Istanbul Mosque -- © Travel Notes
Although a member of NATO, most of Turkey lies on the Asian continent, as Anatolia.
Only 3 per cent of Turkey, known as Thrace
Turkey, is actually in Europe. So most visitors to Turkey will cross the Bosphorus and
enter Asia Minor.
Many tourists on charter-flights to Turkey
head to the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, and hardly even make the effort to visit
Istanbul.
Sancta Sophia, Istanbul -- © Travel
Notes
Granted, there is a lot of history and
pleasure around the coastal resorts, but there is also a lot more to Turkey than cruising
around Antalya, Alanya, Bodrum, Izmir and Marmaris.
Mount
Ararat (Agri Dagi), is mentioned in the Bible as the place where Noah's ark
came to rest. It is Turkey's highest peak, at 5,122 m., and is situated in the Eastern
Highlands; near the border with Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Hittite
Empire (1900-1200 BC), covered most of Asia Minor and rivaled Egypt as a
Middle Eastern power, until it was destroyed by invaders known as the Sea Peoples, towards
the end of the 12th century BC, along with the western Anatolian city of Troy.
Generally, the further east you go, the more
you find the real Turkey -- without the tourists, and of course the Kurds.
Contrary to the stance by the Turkish
Government, whole villages of Kurds in northern Iraq are not terrorists, but simple people
trying to get on with their lives who also wish for an independent homeland, as promised
by the Treaty of Sèvres (1920); although this was dropped from the later Treaty of
Lausanne (1923).
A Dying Baby, Northern Iraq -- © Travel Notes
I travelled everywhere by bus, apart from the
return to Istanbul, where I caught the train from Izmir, and then a ferry along the
Bosphorus; highly recommended.
Long-distance buses stop for meal breaks, and
you are offered a lemon-like cologne to freshen up your face -- it works. Often the
air-condition didn't work; and while I was sweating, the Turks around me sat in pullovers
and jackets and pulled on cigarette after a cigarette. A cliché, but I swear it's true.
Don't be put off by reports of terrorism in
the east, the Kurds are a very friendly people, and you can learn a lot from them.
Turkey also has a Black Sea coast for those
who like to bathe, away from the tourist crowds; I hardly saw a foreigner in Trabzon.
Currency
Converter:
Convert your currency into Turkish Lira.
Featured Sites:
Learning
Practical Turkish:
A free introduction to the Turkish Language, very professionally put together, and great
for the casual visitor too! Fun things to download include ,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°
TrueType Turkish Fonts and audio pronunciation to those tongue twisters.
Mustafa
Kemal Atatürk:
Without him, there might never have been a Republic of Turkey. Funny how many Turks still
sport his bushy upper lip.
Turkish Odyssey:
A delightful guide to Turkey's past. History blends effortlessly with useful tips and
places of interest.
Turkey @ Travel Notes:
Additional Turkish links to get you on your way. |
