Explore The World

Midnight Express was one of my favourite movies. Set in Turkey in the 1970s it portrayed Turkish prisons as being violent and brutal – the movie is a based on a true story of a young American who lands in prison after smuggling hashish out of Turkey.

So I knew nothing about Turkey when I first visited with my mate BK in 1986 apart from Midnight Express and Gallipoli – where thousands of young Kiwis and Australians lost their lives in the First World War.

Some places we visited in Turkey

Anzac Cove – where the Australians and Kiwis landed and died

Tourist map 1986 style

The trenches at the top of the hill – Kiwis and Aussies were lambs to slaughter

BK admiring the great Ataturk

We spent time on the coast both in 1986 and 1989. Absolutely stunning water and what a totally relaxed lifestyle.

Somewhere on the Turkish coast 1989

The water and coastline is magical

Olive haven – I hate Olives

But spices I love

Plenty of magnificent Mosques in Turkey

The history and ruins of Turkey are just fantastic. I thought Greece had all the wonderful ruins of yesteryear – but not a patch on Turkey.

Ephesus – 1986 very few visitors

Ephesus 1989

A few more visitors in 1989

Kusadasi

We took a cool boat trip

I found a mate to take for a row

Pamukkale mineral natural springs – 1986

Cappadocia was certainly our favourite area for its unique landscape and fairy chimneys.

The Christians use to live underground to avoid the enemy

Rugs Galore in Goreme

We loved everything about Turkey. The food, beaches, history, landscapes and the people.

Always love the kids

Traditional Turkish drink

We love to wander the back streets to get a glimpse of how the locals live

Driving through the countryside and towns of Turkey. This could almost be NZ!

This doesn’t happen at home

A small town somewhere in Turkey

Turkey was one of our favourite countries. From Istanbul, to Gallipoli, to the coast and then inland to Cappadocia. It was a wonderful country to explore.

We are going back to Turkey in 2024, our first destination in retirement! We know it will be much busier than in the 1980’s but hopefully it hasn’t lost too much of its magnetic charm.