Day 57 – 21st June. Kannakale->Troy->Istanbul

Day 57 – 21st June. Kannakale->Troy->Istanbul

Woke at 7am after a wonderful sleep on blissfully soft beds. Had breakfast at the hotel (worst food we have encountered on our trip – hot food stone cold and milk curdled!@#!) then we met at ANZAC house which is where the tour company work from in Kannakale.

We drove down to Troy with its famous horse which the Turks even admit is corny! There is a much more realistic one in Kannakale- the one used in Brad Pitts ‘Troy’ that the studio’s gave to the town, unfortunately Brad wasn’t there today!(Have included a pic of this better horse)
Next we were taken by a very good guide around the ruins of the city of Troy. This is a massive place as only 10% have been excavated, money being an issue and there are many civilizations that built and re-built over each other over the years – 9 cities one on top of the other in fact.

I have included a photo of a stone road that is from the 25th century BC – this was BEFORE the wheel was invented!! Puts a new perspective on old.
It was super hot again today – around 40C again, I wouldn’t advise anyone who doesn’t like very hot weather to visit any later than June as it really wipes people out and our tans are coming along nicely as you cant help being out in it when you are touring!

After the tour we were taken back to Kannakale- the roads are funny, full of potholes with crooked painted road lines! Then we were given a whole 6 hours to look around in this small town until they returned to Istanbul. This was way too long and in the heat, people didn’t want to stay out on the street all day. Walking down the road the heat felt like the blast you get when you first open a hot oven door!

We went down to the harbour and had an ice cold beer and some burgers- was very enjoyable cooling down and people watching,I have included a photo of a Turkish Man and his granddaughter who were also in the restaurant- they adored each other!
Then walked around for a bit but then decided to go back to anzac house as they have a common room of sorts at the back that has fantastic air cond. It has lots of chairs and anyone can just sit or lay down in there which was great as we had 4 hours to kill. They played the Mel Gibson movie on Gallipoli – was very sad but probably also very realistic.

Finally got the ferry at 6.30pm then onto the bus back to Istanbul. Arrived back pretty late at half past midnight and re checked-in to the hotel after a night away.