Aegean Traditions Tour

APPLE TEA, SQUAT TOILETS, RUINS AND ICONS
For three weeks in September and October a group of 22 intrepid travellers went on a tour through Turkey and Greece.  Colin Robinson from Canterbury Tours was Tour Manager and our own Rev Carol Hebron was Tour Host. 
Part One - Turkey
Areas visited included Instanbul - the famous Blue Mosque and Santa Sophia (Haya Sofia in Turkish) which used to be a Byzantine basilica;  Topkapi Palace and the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar - shoppers heaven and the serious shoppers in the group made good use of their time there - pashminas galore, apple tea, hats, bags and a great variety of knick knacks.  On our first Sunday in Istanbul we went to a service at Christ Church (Crimean Memorial Church) - after getting lost, we made it just in time - right on 10am as the service was starting.
From Istanbul the group travelled to Gallipoli - a place of some importance for Australians, as well as Kiwis.  Standing in what is now a peaceful place was quite profound - the gravel beach which is so narrow leads up to the steep ridge above. No wonder so many died on the beach.  We had a special memorial service under a large tree in one of the cemeteries at ANZAC Cove - truly moving experience. Afterwards we walked through the gravesites and placed poppies on individual headstones - wherever the Spirit led us.
From there the tour took us to Troy - from one battle site to another;  to Pergamon; to Asklepion - once a healing centre; to Ephesus - an amazing place, with so much still preserved from more than 2000 years ago; the group stood in the large amphitheatre when Saint Paul stood and addressed the pagans in Ephesus.  We visited the Basilica of St John the Evangelist also near Ephesus;  staying in Izmir - a modern city on the coast; where we went to ruins of the Velvet Castle - built by Alexander the Great.  Eventually we moved on to Bursa, originally a stop on the Silk Road - visited the Silk House - more shopping of course. 
Below are some photos from this part of the adventure.
 The Blue Mosque    Santa Sophia   Rev Carol & Rev Ian Sherwood, Christ Church Crimean Memorial Church

 The group at Gallipoli - Anzac Cove     Spice Market, Istanbul   Pergamon - amphitheatre