Greek and Roman heritage in Turkey ( I )

This summer I had the opportunity again to visit Turkey. Last year I was disappointed with the limited time, just visit the city of Antalya and Kemer. So to heal the disappointment, this time I spent three weeks in Turkey for a visit to the cities, especially in coastal areas across the Aegean Sea and the Bosphorus strait to the Black Sea.

My journey began from the city of Izmir. I have to meet an old friend who will be a travel partner for three weeks of my visit in Turkey. We plan to conduct a trail of Greek and Roman culture by visiting the archaeological sites around the Aegean Sea.

Izmir

Izmir who once called Smyrna, was discovered in the 11th century BC by the nation Aeolians and experience the glory in 300 BC after it was discovered again by Alexander the Great when it defeated the Persians. Currently? Zmir, located in Izmir bay and surrounded by hills, is the largest port city after Istanbul, is divided into 9 districts. Konak district of Izmir city is the heart and has some important and beautiful places to visit.

I spent the first three days to get around Izmir. Means of transportation in the city that is common and easy to use buses, but it can also use ferries to visit several districts. Before traveling by bus, I bought a magnetic card that will be swiped at the time of ride the bus. There was no difference in rates for long distance or near and its passengers can only go up and down at the bus stop. There are two types of buses that can be used to route within the city. Major bus route long-distance service. As for short distances digunakkan bus with a smaller size (dolmus).

The most important element of the city of Izmir is currently Kulesi (clock tower) located in the district of Konak. This tower stands 25 meters tall with a beautiful, designed by a French architect Raymond Charles in 1901. On summer afternoons, the area around When Kulesi always crowded with visitors and a gathering place for residents Izmir. Pigeons flying freely in the tower. Some local residents take advantage of this by selling bird food. Small children running around the tower while to feed the birds.

From Currently Kulesi, I walked along the shops and office buildings. My next goal is Kemeralti bazaar, the traditional market was built in the Ottoman dynasty. After about fifteen minutes walk, I arrived at Kemeralti bazaar. This market is similar to the traditional markets that can we meet in Indonesia, it's just old-fashioned market is still showing his identity and not get stuck in the middle of the hustle and bustle of city modernization. I walked the halls of the old market that seemed endless, was amazed because they really keep the legacy of history. Vendors selling various souvenirs of Turkey, antiques, clothes and daily necessities.

In addition to shopping for souvenirs, I do not miss to stop by the best coffee shop in Izmir Turkey. Kahveci Ömer Usta coffee shop is hidden in one of the market hall. It was said the coffee here is the best. Understandably the process of making Turkish coffee is a bit different. This coffee is cooked in a special small pan and with a certain technique to produce foam and viscosity of its own. Turkish coffee is served in small cups. And I must admit it was indeed a champion.

There are suggestions from people Izmir for the tourists who got lost while walking in the city, they said the best way to determine the direction of return is to find the sea. These suggestions are very useful because it actually to find the sea, you can find all means of transportation in different directions.

The next day the sun is almost drowned when I was walking along Deniz (sea). Izmir city government has built a wide sidewalks for pedestrians along the side of the sea. Palm tree planted in a row to calm the pedestrian at the time the sun shines hot. Then walk away while enjoying the sea breeze becomes very enjoyable.

I started walking from Konak Pier down to the quay Pasaport Kordon. In 1890 Gustave Eiffel designed the Konak Pier until the touch of European architecture seemed to dominate the building of this pier. Along the banks of the sea lined cafe and tea shop as well. Serene sounds of traditional music drifted from each of the cafe which I passed.

After tired of walking, I stopped by one of the tea shop is located right on the seafront. Tea drinking habits to those of Turkey has become a culture that has never lost to the flow of modernization. The young people seen hanging out with casually while enjoying a dish of warm tea. They drank green tea or apple tea that has been boiled in two stacked teapot, a tea kettle to boil and the other one to boil water. How to serve it is to mix the results of both pot into small cups. This way they can control the viscosity of tea for each cup. I was also spending the evening with a sip of hot tea while watching the ships anchored in the distance and seen the sun began to sink.

Three days have I spent in Izmir. I plan along with a friend of the original people of Turkey will begin petulangan our trail.

Many people do not realize that Turkey, especially in coastal areas experiencing the Aegean Sea Greek and Roman civilizations. At the beginning of civilization 3000 BC by the Greeks into the Aegean islands around the Aegean Sea. The geographical distance between Turkey and Greece is only separated by the Aegean Sea, making it easier for the occurrence of this civilization.

We will visit the Acropolis of Pergamon in the town of Bergama, Ephesus Archaeological Sites in Selcuk, Temple of Apollo in Didim and our adventure will end in Istanbul.

source : liburan.info

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