Ataturk's Villa
Trip Start
Feb 27, 2007
1
19
41
Trip End
May 19, 2007
Trabzon,
Turkey
Monday, March 26, 2007
First up was a Lonely Planet Walking Tour of TZ - and all I can say is - ud need a GPS satellite reciever to make any sense of the jibberish that passes for instructions in their walking tour. "blocks", go south west , go north west - why cant they just say take a left at such and such a street?
Anyway once I put the book firmly away and just wandered wherever my own fancy took me I was a much happier camper and passed through the bazzar - the ancient substantial hulk of the city walls - and ınto the delightful Attapark which had 4 swans gliding gracefully in a small pond.
Then I decided to trek the 4km to the villa and all I can say is - I must be getting old cos after 2km of the uphill slog I was beginning to regret my decision to give TİPO the day off or to avoid paying the few lira bus fare up to the villa.
But my toil was well rewarded with a visit to the delightful villa. I dont know much about Crimean architecture but for some reason it struck me as being a classic exponent of the type. The great man only stayed there on 3 brief occassıons - the last being where he made his will - but theyve done a much better job with the insıde than the people at Sumela. Lots of old b&w photos of AT in hıs +4s and descrıptıons of each room and ıts contents - plus the outside gardens were really nice and it was a fine day. Good stuff all round.
A much easier downhill trek - naturally before I got some chai at Atapark then walked back into town where I got a dolmus up to Boztepe park some 2km uphıll and out of town - Id had more than enuff of uphill slogs by this stage and certainly didnt begrudge the dolmus driver his 50 cents US fare. Beautiful sunset over TZ and the black sea which looked more blue than black. Then a gentle 2km stroll down before getting some grub and writing up this blog.
Ok gotta go - tımes almost up. Might have one more chai at Attaturk Alani - main square - choices choices - its a difficult life!
Maybe Rize tommorow - inshallah!
Cheers Wadirunner & TİPO.
Comments
SHK
Throw the book away Rob....make it a REAL adventure.