Hello!
Hard to believe, but not many pictures today! After our long drive yesterday, we were really a bit lazy this morning. After all, we really did NOT want to leave our wonderful suite at the Hilton. Up around 7, to a very overcast sky over the sea – saw some wonderful lightning, and got some rain. Went downstairs to the Hilton’s posh breakfast – real orange juice! Yea!! I had two glasses! Finally bid adieu to the hotel around 10.
No problem getting out of town, and we found our way to the tollway/expressway to Sanliurfa. Not really very expensive in the way of tolls – maybe 15 or 20 Turkish Lira ($11). There wasn’t much traffic at any point on the tollway; I don’t think many Turks choose this means of getting around, as the regular roads are just as nice, albeit they do have traffic circles and lights. (One very interesting thing we’ve seen in some places is the fact that a lot of the red lights come with actual timers! You’ll stop for red and 49 will appear, and immediately start counting down to 0. However, once 2 is hit, the yellow light flashes on with the red, and that’s when everyone takes off; you get honked at if you actually wait for 0 and green. One further interesting thing about Turkish driving is that if someone doesn’t want to wait for a red light – or has waited “long enough” they’ll just take off, if the intersection is clear! I cannot tell you how many red lights I have blown in this way… ; ) !!
So…we’re fed and diesel-ed up and on the tollway. A REAL problem with the car is that the windshield wipers REALLY need replacing! R is thinking of contacting the Budget places here in Sanliurfa, as we do not want to go through another rain storm with the wipers that we have! So, rain most of the way here, and suddenly, in about 4½ hours, voila, Sanliurfa! We are about 30 miles from the Syrian border (at one point along the way, our road was only 12 miles from the border), and while there were mountains heading down to the sea for most of the way here, about 10 mile west of Sanliurfa, the landscape totally changed. It is still hilly, but not mountainous, and it’s VERY arid – mostly low scrub; not many trees – to be honest, both R and I thought that ALL of Turkey would look like this – but apparently only in the East! Quite a change, for sure.
We made our way fairly easily to the brand-new Hilton Garden Inn – and WOW is about all I can say!
The hotel itself is stunning architecturally, and our room is AMAZING! We’re on the top floor (3rd = 4th floor, counting in the U.S. style) and have a corner “family” room – “for families who might need a little more room”…we could have a 30 person cocktail party here and not be crowded! AND, the VERY best news of all!! THEY HAVE A WASHER AND DRYER FOR GUESTS TO USE! [Note from Robert: Margaret is SO happy!!!] As R was down to his final change of clean undies and socks tomorrow, this was going to be the first thing on my agenda – finding a place in town to do it for us – but no need! Bought detergent from the Pantry store in the lobby, and now we both have ALL clean clothes! Thank you, Hilton Garden Inn – You’re the best!
There is also a stunning indoor pool, jacuzzi and kids pool -- with no people in any of them...
As it’s still raining, we’re staying close to the hotel for the moment, although it’s supposed to clear tonight, so hopefully we can get out to reconnoiter! Tomorrow we’re heading to Gobekli Tepe – lots of maps and instructions; let’s just hope we can find it!
More later from your Turkish correspondent who now has ALL clean CLOTHES!!
Much love,
m
xxx
I would have never thought Turkey would be so interesting....
ReplyDeleteSandy