World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
Pages:
About | Countries | Tours | Trips | Bucket List – Done | Bucket List – To Do | Airport Lounges | Flight History
Travel Categories:
Flight Reviews | Lounge Reviews | Destinations | Short Breaks | World Trip 1986 | World Trip 1998 | World Trip 1999-2000 | World Trip 2006 | World Trip 2009 | World Trip 2009-10 | World Trip 2010 | World Trip 2011 | World Trip 2012-13 | World Trip 2015 | World Trip 2016 | World Trip 2017 | World Trip 2017-18 | World Trip 2018 | World Trip 2019 | Australia 2022 | World Trip 2023 | World Trip 2024 | World Trip 2024-25 | World Trip 2026-27
Turkish Airlines
Date: Saturday 06 May 2023
Gate: 2
Seat: 25A (Economy Class Seat)
Plane: Boeing 737-800
Scheduled: 08:20
Boarded: 10:12
Pushback: 10:33
Arrived: 11:39 (Scheduled 09:35)
Duration: 1 hour 6 minutes
Distance: 396 kms
This flight was from Denizli Çardak Airport to Istanbul Airport.
(more…)
Friday 05 May 2023
Highlights: Hierapolis Ruins, White travertine terraces, Cleopatra Antique Pool, Whirling Dervishes Ceremony
How last big drive day was to take between 3-4 hours and it happened to be in the rain which all things considered is lucky as we are safe inside the mini bus. We had lunch on arrival at Pamukkale, checked in to our hotel and for changed for our visit to the Hierapolis Ruins.
Hierapolis (Holy City) has been used as a spa since at least the 2nd century BC as a Greek city. The area is famous for the travertine limestone deposited by the hot springs. In 133 BC that area transferred to the control of the Romans. The Hierapolis experience two major earthquakes in 17 and 60 AD leading to being rebuilt into Roman style which today’s ruins represent.
Thursday 04 May 2023
Highlights: Visiting Şirince Village, Exploring Selçuk, Visiting St John’s Basilica, Enjoying a Wine Sampling afternoon.
Today was a day of options with no travelling between hotels. Isik started the day with a quick orientation walk around to the key points of Selçuk so we knew were our major options where. From year it was off to the picturesque Şirince Village.
Wednesday 03 May 2023.
Highlights: Learning about Turkish Carpet making, exploring Izmir, exploring Ephesus ruins in depth, visiting the ancient Library of Celsus
A very big day started with a visit to Carpet and Kilim Weavers Association based near Bergama. We got a detailed explanation of how Turkish carpets are made starting with the vegetables used to create the colouring, to how the silk is harvested, to how the double knot system works (on Turkish carpets use double knots) and watched some local woman creating new carpets.
Some of the larger carpets take up to 18 months to create. I was amazed at the craftmanship on display. Several group members purchased some smaller carpets.
Tuesday 02 May 2023.
Highlights: Exploring the ancient city of Troy, Exploring Ayvalık, Exploring by boat the archipelago of the Ayvalık Islands.
Today we set out to explore the ancient city of Troy. Isik explained on the way to the site the history of Troy (as called Ilion). While most people know of Troy from the 2004 Troy movie which was based on The Iliad by Homer, Troy has a deep history before and after the story of The Iliad.
(more…)
Nathan's Insights 