The Mt. Kackar Wilderness Travel group arrived safely along with trip leader, Jack and assistant trip leader, Cemil. There were 12 Americans who hailed from New York, Portland, Georgia and North Carolina, and two Canadians from Vancouver. Dick, Bill, Ruth, John, McKay, Nate, Anne, Jim, Christine, Barbara, Ed, and Deborah. All ages, all occupations, experienced trekkers with the exception of Deborah who was attempting her first trek and bought only the best of everything for this experience.

A welcome dinner in the Sarnic Restaurant, also known as the “Cistern Restaurant.” The Turkish Touring and Automobile Association repaired and restored the cistern built more than 1,000 years ago into a tavern cum restaurant. During restoration, they found that the original floor level was more than 21 feet below the present floor. Not only that, but the solid monolithic piers throughout still go another 3m/9 feet below the present level. The ancient interior has been prserved exactly as it was. Excellent food in a pleasant atmosphere. How often does one get a chance to dine in an old Roman cistern?

Sarnic “Cistern” Restaurant, Istanbul
The Turkish Touring and Automobile Association has also restored a group of old houses and turned them into guesthouses. Called the Ayasofya Guest Houses, they are located by Topkapi Palace on the same street as the Cistern Restaurant. The street is closed to vehicular traffic and all the Guesthouses are atmospheric and perfectly situated. One last rebuilt mansion that belonged to an Ottoman grandee, is the Yesil Ev (“Green House”), that has rates almost on par with the Four Seasons Hotel but a completely different experience. Check out these if you don’t want to stay in a traditional Hilton-type hotel and are looking for old world charm.

Istanbul, Turkey map
Jack led the group on a typical full day city tour of Istanbul including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Harem, the Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar. We’ve been there…done it…a few times before but Istanbul is forever interesting. It is impossible to get bored walking through the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, and impossible to actually visit the 58 streets and 1,200 shops inside.

ex-Marine in Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul
My absolute favorite is Topkapi Museum with those mind-blowing emeralds. Remember the movie, Topkapi where they stole that incredible emerald-encrusted dagger? Now, that is what you call emeralds and the diamonds aren’t too shabby either.

the Emerald Dagger in Topkapi Museum, Istanbul
A relaxing afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus aboard a private boat and it was time to get on the road (or plane) to Cappadocia…