Location of where I caught the bus for the tour.
I was so lucky to have the experience to travel to Turkey. I didn’t know this but I actually left the European continent and went to Asia. Funky huh? Now I can say I have been to Asia.
The boat ride was lovely. We left at 8 am this morning and it took an hour and half. The tour I was on took us to a couple of stops in local shops before setting us free for 5 hours to venture on our own. The first stop was a gold and diamond store that the sales men were as aggressive as “Brick Salesman”. I actually wanted to buy a nice piece of jewelry from this trip but they were so forward and pushy that I backed off. They had lovely pieces but way over priced, yet they said they were “cheap” because of the low cost of the middle man. At one time I had three men trying to sell me a 10,000.
Some "manly" statue at the bus stop!
00 bracelet (diamonds and sapphires) for the low price of 5,000.00. Ya right! I was really going to spend that on a piece of jewelry in Turkey on some black market.
The next stop was the Turkish rugs. I wasn’t interested in a rug either. Try getting that in my suitcase. Remember I had to throw my perfectly new hairdryer out. I thought that all hotels would have one. Not my “Bar Alley” hole. It doesn’t even have soap. I’m glad I brought my own. Now you should see my hair! I am actually contemplating knocking on the door next to me and asking to borrow a hair blower.
Oh Yeah! I have to tell you about my hotel last night. It wasn’t all that noisy until 3:30 this morning. Then the singing began. Germany was singing their national anthem as loud as they could on the balcony. Then Spain tried to outdo them.
Turkey in the distance.
Next came other nationalities. They kept it up until 5: 48. To be young again!The only good thing is I knew those same kids wouldn’t be eating breakfast with me at 7 am before my boat ride to Turkey.
Back to Turkey. After the carpet place, we were allowed to explore on our own. I have taken some pictures of the little store fronts in the bazaar. Each person sitting or standing outside their store, comes up to you and grabs your hand and pulls you into their store. I don’t mean, gently on the arm. They slimily grab you and pull you close. Didn’t they know I can’t buy anything as I have NO room in my suitcase. There are numerous gold shops, shoes, handbags, clothing stores. Apparently there are the real shops dispersed amongst them but most are knockoffs.
I finally went up the beach and went for a stroll.
Leaving the port. See the fortress. All Greek cities are fortified.
The beach was filthy and packed as you can see from the pictures.
I ate myself through Turkey. I wanted to try Turkish coffee, Turkish tea and their specialty food. At the restaurant is where I was offered the time of my life. Needless to say I said “No thank you, I am waiting for my gay girlfriend”. They didn’t understand. Well I wasn’t going to get descriptive so I just tried to ignore them.
You will notice I changed my pictures to Sepia. I wonder if any of you techies can tell me if I can change them back or is Turkey forever in a brown hue? See, everything happens for a reason. Turkey was brown as far as I was concerned.
I am safely back in Rhodes and loving it. Everyone warned me how aggressive the Greek men were but they have been lambs. They have only been sweet.
Must run as my battery on the laptop is dying. Take care and tomorrow I am touring Rhodes. Heading to Lindos and the ruins.
