of Aghia Sofia (holy wisdom), a symbol of Greek Orthodoxy. The entire west coast of the country along the Aegean is full of Greek artifacts. Your pictures of Ephesos, Afrodiasis, and Tremessos collabarote that statement, since they depict Greek architecture.

Please let's not forget that the official Turkish state has very successfully through its history perpetrated atrocities against non-Turks (Greeks, Armenians, Cypriots, etc). Stuff that includes gathering of young males for 'training', genocide, and the like that gets a lot of exposure nowadays (like in Darfur).

I'm not trying to 'rain on anyone's parade', but we need to be mindful of history...

Indeed. I decided to leave my favorite t-shirt at home when I packed.

http://images.cafepress.com/product/37961779v1_240x240_Front_Color-AshGrey.jpg

Sorry I missed this, and the pictures...I'd assume the Hagia Sofia didn't change into a little red X in the past week. Welcome back, ya turkey.

Sorry I missed this, and the pictures...I'd assume the Hagia Sofia didn't change into a little red X in the past week. Welcome back, ya turkey.


Sorry I messed with the album organization and broke all the links.

Linky to the albumy? I likey to seey.

http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/Turkey2007/?albumview=slideshow&direction=reverse

Looks like a great combination of culture and fun!


But... uh...


http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/Turkey2007/DSCN0463.jpg?t=1199833480

Looks like a great combination of culture and fun!


But... uh...


http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/Turkey2007/DSCN0463.jpg?t=1199833480

Re-enacting ancient animal husbandry practices. Cultural and fun.

What an awesome trip!

Does Turkey receive muck snow? I never would have thought that it would be snowing there.

What an awesome trip!

Does Turkey receive muck snow? I never would have thought that it would be snowing there.

Just the last day in Istanbul. Apparently it's not all that uncommon.

Hi Indolent, it sounds like you started your ride in the middle of April. Was it chilly at the time? I'd like to ride there starting at the beginning of April 09.

Welcome back again, Dan!