Turkey & Taipei

Mar 29 - Apr 9, 2012
AC414 YYZ-YUL, LX87 YUL-ZRH, TK1908 ZRH-IST, Apr 2 TK2310 IST-ADB, Apr 4 TK2329 ADB-IST, Apr 5 OZ552 IST-ICN, OZ711 ICN-TPE, Apr 8 TG637 TPE-BKK, TG924 BKK-MUC, Apr 9 LH2366 MUC-ZRH, LX86 ZRH-YUL, AC831 YUL-YYZ

As the saying goes, it’s not the destination, but the journey.  Aeroplan traditionally had a very valuable way to use your points by going to Asia with a stopover in Europe along the way.  This was of particularly good value when flying First Class -- before Aeroplan decided that it was too good and increased the number of required points by 50%.  Luckily they gave some advanced notice so I emptied out my account and, in July 2011, booked two trips for this year.  For the first trip I decided to go to two places that I haven’t been to before in Europe and Asia.  Turkey is an amazing country with an interesting culture, lots of beautiful scenery, and amazing ancient ruins.  Because of some unfortunate schedule changes, our time in Taipei was cut pretty short, but we did get a good sense of the city and will definitely plan to go back and spend more time.  Part of the fun of the trip was enjoying the pampering of the first class service and lounges around the world, including a massage in the Bangkok Spa.  Going through Munich and Zurich on Easter earned us some chocolate and I grabbed a Munich Lufthansa Rubber Ducky to add to my Frankfurt First Class Terminal collection. 

Mar 29-30
Full evening, overnight and day of travel and relaxing evening in hotel

Mar 31
Our first full day in Istanbul and weather was beautiful

Courtyard of the Concubines in the Topkapi Palace

More of the palace grounds

Hagia Irene in the palace grounds

Bright noon sun over the 17th Century Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)

After lunch we check out the sixth century Underground Cistern

Looking across the Hippodrome to the Blue Mosque

Entrance to the 16th Century Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent

Mosque Interior

Busy Bosphorus Shore with Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent in background

Apr 1
After a relaxing evening in the hotel, time for another full day in Istanbul

Historic trolley through Istiklai Street at the start of our New District walking tour

Checking out some of the tasty Turkish Delight window display

One of the more interesting (400BC) Sarcophagi in the Museum of Archaeology

The Kadesh Treaty, the oldest surviving peace accord from 1283 BC

Looking up at Uskudar on the Asian Side from a fairly wet Bosphorus Cruise at day’s end

Apr 2
Early morning flight to Izmir and drive to Pamukkale

Tetra pylon monumental arch (2nd century) at the quiet Aphrodisias site

Ruins of the incredible 30,000 seat Aphrodisias Stadium used for gladiatorial combats

The Odeion (smaller theatre) was enjoyable as we had the place mostly to ourselves

Temple of Aphrodite (1st century)

The amazingly restored theatre, again all to ourselves

The partially restored Sebasteion (originally three stories for the full length)

Now at the far-more touristed Hierapolis, the Byzantine Church

More of the extensive ruins as the day progresses

2nd Century Hellenistic Theatre, the most impressive building in Hierapolis

Below the impressive ruins is the natural beauty of Pamukkale’s travertine pools

A different perspective on the impacts of the carbonate minerals from the hot springs

Although we don’t have photos I went for a walk through the warm pools

Apr 3
After dinner, the night, and breakfast at a guest house, morning drive to Ephesus

Odeum in the much busier Ephesus originally used as a Bouleuterion for the senate

Mosaic sidewalk parallels the main street, Curetes Way

A good overview of the ruins along Curetes Way

Interior of Restored Terraced Houses

2nd Century Celsus Library restored facade

The 25,000 great theatre (original 3rd century)

Kusadasi Fortress at the end of a long day of touring

Looking back on our hotel and Kusadasi before settling in for a great seafood dinner

Apr 4
Explored the coast and Priene ruins before evening flight back to Istanbul

We started the day with a drive and hike through Dilek National Park

Temple of Athena in the partially restored, but very cool Priene formerly the Greek City of Ionia

The theatre was one of the most recognizably restored structures

A big part of the beauty was the surrounding scenery

After an afternoon flight back to Istanbul, Hagia Sophia at night

Apr 5
Last day in Istanbul before our overnight flight to Taipei

Incredible dome of the 6th century Hagia Sophia, built as a  Catholic church

Captured by the Ottomans, it was converted to a mosque (1453-1934)

After being converted to a museum, Christian symbols were restored

A sense of the large scale; tall enough inside to house the Statue of Liberty

We finally found the time to climb the Galata Tower

Looking across the river to the old city

The “New Mosque” -- from 1665, “New” being relative

Apr 6
After overnight flight, afternoon and evening in Taipei

With lucky timing, we caught the changing of the guards at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China

Taipei 101 tower, the second tallest building in the world

Apr 7
One very busy full day in Taipei

Exterior of the National Palace Museum that houses many of ancient China’s antiquities

Guandu Temple cut into the mountain side

Fountain and bridge near Confucius Temple

Confucius Temple built at this site in 1928

Peace Park Pavilion in the city centre

Presidential Office Building houses office of president of Republic of China

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall; Chiang and the KMT fled to Taiwan after the 1949 revolution

The National Theatre and Concert Hall from the steps of the memorial hall

Taipei 101 before we make our way to the top

View of the sprawling city from the tower

World’s largest damper suspended from floors 92-87, stabilizing the building

Apr 8-9
Very long flight home, with overnight in Munich and lots of first class lounge time