Day Four: A Visit To Troy

We loaded the bus after breakfast and began our drive to the ancient site of Troy and then Ayvalik where we would spend the night.  The city of Istanbul is very spread out and we drove for over an hour before we left the city.  On our drive we saw many people waiting on the side of the road (but not at a bus stop) for commuter vans and other vehicles that are provided by various companies to take employees to work.  We drove along the Sea of Marmara and saw many homes that the people of the city use during the hot summer months.  Most of the homes were narrow and at least 3 stories high.  We saw fields of canola and other crops. We also passed near Gallipoli, a famous World War I battlefield.

On the way to the ferry

Highway in Turkey

We arrived at the ferry crossing at Eceabat just before noon.  We had time to have some lunch, Turkish coffee and check out the souvenir shops before we walked onto the ferry which would take us across the Dardanelles to Canakkale.

A restaurant where some of us ate lunch

The menu

Turkish coffee

The bus was on the lower level of the ferry and we sat up on top and enjoyed the 25 minute crossing.

A vendor on the ferry

A windy but pleasant trip

Visiting with friends

Our next stop was Troy.  We had a short walk to where the washrooms, gift shop and the famous Trojan Horse were located.  After numerous photos were taken, Suleyman led us on a guided tour of the ancient site of Troy.  According to Homer's famous poem, the Iliad, this is the site of the legendary Trojan War.  We followed the path through the ancient ruins where Suleyman pointed out areas that have been excavated by archaeologists.  There are nine different layers showing that the city was rebuilt numerous times on the same site.

The Trojan Horse

"Group Photo"

Suleyman, our guide

An ancient wall at Troy

Examining the ruins

Listening and learning

Excavation shows different cities of Troy

After our visit we had time to shop for some souvenirs and then we jumped back on the bus and drove to Ayvalik where we stayed at the Kalif Hotel.  Some of our group walked down to the beach while others relaxed before dinner.

Dining Room at Kalif Hotel

A view from our hotel