My friend Vi and I were members of a 13-person tour organized by Eldertreks, a Canadian company based in Toronto. Our trek was billed as “easy.” I questioned this category as I soothed aching muscles at the end of a long day of hiking up mountain trails, ducking in and out of caves, climbing countless stairs, and standing on the hard marble floors of museums. My colleagues labeled the trip “easy.” Looking back, though sometimes on steep hills I lagged behind, every step was well worth it.
Eldertreks prides itself on leading small groups to remote sites and putting them up in out-of-the-way overnight venues. We stayed in a number of small pensions in tiny villages, on the horse ranch in the Taurus mountains, in a 13th century Ottoman house in Safronbolu, and on a boat worthy of a Greek ship owner.
Our small hotel, the Arcadia in old Istanbul, was perfectly situated. We could walk just a block to the Hippodrome, the Museum of Islamic and Turkish Art, the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sophia mosque, now a museum, just a few blocks away. At night, gazing out my hotel window or dining in the restaurant, I loved to view these historic buildings lit up brilliantly in the evening sky.
Our group was a perfect example of the best companions you could select for a trip that emphasized cultural interests and trekking to offbeat places. We merged quickly into a friendly family. We dined together three times a day, walked through ruins and helped each other spot birds, identify types of flora and fauna as we labored up mountains and through rocky gorges. Gradually, we learned each other’s life stories, an advantage of small group traveling.
We had two absolutely first-rate guides, the best I’ve ever encountered. Ken Witherspoon, a Canadian, has forsaken a successful corporate career to do what he wants, “travel with interesting people to interesting places.” He was terrific—“a hunk,” intelligent, with a terrific sense of humor who always kept us up-to-date on plans and furnished snacks, water, factoids, jokes and a helping hand when needed. Gulin Pazaroglu, our Turkish guide, was thoroughly knowledgeable of history, culture, people and politics of her country. She always had a wonderful sense of humor and happy smile for everyone. The expertise in our group was impressive too. We had Ph.D’s, engineers, a geophysicist, world-class bird watcher/social worker, teacher, financial planner, corporate executive, and more. By the end of the trip we had become a true family of friends.
Finally, I have to admit that by journey’s end, not only did I carry home a beautiful Turkish rug and several pashima shawls in my suitcase—but also a bag full of Turkish candy—and many wonderful memories!
“Turkish Delight” now has a rich new meaning for me.