Vanity, conspiracy and blood, melted in the warm sunshine. The station hall has been transformed into a variety of functions. There is a museum that displays the era of the Orient Express; there is an entertainment club with whirling dance performances twice a week, and there is a Turkish tea room like this. The so-called waiting hall has only this one person, waiting for the train.
Or are they tourists like Yun Luo who come here specifically to experience the legendary stories? The Orient Express was a special train that ran across Europe more than a hundred years ago. It was famous for its luxury and comfort in the 1930s, and was visited by royal families, nobles, businessmen, scholars, diplomats, and celebrities from various countries.
The Orient Express has changed its route several times, but its main direction is generally the same, from Paris (sometimes crossing the sea to London) via Munich, Vienna, Bucharest, Belgrade, Varna in Bulgaria, etc., to the mysterious Istanbul. The Orient Express was originally meant to be an international train to the East.
After the interpretation and dissemination of literary works, it is now used to refer to passionate exotic tours or luxury tours. At present, the station is only responsible for passenger services from Istanbul to Europe. Not far from Sirkeci Railway Station is the Galata Bridge. There are always many people fishing on the bridge regardless of time or season.
This is the small teapot they prepared. When Yunluo was curious about this object, the enthusiastic locals actually invited Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi to have a drink. Along the way, I can't remember how many simple and enthusiastic people I met. They made Yunluo's trip to Turkey full of beauty.
The selfie mode used worldwide. Take another look at Eminonu Pier and Galata Tower. God is so kind that he gave Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi an extra hour and a clear sky. The rain in the forecast never appeared. The Golden Horn Bay and Galata Tower are under this clear sky.
In the last moments before Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi left, Yunluo showed the most beautiful appearance she had ever seen. I don't know whether to say that God pities Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi, or that God loves Istanbul Turkey. It is a European enjoyment. Prices are similar to those in Asia. Accommodation is cheap.
Yunluo and Nalanshiqi found all the accommodations on booking.com. Except for the first stop, Pamukkale, which was booked before departure, the rest were confirmed the night before according to the itinerary. This is also one of the tips for saving money. Booking non-cancellable accommodations is cheaper. There is no way, we are poor. We should save as much as possible.
During this trip to Turkey, Yunluo and Nalanshiqi tried homestays, which not only have amorous feelings, but also make it easier to get close to and understand the locals. It is very good. 1. Pamukkale Melrose Viewpoint Hotel, booked on booking, 54 US dollars per night. A newly built family hotel, the accommodation is very clean and decorated in Mediterranean style.
The terrace of the restaurant has a good view. The owner is very friendly and will take you to the scenic spot and the bus station for free. The downside is that the dinner is greasy. A little expensive. The overall evaluation is good. Recommend 2. Selcuk urkmezhotel. 50 US dollars/night. In the center of the town, close to the bus station.
The train station and various attractions are not far away. In front of the door is the ancient Roman stone column from a thousand years ago. There are many small restaurants and small supermarkets around, which are convenient for eating and shopping. The boss is very enthusiastic, the boss's son is very handsome, and the thoughtful service and chat are quite heartwarming. But the conditions are too simple. The overall evaluation is average. 3. Alacati Sultankonak Family Hotel
$69/night. A very good family hotel, opened by a retired Swiss Airline employee. The furnishings in the house are also very exquisite. In the lobby, you can chat, drink tea and look at antiques around the fireplace. Breakfast is specially prepared. The table covered with lace tablecloth is full of food. Through the French windows, there are hammocks, beauty beds and rocking chairs in the courtyard.
There is also a huge cushion that seems to be placed carelessly. Everything is satisfactory, except for the dog. You know, Yunluo is very afraid of dogs. Also, this is more suitable for self-driving people, after all, the hotel is a bit far from the town. The overall evaluation is very good, highly recommended 4. Saffron: mehveshanimkonagi.
This is the inn that Yunluo longed for most before the trip, and it is also the most expensive one in the entire trip to Turkey. It is more expensive than the hotel in Istanbul. 89 US dollars per night. The quaint house, quaint decoration, and quaint lifestyle. You have to take off your shoes when you enter the door, and the whole building is covered with carpets (they are Turkish carpets).
After checking in, I went directly to the room without a key. There was only a symbolic lock on the door, which could be opened from inside and outside. When I went out, I just symbolically closed the door to show that someone was staying there. The breakfast was made by the boss lady herself. It was very rich. The overall evaluation is very good and highly recommended. 5. Istanbul: diamondroyalhotel.
158 USD/2 nights. The room is very small, and there is no room for anything else after opening the suitcase. It should be newly renovated and clean. The bathroom appliances are relatively new. It is located behind the old train station, very close to the light rail station, and not far from the old palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, the pier, and Galata Bridge.
Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi booked a twin room, but were given a king-size bed room, and were given a bottle of red wine and a large fruit plate as an apology. The staff was enthusiastic but not professional enough. Given that the surrounding area is all 100 USD/night, the price/performance ratio is high. Overall good evaluation, recommended.
Regarding transportation, flights are used to travel between Istanbul and Izmir, trains are used to travel from Izmir to Denizli, and intercity buses are used to travel to other places. Minibuses are used to travel to scenic spots. In Istanbul, trams are mainly used. Bus transportation in Turkey is very developed, with many routes and short intervals.
The road and bus conditions are very good, and the management is scientific. No matter how long the distance is, the bus will stop at the rest stop every 2 hours or so, and the driver will go to smoke, drink tea, and take a rest. Istanbul's tram blue line is very useful, Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia.
Topkapi Palace, Sirkeci Railway Station, Yeni Mosque, Spice Market, Eminonu Pier, Galata Bridge, Galata Tower and New Palace are all on this line. Of course, Yunluo and Naranshiqi walked more often, because Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Selcuk and Safranbolu are not big.
Walking can fully meet the needs. Istanbul's attractions are relatively concentrated, and walking and public transportation are sufficient. Yunluo and Nalanshiqi discovered the Art Steps while walking in Istanbul. It is one of the top ten art steps in the world. Regarding food, as the third largest food country represented by lamb, and also the Kingdom of Spice, "eating" is naturally a must-do item in Turkey. The taste is ranked from high to low based on personal feelings.
Grilled fish burgers (Eminonu Pier in Istanbul), grilled fish (available at the seaside), stew with rice (Selçuk), bagels (including naan and bread), grilled meat (available everywhere), pudding, red envelope rice, lamb meatballs, grilled corn, and grilled chestnuts. In addition, I ate a beef roll with grape leaves at Saffron, which is a local specialty, but it was average.
I didn't try the baked potatoes, which must be very similar to those in Russia. The desserts are also local specialties of Turkey, not too sweet. The special ice cream is more expensive than the ordinary ones, and not as delicious as the ordinary ones. It's just fun. Pomegranate juice is very healthy and completely freshly squeezed. You have to try Turkish tea, especially the apple tea, which is a little sour and delicious. About shopping cashmere scarves.
Pure cotton knitwear, various fruit teas, olive oil skin care products, essential oil soaps, spices, soft candies, Turkish carpets, silverware, and various plates are all local specialties. Blue eyes (also known as evil eyes) are everywhere, very beautiful, but I didn't dare to buy them because I saw a little gossip. Generally speaking, the prices in Istanbul are higher than other places.
Especially handmade, the same quality items are much cheaper in Safranbolu and Alacati. But no matter where you are, Turkish carpets are not cheap. There are small bottles of pomegranate sauce. It is similar to light soy sauce, and it goes well with barbecue. It is quite unique and not expensive, 2.9 lira per bottle.
Cooking experts can buy it to change their taste. Regarding expenses, prices in Turkey are more expensive than in Southeast Asia, but cheaper than in Europe. Excluding airfare, Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi spent $700 per person in Turkey, including accommodation and transportation (excluding airfare from Istanbul to Izmir).
Expenses also depend on personal circumstances, especially accommodation. There is a big difference between luxury and frugality. Regarding pick-up, Asian faces are very rare and popular in Turkey. Turkish men have the openness of Europeans, but not the arrogance of Europeans. They never hide their love for Asian women.
Especially for women traveling alone, young and old are welcome. Knowing this may help you deal with approaching. First, don't think you are so attractive. Second, don't think the other person is so abrupt. Yunluo encountered several approaches in Turkey, just treat them as small tidbits.
The first time was at the ancient theater in Pamukkale, and we had been in Turkey for only 10 hours. We first took a group photo, and then said a lot of things in English or Turkish that Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi couldn't understand. He followed Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi not too far away, and invited Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi to watch this and that.
This caused Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi to show no interest from time to time, and they just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. The second time at the Kusadasi beach, the man praised Yunluo for how beautiful she was, and said that Yunluo looked like Lady Gaga, and that he had never associated himself with fashion, and he was very pleased for a while.
After he introduced himself to Yunluo, Yunluo extended her hand politely to say "nice to meet you". Unexpectedly, the other party did not shake hands, but kissed. Western etiquette was still not acceptable to her. In the next Facebook, Yunluo said no. The third time was on Independence Avenue in Istanbul, when Yunluo was taking pictures of the street scene.
The man posed for the photo, which made Yunluo mistakenly think that it was the local people's personality of liking to take pictures and show off. After Yunluo finished taking the photos, he asked to see the photos, and Yunluo showed them to him. He first praised Yunluo's good skills, and said that the scenery was beautiful and the people were beautiful, and took photos of Yunluo as well.
He said that he had to send the photos to Yunluo and asked for Yunluo's phone number and email address. Yunluo generously showed him the local phone number display on her phone. Yunluo believed that he would never be able to figure out Yunluo's area code. Then he said that his home was nearby and wanted to invite Yunluo to have a cup of tea. Yunluo thanked him and said that he didn't have time.
He said reluctantly that it only took up a little time. After nine days of traveling in Turkey, Yunluo had some experience with this, and still politely said that there were friends waiting for him.
He expressed his respect and said he would call Yunluo. This was a somewhat technical approach to chatting up people. Natasha joked about this all the way. I also want to say that during the 9 days in Turkey, only in Saffron did I not encounter any chatting up people, which shows that the local people are simple and honest.
I always thought that happiness was far away, in the future that I could pursue. Later I found out that the people I hugged, the hands I held, the songs I sang, the tears I shed, the people I loved, the so-called past, were happiness.
I woke up at 5:00 in the morning without my alarm ringing. I got used to the time difference so quickly. The sky was gradually getting brighter. The Aegean Sea was still sleeping. The air was very fresh.
I got up and had breakfast, which was not very tasty. Yunluo was afraid, 30tl. Turkey has a long sunshine time, so the fruits are very juicy and sweet. Many locals were doing morning exercises at the beach, running along the Aegean Sea, and Yunluo was willing to do it.
Today we are going to the ancient city of Iphisou, which is said to be well preserved and a representative work of ancient Greek architecture. So let's pack our luggage and set off. Head south from Canakkale to Izmir.
There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!
Izmir is a medium-sized city built on a mountain with a population of 5 million. The housing density is quite high, but there are almost no high-rise buildings in the whole city. There are many gas stations and brands in Turkey, and the price of gas should be relatively cheap for Turks. Less than 4tl.
After lunch, we arrived at the ancient city of Iphis. This is an ancient city built more than 2,300 years ago. But its construction level is no less than today. The entire ancient city is circular, with a residential area in the center and various urban facilities around it. The opera house, above the marble avenue, is small in size and can only accommodate about 200 people.
The European marble pillars were severely damaged in the earthquake. Only a few are still standing, but they are also in danger of collapse. Don't touch them. If they fall down, not only will they crush people, but their value is inestimable. You can't afford to pay them back even if you work in Türkiye for the rest of your life.
Walking on the marble-paved main road, you can imagine the prosperity of this place in the past. The city's public hall and the Prytanion sacred fire are still well preserved. The sacred fire guarded by the goddess Vesta, the symbol of Iphis, has been burning for centuries. This is the symbol of the city. If the fire in the fireplace is not extinguished, the city will prosper. Once it is extinguished, a new site will be selected to rebuild the city.
The job of watching the stove was quite sacred in those days. It had to be the children of nobles and rich people. Women watched the fire and men delivered firewood. After working for 30 years, they could get married and have children. It can be seen how great the sacrifice was. Ifiso has all the necessary facilities. The hospital also has its own logo, which is still used by the Turks today and can be seen on ambulances.
Iphis had a large square, just like today, where people could meet and date. It is worth mentioning that there is also a statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, in the square. Soldiers would touch her breasts before going to war, so her breasts have changed from C to A. God is a belief, and the statue is an incarnation, so it is no wonder that people worship it.
The Avenue of Fame is similar to the current Hollywood Walk of Fame. To honor people who have made outstanding contributions to the city, their statues are placed on both sides of the avenue to encourage social ethos. This road is guarded by Hercules, who is half god and half man and is granted eternity.
Iphis had the earliest Turkish baths, and surprisingly, they had floor heating at that time. The earliest public toilets with toilets were also here. The two places were good places for women and men to gossip. Iphis also had brothels and arenas for people to entertain themselves.
What we saw at this time was the library, which was very well preserved, with a three-story high gate, and fine stone carvings. The color had turned a little yellow, but it did not affect its majestic temperament. The city log of that time was preserved here, helping Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi to learn more about Iphiso.
Only when you look up at the snow-white marble arch piercing the blue sky, you will understand why Iphis is the glory of ancient Greek civilization. The pavement, statues, and buildings are all made of snow-white marble, meticulously carved.
The mosaic patio and the huge amphitheater are exciting, and in the center of the city is a two-story marble library. If you don't come here in person and look up at the white marble columns piercing the blue sky from the gaps between the corridors, you will never be able to experience the pure worship of human wisdom and gratitude to our ancestors!
With reluctance in my heart, I walked on the boulevard leading to the exit, about to leave Ifisos. The streets are no longer bustling, but have more marks of time. Many stones are placed in a mess, and their original positions cannot be found. However, thousands of years later, civilization will not disappear and will remain immortal.
In the evening, we arrived at Grandbelish in Kusadasi and checked in. Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi were greatly surprised that such a remote little village had such a nice sea view hotel.
The beautiful Aegean Sea sunset is quiet and intoxicating. Stepping on the soft beach, letting the sand flow between your toes, it makes you feel itchy. The sea surface is illuminated in gold, and you feel like you are surrounded by gold. Would you like to grow old here with Yunluo?
I got up early in the morning, intending to watch the sunrise, but I forgot that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so there is naturally no sunrise over the sea. The sky of the Aegean Sea was reflected by the morning sun, bright red, shy and lovely, and white chairs stood in rows on the beach. Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi went to visit the villa area behind, and met the big yellow dog that played with them on the beach the day before. It actually recognized Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi and ran over to follow them all the way.
After finishing the trip to Turkey, Nalan Shiqi left alone. Yun Luofei returned to Xihu City, Jiangnan Province, and went directly to Qiantang County with An Qingjue.
With many relatives and friends as witnesses, Yunluo and An Chuyu got their marriage certificate, and the next day they held their wedding and became husband and wife. Yunluo took An Chuyu with him, and in the slightly resentful eyes of his girlfriends, he went abroad for his honeymoon. This trip for just two people will be the most beautiful memory of this life. (To be continued...)