TURKEY

As a traveller I prefer to go to unusual, off-the-beaten track places, to learn about a different culture and the hostory of an area, partucluarly the ancient history, such as the Incas, Egyptians and Nazcas etc. Although I've come across some favoured places, such as Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico and Malawi, I like to go to new places, so why am I drawn to Turkey?

Imagine a country that offers everything you can dream of. A country where the people are friendly, the food, wine and beer are “to die for” and that has with a fascinating history. A land fringed with 7 200km of spectacular shoreline along the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea from where it climbs to high mountains spotted with lakes, nature reserves and monuments. Turkey is such a place and is, without doubt, a place for everyone, from history buffs to adventure lovers, and, what’s more, it’s relatively safe. I've left my backpack, with all my worldy belongings, at a bus office only to return after an hour or more to find it untouched.

The meuzzin's call sends shivers down my spine and I love to watch the men going to mosque, and as for the Blue Mosque - it's one of my favourite places on earth, feeling the solky-soft carpets between my toes and watching myriad blue shades scatter light across pillars and people.

The people are friendly, particularly the men who have a refreshing appeal and don't appear to be concerned about a woman's age or size, almost as if they celebrate women. Although they do say of local women, "they get married, have a baby and get fat". Men spend much of their time in tea rooms, smoking, playing backgammon and drinking endless tulip-shaped glasses of chai. In the evenings you will find women enjoying the company of other women, sitting on their front stoep talking and crochetting.

The food is divine, everything from a simple pide (Turkish pizza) to mezze of stuffed cabbage leaves, humus, flatbread, yogurt etc. Not normally a beer drinker, I enjoy the local Efes beer and Turkish wines are also excellent, particularly the red Yakut where I confess I picked up the disgusting habit of cooling it in the fridge or with ice - well, it's too hot there to drink it at room temperature, and anyway it doesn't spoil the taste.

The monuments are magnificent, both man-made and by Mother Nature. One of the highlights of my life was watching Elton John play a grand piano at the antique theatre at Efes against a backdrop of the glittering Aegena. Not far away is the old castle where John the Baptist is said to have visited while up the hill is the home of Mary. From Efes it's possible to catch a donkey cart ride to eat the most delicious pancakes, Turksih style reclining on cushions.

To the east is the world's highjest free-standing mountain, sharing the border with Iran. While on the north Black Sea coast is the amazing Sumela Monastery, clinging to a mountainside above a nature reserve.

I could go on but that's all for now, just a few tidbits to whet your appetite.