Time in Marmaris
10 May 2011 | Marmaris, Turkey
Jane, sunny and warm
We hope to leave Marmaris this weekend, have had to wait for a new windlass (thingy that helps pull up anchor) yup more boat $$, but we are nearly on our way. Wow what a fun and busy time we have had the last couple of months or so, it will be sad to say goodbye, but good to know that we will return for next winter.
Apart from boat projects, crazy social life and getting to know the area we have also been on a few trips which Gwen, our wonderful local guru of knowledge, arranges for us cruisers.
Our first trip was to Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, a beautiful natural world heritage site in southwestern Turkey. The city's hillside is covered with bright white, smoothly flowing, stone and travertine terraces which are created by heavily mineralized springs that trickle down the slopes. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" which is in total about 8,860 ft long, 1,970 ft wide and 525 ft high and can be seen from miles away. It must have been quite luxurious in its day and the museum there had some lovely engraved tombs and artifacts. We stayed in a hotel close by and thoroughly enjoyed the inside/outside spa pools feed from the local springs.
We visited various other places on our way there and back. One of them was the Greek-Roman city of Laodicea and another a huge rug factory. There were 69 rooms full of carpets and the staff shared with us how each type is made and the history behind the designs - it was fascinating. A few of our small group of 12 bought some, after the ritual haggling, but sadly we decided Ta-b could not accommodate any more rugs.
At the end of March we went to Capadocia via Konya passing through the spectacular Lake District on our way. The trip was magical. Konya is the original lodge of the whirling dervishes and a very religious city. The Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum there with the tomb of Rumi was very educational with objects like gold-engraved Korans from the 13th century and among the fabulous ancient prayer rugs there is the most valuable silk carpet in the world.
Capadocia was breathtaking and much larger than we had thought. We visited Uchisar Castle a natural skyscraper which provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area, Cavusin old Greek village, Devrent Imagination Valley with its animal shaped chimneys, Pasabagi with its triple fairy chimneys, Love valley with its phallic chimneys and Monks valley. The Goreme Open Air Museum contained the finest rock-cut churches with beautiful frescoes.
There was so much to see. We were treated to a pottery demonstration in Avanos, the center of pottery since the hitites and bought some beautiful hand painted bowls, had an amazing Turkish night with whirling dervishes and fantastic local entertainment, plus all you could drink (yes a good evening for all). Restaurants in caves, shops in caves and yes we even stayed three nights in a cave hotel and were given the honeymoon suite, which we shared with our friends by hosting evening cocktails.
So what more could we see? Well on our last day we went to Derinkuyu underground city. There many huge underground cities in the area and Derinkuyu is the deepest with stables, cellars, storage rooms, churches, etc.; with an underground river running at the very bottom. It was surreal.
Apart from our time off the boat we have enjoyed getting to know Marmaris and the locals, many who have become friends. The Turkish are some of the most delightful and trusting people we have ever met. The other week I was given three cushions to bring back to the boat, to check out, no money exchanged just a smile and see you soon - amazing. They are such a happy race that look after one other and who really work hard. Mind you they have no idea of safety. A one-way street - what is that as a car comes towards you while you bike along the narrow area with people on the road darting in and out. Helmets, no one wears one, not even on a motorbike that more often then not has a family of four on board. Haggling is part of their culture too, we start at 50% off the asked price and everyone has fun over Turkish tea or coffee that the vendors all over the place balance on swinging trays. Always "you're killing me" is said by them or us; with big smiles when the deal is done, hands shaken with appreciation that we bargained well.
The social life here has been crazy, mind you we have been working hard so the nights are for fun. Recently we had a big St. George's day bash, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day aboard Storm Vogel a beautiful 74' yacht (the first Maxi built, 50 years old on Monday and the boat in Dead Calm); which is skippered by a 26 year old kiwi friend from Russell's home town of Timaru (boat builder who has made us a custom wakeboard), weekly happy hours, onboard entertaining and so it goes on. I have even found time to work with my NuSkin business; which is going very well, however we are hoping life will be a bit quieter once we leave.
I could write so much more, but I have nearly filled two pages; which is enough. Instead we look forward to sharing our adventures with you in person. We attach lots of photos in our gallery (we were asked for more) and will try and update our blog more often now that we are able to kick back a bit. Hope this finds you healthy and happy - enjoy.