From Cappadocia to Istanbul

The plan when I booked the trip to Cappadocia was for me to fly back to Istanbul on May 2nd and then get a transfer to the port to board the cruise ship.  However, my guide also had to return to Istanbul that day so I was given the option of driving there rather than flying.  It is quite a distance and the "road trip" was going to take about 7 1/2 hours.  However, that would only be about one hour longer than flying given the distance to Keyseri airport, the need to check-in at least 2 hours before, etc.  So, I grabbed the opportunity to be able to see more of the Turkish countryside.

Before we left, Ata had suggested we watch the sunrise - around 5:30.  So, we met just before 5 and headed to the same viewpoint we'd been the previous day.  As I mentioned in the blog about the balloons, we were lucky that, again, they were cleared to fly.  This time all across the valley you could see the flames of the torches heating the helium and the balloons.  Suddenly, they were all lifting into the air and it was truly magical.  After enjoying that, we left just before the sun cleared the horizon.  

We drove north and eventually west.  Our first stop was at Tuz Golu, a salt lake where salt is harvested and distributed throughout Turkey.  The shore had a slightly pinkish colour to it.  Increasingly, as we drove along, the land become more agricultural with grains being the main crops.

We continued on and the countryside gradually changed and became more green and hilly.  We took the ring road around Ankara, Turkey's capital.  It is basically a government town without a lot of tourism.  We continued on taking another break.  It was interesting that at many of the stops on the motorway had guys washing cars.  So, while you are in getting refreshments or taking a "comfort" break, you car is cleaned.  

When we started heading west, we drove through mountain passes in the Caucasus mountains and Ata told me that during the winter that they were often closed due to snow.  I have never thought of Turkey being particularly snowy but I guess it is and the winters can be quite harsh.  

We made good time getting to Istanbul but, once we were in the city, the traffic became a nightmare.  Later, I heard that for some people staying in the old town, which is not that far from the port, the ride took an hour.  That was the same for us as well.  Finally, I was dropped off at the port and, once there, it only took about 20 minutes to check-in for my cruise, board the ship and get to my stateroom.  It has been a long day but I was so glad I made that choice.  The view from my cabin overlooked GalataPort, the cruise terminal and a shopping centre.

Now, just an aside before I start blogging about my cruise with the first day being a tour of Istanbul.  In every place I've visited since I have been here, I have seen lots of homeless dogs and cats.  Ata told me that the government provides money to have the animals neutered and fed.  Everywhere you go the animals are respected and seem content - and they truly are everywhere!  It is part of the country's philosophy to take care of animals as they are seen as creatures of God.  It was heartening.