Turkey - Konya

Alternate display options:.[Show thumbnails].

Journal entry: 20 Sep Thursday  Kusadasi à Konya à Cappadocia (Mustafapasha)   Early start (8:30), leaving at the same time as all the tour buses.  They’d been at the hotel only about 12 hours.  Long day ahead.  Passed large, dry salt lake, to right, jumbled volcanic hills to left., then break out to broad steppes, isolated villages providing the only trees in sight for miles.  As we come over the top of a small ridge, we’re suddenly confronted by the city of Konya (600K), spreading to the horizons.   Arrive about 2 pm.  Visiting the Shrine of Mevlana of Whirling Dervish fame.  Beautifully set amid calligraphic inscriptions and wall paintings, Mevlana and his son lie under large catafalques.  Other members of his family are buried nearby.  Displays include hairs from the beard of Mohammed and beautiful Kurans from a wide period of time.

Lunch at a nearby restaurant.  Local speciality – tandur kabob.  Lamb boiled, then baked.  Similar to Moroccan meschoie, and just as delicious. Then back on the road for the final leg to Cappadocia.