emily tanbts Blog on RealTravel

Cappadocia journal: Peri Pension

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:45:26 GMT

Really nice place with fairy chimneys, jacuzzi and hospitable staff!

Contact:

www.pericavehotel.com

info@pericavehotel.com

Istanbul journal: Istanbul - Paris of the East

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:21:36 GMT

More photos of Istanbul can be viewed here!

Day 0 - On Emirates, Transit at Dubai Airport

Had a free breakfast as we had a 9 hours transit (but we were really fed up with this particular waiter with poor service standard & hence left), washed up at a secluded toilet that we found near the business center (yay!! as it contains body lotion & soup which we spreaded very generously on our bodies due to air dryness) and eventually concussed at the waiting area, to quote my fren "we slept like shit". Haha! We are like how crude! I was checked as I failed the metal detector test. ...

Kyrenia journal: Cyprus- Girne (Kyrenia)

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:19:55 GMT

More photos of Cyprus can be viewed here!

Day 6-8

Highlights

1. At Ercan Airport, flight was delayed by 45 mins. Eventually took off at 1030 pm instead of 9 pm. It was one of the worst flight ever as the plane was small and there was heavy rain. The turbulences seemed to be a perpetual thing at one point on the plane. :( The cab fare in Cyprus was horrendous, jumping by 50 cents every few minutes. It came up to 85 lira for a 60 Km drive from Ercan Airport to our hotel at Girne (Kyrenia). Eventually paid 70 lira after some haggling with the caddy. It was 2 am when we reached ...

Turkey journal: Merhaba Turkey!

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:18:53 GMT

Merhaba Turkey means Hello Turkey!

Spent 3 glorious weeks with my three other dear friends Vivi, SK and TWM!

This is my graduation trip; my first time back packing; my first time taking various transport including by plane, ferries, taxis, trams, dolbus; my first time catching Eurovision, my first time hitchhiking, my first time going on a private tour with 2 young tour guides! So many first times here!!

The cosmopolitcan Istanbul; The wonderful volcanic landforms at Cappadocia; Jumping into the Mediterranean Sea; The splendors of Aspendos & Ephesus; Eating kofte, pide, ...

Istanbul journal: Istanbul - The Asian Side

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:26:52 GMT

Day 18 - Back in Istanbul

Arrived in Istanbul after a long ride via KOC coach. Really comfortable bus but I am suffering from transportation fatigue. Almost all of us are.. I think. Recall that we wanted to give Simit another chance? So today we had breakfast at Sirkeci after checking in at Ali's Papa place. We were suspecting that Ali Papa might pass away before our arrival as his breathing is so heavy! So yes, we had Simit, muffins and tea for our slow breakfast. At the right hand side corner, a rather old couple is making out. Anyway we had a conversation on Turkish Men. One Turk told ...

Selcuk journal: Ephesus

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:24:03 GMT

Day 15 - Arrived in Selcuk!

After Pammukale, we arrived here in 3 hours!! Yipee! Met a Bulgarian lady who is really friendly and directed us back to our hotel, Jimmy's Place! They called her 穿越时空 btw.. characterized by her 70's hairstyle, Reebok shoes with long skirt and a yellow poncho like jacket . SK & Twm were really affected when she left without taking a picture with her. She is really a nice person albeit her out of the world dressing! The staff at Jimmy's Place speaks excellent english! Jimmy's brother Adam married a New Zealander and some relatives come over for a visit! We were ...

Pamukkale journal: Pamukkale

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:19:57 GMT

Day 15 A Mantle of White

We wanted to spend the night here at Pammukale just to learn from Hallis (Peri Pension Cappadocia) that we just have to spend a few hours there and we will be done with viewing Pammukale! Anyway he is right! Personally, I think that this place is overrated and is better viewed from a postcard or afar! haha. It wasn't extremely spectacular close up or perhaps I set my expectations too high! I think the latter is more true! I am a diplomatic person too. So anyway this place looks like a mantle of white! As though we are on a snow capped mountain on a hot day which ...

Antalya journal: Antalya

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:18:36 GMT

Day 12 Archaeological Museum

Today is our first day at Antalya after a gruelling ride of 8 hours. My knee caps hurt! I think that it has to do with the chairs of the Suha/Sufu/Sofa Bus! The chairs do not fit nicely according to the human body. Try to avoid this bus company when you are in Turkey! This is my first time feeling so bad after a ride! Luckily for us, Hallis made some arrangements for us so we had a pick up from Kaleici Pansiyon! This guy according to vivien has a "you-can-count-on-me -look". haha. I thought that this sounds v amusing!:) We sat in his MPV/Van (I dunno how to ...

Cappadocia journal: Kappadokya: The land of the beautiful horses

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:10:19 GMT

Day 8 - Traffic Day

Took a 3 hour ferry from Girne to Tasucu. It was real bumpy and it is officially the worst ride for me in this entire trip! Afterwhich we took a taxi to the Otocar to take another 2 hour bus ride to Mersin. Afterwhich we took another 3 hour bus ride to Nigde to learn that the bus service to Cappadocia stops at 6 pm. The guy at the first Otocar did not tell us this!!! Stranded, we bought our bus tickets for the following morning and proceeded to look for a hotel for a stayover. Eventually we found one and had the cheapest meal ever in Turkey at just $12.50 Lira! SK ...

Istanbul journal: Ali Papa, our dearest father

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:40:44 GMT

Ali Papa is the best! He tells a lot of jokes incessantly! He takes good care of us and knows our likes and dislikes! A place to stay at when u you in Istanbul-Sultanamet!

Antalya journal: Antalya Beach, next to the Mediterranean Sea!

Wed, 30 May 2007 23:24:27 GMT

In place of sand, there are pebbles! My first time seeing pebbles on the beach which makes it cool as it does not stick to you after a dip in the sea! The waves were huge and the water is icy cold! Do jump into the sea. I was hit by the waves twice and did a fancy 360 spin in the waters!

Cappadocia journal: Breaking the Potteries!

Wed, 30 May 2007 02:25:09 GMT

Fantastic and delicious fare despite the not exactly fabulous ambience. The boss is hospitable and gave us complimentary baklava when we returned for a second dinner! Also, he gave us souvenirs on our last night at Cappadocia. Definitely a place to eat at when you are at Cappadocia! We ate there for 3 nights!