Bolu, Lakes and Caves. Turkey 2014

21 April 2014

The last city on our Central Anatolian Tour  tour was Bolu and the nearby lakes plus some magnificent caves. Bolu city was a bit ho hum and an anticlimax after Safronbolu but everyone entered " into the spirit " of the day even though it was FREEZING at the lakes. Have to admit though both the lakes and the caves were impressive.

Our tour group overnighted  in Bolu as it was close to Ankara so we only had a short bus ride to the airport  the next day where our tour ended.

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

There were a number of beautiful properties on the lake edge.

It wasn't too cold for these beautiful flowers

Fran found it just a "tad cold!"

Picnic Spot on the Lake shore. Brrrrr!

Another Picnic Spot and beautiful hose in the distance.

Part of an ancient Aqueduct

Can you find Fran?

There were a variety of colours.

Some of our group heading up the steps.

The different formations were amazing.

Ancient Safronbolu, Turkey 2014

April 2014
After having our fun and feeling very well exercised we continued our journey to the delightful  old city of Safronbolu with its beautifully restored Ottoman houses.We had been wanting to visit this city since we first arrived in Turkey as we had heard so much about it and we were certainly not disappointed!

There are 1008 registered historical artifacts in the Old Town so no the wonder it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994. The Old Mosque, Old Bath and Suleyman Pasha Medrese were all built in 1322.

Safronbolu was an important "caravan" stop on the main East West Silk Road route from 13th to the early 20th century when the railway commenced. The spice, "saffron" was grown and traded in this area hence the derivation of the name of the city.

There is so much to see and do in this ancient city that we would have liked to have stayed for many days but as we were on a tour we had to continue on never-the-less we saw a tremendous amount while there.

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them,)

Street view and the Old Mosque

Crazy Shell Greatures in Central Anatolia!

Icecream and Lollipop Vendor

Too Cute

Miniture  Ottoman Houses for Sale!

Typical Street Scene

Fran wandering down the street under the "chatter box balconies"

Handmade Turkish Shoes

Silver and Stone Vendor

Our Lunch spot.

In addtion to visiting Safronbolu we also vistited an old town nearby where there were a number of re-furbiished traditional  Ottoman  houses made from wood and plaster. The owners showed us around and inside a number of them and we were struct by the amazing woodwork. All of us had to pose in the exact same spot where Fran and Tom are sitting in the photo below.

Captured!

Our group inside of the the houses.

Part of a very old laundry.

Ottoman house and Mosque

Traditional  Ottoman house.

There was also a number of restaurants and stores selling "traditional items" and of course a lot of "tourist junk" However,  it was fun wandering around taking way to many photographs.

Just for the tourists.

Near one of the restaurants.

Tiny store selling dried herbs.

On the Road in Central Anatolia., Turkey 2014

19 April, 2014

As we travelled towards our next city on our Central Anatolian tour we stopped for a vigorous walk along  a large ravine with amazing rock formations. It was such a steep climb along narrow edge with a deep drop we all felt "very brave" and decided to have our photos taken very close to the edge.

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

We were surprised to see the sheep on the road as usually there are goats grazing on the side of the road

That's Michael climbing way up there. Tash our guide was not impressed!

Gloria was not worried about Michael at all.

Phil and Maria

Edward and Ina

Fran and Tom (Tom wanted more of the cliff face in our photo!)

Craig and Lesley (laughing again as usual!)

Samsun and Sinop, Turkey, 2014

18 April, 2014

After our relaxed time in Amasya our tour took us to Samsun  and  then Sinop on the Black Sea Coast. We had visited both these cities on a previous tour. View the previous Posts at  Turkey-Black Sea-2014. Meanwhile here is a sample of Samsun the larger industrial town and Sinop the delightful seaside town.

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Inside the wooden Mosque near Samsun

Delightful Sinop

Part of the Prison Complex at Sinop

Sinop Prison

Sinop Prison with our group listening intently.

Sinop on the Black Sea Coast

View from our hotel in Sinop

Sinop

Memorial at Samsun

Ataturk's Ship at Samsun

Amasya, Central Turkey, 2014

17 April 2014

Our journey continued from Corum to the city of Amasya perched between the dramatic mountainside and the banks of the Yesilirmak River. This was scenery "to die for" with  the brilliant white restored Ottoman houses on the riverbank and the 3rd century Pontic Tombs  cut into the sheer cliffs. Our hotel was high above the city overlooking the river and the Harsena (Hittite) Hilltop Fortress. Both our cameras were overworked as no matter which way you turned there was always another potential  picturesque postcard  photo to be taken!

An interesting highlight of our tour of the city was to visit the Ilkhanid Birmarhane  or so called "Mongal madhouse"  and Medical Museum. This was the site of the first mental asylum in Turkey (1308) which used music and water therapy to calm the patients.

We were rather surprised while on our visit to the  Gok Medrese Blue Seminary (13th C)  that we were able to wander around taking photographs of the young  Koranic students during their training sessions. 

Amasya was one of the most beautiful Turkish cities we have visited in our  3 years in Turkey and we would certainly recommend a visit if you are ever in this "corner of the world"

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Note the old water wheel.

Mosque and Pontic Tombs

The Green River (Yesilirmak River)

Our group at the "Mongal madhouse"

One of the musical  inventions for  calming patients

Enlarge to read about the Asylum

One of Amasya's famous Doctors (1386-1470)

Entrance to the Seminary

Some of or group inside the seminary

Koranic Students

Fran at the Harsena Hilltop Fortress

The breathtaking  view from our hotel