We actually hit upon Turkey as a Plan B. The original plan to go to Canada from Hong Kong died a natural death once we realised that some part of the holiday would be hijacked by having to visit relatives in the East, while we wanted to concentrate on the Western areas of Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.
Our last three ventures having been to Europe, we felt a bit "cathedral and cobblestone streeta and quaint squared out". Which is when we hit on Turkey as being almost on the doorstep of Europe but with enough of its own identity and culture to create its own identity for us.
Turkey did not disappoint us in the least in this regard. We returned with the ubiquitous carpets, several more kilos on our frames and wonderful memories, and above all, a deeper understanding of a fascinating country with a unique form of diversity in every regard. In the span of one month we went from Mediterannean sunshine at Marmaris to the wet and cold of Ankara and Safranbolu. We saw the bikini clad beaches of Bodrum and Fethiye and the ultra conservatism of Sanliurfa. We experienced the height of commercial aggressiveness in the Grand Bazaar and the quiet, gentle urging of artisans in Avanos. We feasted our eyes on the turquoise blues and greens of the Aegean and Mediterranean and the absolutely other worldly landscape of Cappadocia.
Turkey truly does have something for everyone - history, art, architecture, a unique cuisine, great shopping, beaches. All with the warmth and generosity of a wonderful people. So as they say in Turkey : Hosgeldenim - Welcome !
