I first encountered Turkey as a way-station
en route to India. Early in 1968, after a few days in Istanbul,
I took off by train to Ankara and by bus to Erzurum, and then up
to and across the Iranian border. In subsequent years I visited
Turkey for its antiquities, the food, friendly people, and the
varied and spectacular scenery.
In the 10 years from 1992 to 2001 I was in Turkey four times,
twice on tour in western Turkey and once on tour in eastern
Turkey. In 2000, I rented a car in Antalya, stopping at many of
the remote ancient Carian and Lycian city ruins, on the way to
Marmaris.
Sightseeing in Istanbul typically filled the first few days of
each of these visits. In addition, in 2005, I settled in to a
boutique hotel overlooking an ancient hamam for a full week of
wandering and photography.
