Well, after these 4 weeks, it looks as though both Jb and I have avoided the Greek and Turkish jail systems, all of our limbs are fully functioning, and we still have a little (very little!) cash in our pockets. From the bustling city of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys and caves of Goreme to the magical waters and ruins of Olympus and on to the Blue Cruise from Olympus to Fethiye with 13 crazy French/Aussie/Portuguese/American passengers to Saklikent and Pammukale and then to Selcuk and Ephesus and off to the Greek (Party) islands of Samos, Mykonos, Ios, and Santorini and finally back to the enormous, cultural capital of Turkey, Istanbul, we have survived and even picked up some souvenirs for you guys!
Besides the motorbike accident, the hospital visit, the refugee situation and my slugfest with the motorbike owners (along with the police ride), we made it alright. That isn't to say we weren't depressed after running 7k with our bags across Mykonos only to be shutdown at the port and watch our ferry release its ropes 30 seconds before we got there or not ever getting picked up at our hotel or ferry in Greece or paying out of our rears for ever disco, club, ruin and toilet? (yes, toilet) out there. But we counterbalanced those pay-me-now situations with our own lawless instincts developed in the backwaters of Texas (i.e. walking through a swamp literally in the Roman ruins of Olympus to avoid going through a tollbooth or walking into other hostels and having breakfast or evening acting like a local by cartwheeling or dancing in the street to make some extra cash, etc.).
Overall, it was one of my better trips with all of the adventure, partying, cultural exchanges and excursions, and, of course, the donner kebap! (lots and lots and lots of donner and souvlaki..many times a day or night if you catch my drift) That isn't to say that I didn't spend the most money I've ever spent on a trip or regretted using an overpriced travel agent help us poor backpackers to stay at equally overpriced hotels (budget: $3000, reality: $6000, ouch!) Lesson learned here folks. Do NOT use a travel agent if you have half a brain. The mistakes are a part of the joy of traveling. At least when you make mistakes, you can blame yourself, and if you do something great or see something unique and fabulous, you can thank yourself and adjust your travel plans accordingly.
So let's see...adventure, partying, cultural yoohoos, and, oh yes, the most important event on the trip...the women! Turkish women are amazing. They have this exotic flare to them, belly dance and cook a great meal to start. Of course, I am speaking from my experience here with my "fragrance"...your results may differ, that is if you have results. ha.
Ok, so, yes, if you need any guidance, Mr. Amor is here for ya. I got the lay of the land backwards and forwards from Istanbul to Constantinople..wait a sec...Istanbul is Constantinople! right right. Yeah, but regards, I'm your man.
Mama loves you babies! t r a v e l b e a u t i f u l , prem
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