9 March 2015 - Wanderings through the anatolian countryside

Another gorgeous Spring day greeted us.  Clear blue skies but funnily enough there is a mist over the snow capped mountains in the distance so we can just see them but would love a clear view.

Breakfast including a sigaret - pastry roll with feta

Hotel Dort Mevsim

Breakfast was magnificent again and this time Luke ate more as he knew we would be walking lots….and we did!

First stop of the day was at the lake at the base of the travertines to feed the geese, ducks and fish.  The water is SO clear and such a beautiful colour.

Some of these crumbling dwellings are still inhabited.

Reflecting on the beauty!

It felt as if we should feel cold but it isn't snow!

Using up our bread scraps

Ducks, geese and fish in the clear water

We started off down the road in search of a village but didn’t find it!!  We did have a nice walk in the countryside and enjoyed all the tumbling down cottages and olive groves and random farm animals and found an old foundation to sit on for morning snack.

For our friends, the Tepe family!  Your name is everywhere.

Shepherds still exist -  an interesting thought when one considers Australian sheep farmers

Back to the town centre for refreshments and then off up the road to the South Gate of the Hieropolis for scenic wander.  There were shepherds and a shepherdess with their sheep, small dairies, olive groves and farmers at work.  The far misty mountains could just be seen but the view over the travertines we were expecting were too misty.  

Ice creams in main street...note Travertines in hinterground

Sheep with tails and bells

Shepherds with sheep and crooks

Blossoms heralding springtime

Wildflower or weed - depends on perspective

I spotted a milk truck collecting milk from a small dairy.  I waved to the driver and went over to see if I could buy some fresh milk and after some gesticulating he gave me a whole bottle (old soft drink bottle) of the foamy fresh milk.  He then showed me his cigarette lighter and indicated that it should be boiled.  I was so tempted just to drink the raw product, but not knowing the hygiene standards of the milking shed,  I gave it to our hosts here at the hotel to boil, so we are looking forward to some creamy milk tomorrow!

Country scene

Probably no foundations judging by the wobbly roof

Enjoying the old houses

Dry river bed and such "young" geology

Dry river bed - ? Fault line - very earthquake prone region

Shepherd's hut

Shepherdess in the hill country

Stone walls and blossom!

Rustic dwelling with solar hot water!

Olive groves

Fresh milk in soft drink bottle!

The sky was a beautiful blue but I suppose the cold mountain air causes the mist.  It was so lovely just to walk and enjoy.  This is one of the benefits of slow travel like we are doing as there is time to have days when we simply drink in the local ambiance.  By this time we were tired and Luke described his legs as “shaky”.  We had probably walked at least 10 kms.  We were more than ready for a drink and “uber lunch” (my new phrase for our persistently very late lunches at 3 PM!) back at the Ottoman House.

Ottoman house uber lunch

Our table was occupied by others so we chose another carpet decorated booth.  So cosy and homely.  Lunch was delicious and we must have won favour now because we were offered apple chai as refreshment.

Chai

The common room/restaurant at our hotel is also homely and I was able to supervise a couple of days’ worth of maths work with Luke who worked reasonably well considering the distractions.  Then he and Ahmet, the owners’ 9 yo son played with Luke’s Lego.

Turkish feast!

Green beans never tasted so good!

Chicken and rice - extremely nice!

As it is our last night at this place, we decided to eat here.  What a delicious meal!!  Kofte and Sat Kebabs, mixed vegetables and green beans, chips (!) and copious amounts of Turkish bread and olive oil.  Really scrumptious food which even Luke gobbled down.  Hassan offered us a complimentary glass of Pamukkale red wine each.  For an almost tea-totaller like me, it seemed rude to refuse and I did like the bit I tasted.  Karl wasn’t going to complain about drinking the rest of the wine I didn’t!

At Annika’s suggestion we had an after dinner walk back around the still lake at the base of the travertines.  The geese were honking and the lake was still and reflective.  A very lovely after dinner suggestion indeed!