November 2017 - Solotravel

Gallipoli

The coach left Istanbul headed for Gallipoli on time, with our bags stowed in the bus. What bliss having someone take my bag away and not have to worry about it and its weight. The coach was comfortable enough but certainly not luxury seating. I was disappointed to see there were no toilets in the rear, wondering what the story would be if people needed to go in a hurry! That question was soon answered by Berna our guide for the fortnight She gave us a full description of the days activities including times of comfort stops as she called them! Turkish guides are all licensed and carry papers with them in case the bus is stopped and checked, as indeed it was several days later.
Our excellent driver Birtol was indeed one of those professional drivers that I have come to respect,his driving was superb and his patience unending.
The scenery changed little in the drive to Gallipoli and Anzac cove but as we drew closer the flat land changed into hilly and some mountains. As we drove along side some of the Dardanelle sea, the strait between the Marmara and the Aegean there were some wonderful views to be seen. We reached Anzac cove in the middle of the day, the hottest part.

We stopped alongside the lonely cemetery by the sea shore. The many graves of the allied soldiers buried there a tribute to their sacrifice. Their ages ranging from teenagers to those in their the forties I must say it was an emotional visit . To actually see the area that these men fought in, certainly explained it with the beach being at the bottom of hills and mountains a very difficult scenario. Towering over the area a rock formation called the sphinx for its likeness to the egyptian relic. Anzac cove while named where the cemetery was located actually stretched a distance in a gentle bay of considerable size. We left here, the coach climbing up through the pine covered mountains.

Pine trees surprised me I had never connected them to Turkey. While ours grow a lot bigger and appear healthier, these seemed to survive the heat and the dry conditions they grew in, but lacked the size. Perhaps they were harvested at a smaller size.
The next stop on our Gallipoli tour was at the Lone Pine cemetery where the majority of the Australian troops were buried. A simply stunning location, overlooking the sea, with a memorial stone that also included the names of many New Zealanders who lost their lives along side the Australian soldiers. The middle of the graves was a Lone Pine obviously the reason for the name.

The next stop was to show us the Turkish memorial, our guide being Turkish . An outstanding memorial to their fallen and of which the guide was very proud. The final stop was to see the actual trenches the men had fought in, all restored now but you could imagine the horrors of having to be in them , whether in summer or winter. The day was extremely hot when we visited, a winter would be awfully cold and miserable without any fighting.
The memorial at Chunuk Bair to the New Zealanders that lost their lives in the first World War.

Leaving all the cemeteries and memorials behind the bus turned towards the town for the ferry crossing from the european side of Turkey to the asian side. There is just 3 % of Turkey in Europe with the remainder being on what is called the asian side. We arrived early for the ferry so waited a few minutes in the queue of vehicles parked in the street also waiting to board the ferry. The ferry arriving discharged its load of vehicles including many coaches, after which they started on loading the queue. It seemed at first that we wouldn’t make this particular trip as the boat seemed to be quite full, but no there was room just….for the bus.

We all got off and headed for the upper deck for the best views of the Dardanelle straits. Truly lovely in the mid afternoon sun, the ferry turning before going through the exit from the harbour. A twenty minute trip that was nearly over before we realised it, and had to get back on the bus ready to drive off, of course there is always one late person, today there was no exception, the guide rushing off to find them and just making it back before the driver took off. There has to be order with the loading and unloading of the vehicles and I gathered no one was allowed to linger once the ferry was docked!
From here we were driven to Canakkale where we were spending our first night of our tour after meeting at the hotel the day before.
The hotel turned out to be situated right on the beach front, as well as having pools . Once our luggage was in the rooms, which were very nice, we changed into swimming gear and went down to the pools. They turned out to be salt water pools that were really warm. The best part was you didn’t sink, floating became the order of the day! A chance to experience the Dead sea. for real.
Many people from the coach took advantage of the great conditions , some going down to the beach, some in the pools , some sitting at the bar holding a cold beer! After the pool there was time for showering and dress for dinner, something I hadn’t counted on, with my limited wardrobe a hard call. The dinner was a very nice one and the end of a perfect day.

Siem reap to Kuala lumpur

Last day in Siem Reap , I asked the tuktuk driver to show me the markets and the well known watering hole of Pub Street. The markets were amazing, the rows of small shops with every conceivable item. Hot, busy and occasionally odorous it was lovely to wander through and seeing the selling that was going on all around. I spent a long time getting theoretically lost but it was a sight to see. Markets are the same the world over whether in Tashkent, Istanbul , it’s just the degree of sounds and smells that vary. Unlike the sanitized health and safety approved markets that the so called first world has.

From the markets it was on to Pub street and its surrounds. Stopping at a local temple to enjoy the peace of the surroundings, that temples and churches seem to do very well. I wandered through, but outside it was becoming hotter and hotter. So back to the tuktuk to be dropped off at Pub street for a well earned cold drink. This place is the centre of the night time activities here with all the cafes, restaurants and tourists looking for a good time.

Getting back to the guesthouse I spoiled myself with another fish massage, something that has fascinated me. I don’t know that it does any good, but it feels nice. Down the dusty and pot holed street for a last dinner in Siem Reap. I sat outside while dinner was somewhat unhygienically cooked but tasty. Bag sorted and ready to go, I was going to miss the friendly guest house staff.

Grabbed another tuktuk for the trip out to the airport. Flew Malaysian this time, very nice, it was complete with meal but not enough time to watch the movie before landing in Kl. It was a simple matter to get the train into and around KL and on to the Onestop residence I was booked into. Cheaper than most, you never know what you are going to find when that’s the case.
The worst part was getting off the train and having to trudge through the access way from the train to the hotel, and then through an empty mall building with impossible signs to follow. After getting anxious, I eventually made it to my room, which was certainly large enough. A jug and fridge, but no where to plug the jug in except down on the floor next to the fridge.

It turned out to be a worthwhile cheapie, even if the jug had to be on the floor, and a fridge in these tropical climes, a must have! Transport wise the train handy and cheap.

the Angkor Wat Temples

The main reason to visit Cambodia was to see the famous temples of Angkor Wat, I wasn’t disappointed. My driver picked me up at 5 am ready to see the sunrise over the temples along with at least a thousand others. Our first stop was to buy tickets, I chose to have the 3 day pass for $40 but the were other choices.
He kindly gave me a torch to use, a definitely needed item. It was indeed strange walking with others at that time of the morning.
I was there early, but not before others had already made themselves comfortable, set up cameras, but at least it was in the front! The toll on my legs of standing still for nearly two hours meant I had to get moving or fall down!
Headed for the toilets were true to form I was asked for a 1000 real, fortunately I did have a note. Cambodia mostly uses the US dollar as currency, but gives change in Cambodian real which are virtually valueless it would seem.
Making it back into seeing the sun do its thing over the temples.
Then it was off to see around the temples, the biggest Angkor Wat truly stunning . I find getting up and down steps rather difficult these days so found them a bit of a trial. The sheer size of this building and site in general certainly puts it up there with the largest sacred building in the world. All this achieved over a thousand years ago, as they were built around the twelfth century. Just wandering round the grounds and some of the other buildings awe inspiring.
Then it was on to some of the others, the one that stood out for me was Ta Prohm where I was told some of Indiana jones was filmed. The roots taking over the buildings, and some of the admiration as well. I was a bit annoyed by a scam artist trying to take advantage of my supposed naivety. At each temple we were asked for the tickets to be shown.
The Bayon temple was another standout for me with the faces of buddha, you can only wonder at the skill and talent of past builders.
The usual hawkers and annoying children always getting in your face. I had to wonder why some of the school age children were there , assuming that the families really needed the extra money
Banteay srei, built to the Hindu god Vishnu, was some distance of 37 kms from Siem reap itself, but the Tuk tuk managed in fine style ,this one had striking carvings on the remaining ruins. Very much set up for the tourist.
Unfortunately the toilet block was set up with squat toilets apart from the disabled one ,that I waited for! Then it was back to Siem reap after a long and exciting day.

Horse tethered at Angkor wat, I have no idea why!!

Cambodia and Beautiful Angkor Wat

Good flight to Cambodia, the easiest access to an airport I have ever had.
Going through customs I met an older lady drinking her water that she had forgotten, I was consigned to the same place ,and a few minutes later more joined us. We all got chatting of course there was a twenty something girl travelling alone to Burma , the same place as the older,swiss lady also travelling alone. We all had a lot in common and conversation flowed filling up the time before the respective flights all while drinking the water!
The Airbus 320-200 appeared fairly new, a vast improvement on the previous one.
The hours trip to Siem reap uneventful. the visa/ customs hall was interesting, there were two officers taking passports, forms and US 20 for the visa fee, plus a dollar if you had no photo. the passport was then passed along through 8 individual officers before reaching the women who called your name for the finished product.
My passport now sports a very nice visa along with all the others.
I was met by a rep from the hotel in a TukTuk for the ride to the Golden Takeo.Awesome ride and an exciting one, very reminiscent of other Asian countries. bikes, Tuk tuks, mixed in with the normal tankers, buses and cars.
He took me to the ATM and supermarket to get a few things. I was staggered to find out the currency of choice is the Almighty US dollar, with small change given in Cambodian real.
the guesthouse was through town and down dusty metal road, roaming dogs, roosters not cats as yet!!! The roads are appalling being metal with half filled potholes that all the tuktuks swerve to avoid. Clean and tidy little guest house catering for 10 rooms .
That evening I took myself to a buffet and cambodian dancing a very reasonable $12 for the evening plus drinks. The wide range of food was a pleasure to try and contemplate over. The owner of the guesthouse provided a tuk tuk ride both ways which was very reassuring as I don’t like being out after dark in strange cities.