A Narrative Travel Summary
In the spring of 2025, a group of families—friends whose lives had intertwined over years of shared meals, holidays, and laughter—set off together for an adventure across Turkey. The Hongs, Chens, Lins, Hsias, and Chungs gathered their bags, boarded a plane from Europe, and flew toward the intricate mosaic of history, culture, and landscapes waiting on the other side of the Sea of Marmara.
Istanbul: Where Continents Meet
Their journey began in Istanbul, the city that bridges Europe and Asia. The skyline of domes and minarets welcomed them with the call to prayer drifting over the Bosphorus. They wandered through ancient bazaars, palaces, and the echoes of empires, sharing their awe with one another as they settled into the rhythm of traveling as a group.
Legends of Troy and the Dardanelles
Heading west, they stopped in Çanakkale to see the storied land of Troy. The Trojan horse stood as a reminder of myth blending with reality, a tale everyone knew but had never pictured so vividly. The wind carried sea salt from the Dardanelles as they stood where history and legend meet.
Ephesus and Kuşadası: Walking through Ruins
Southward along the coast, they arrived at Ephesus, one of the most remarkably preserved ancient cities in the world. Marble streets, towering columns, and the grand facade of the Library of Celsus invited the group to imagine life two millennia ago. In nearby Kuşadası, they rested by the Aegean Sea, letting the slow pace of coastal life wash over them.
Pamukkale: Pools of Cloud and Stone
Next came Pamukkale, where mineral-rich terraces glowed white like frozen waterfalls. The group wandered barefoot through warm pools suspended on the mountainside, a surreal landscape that felt carved out of a dream.
Konya: Heart of the Whirling Dervishes
From there, they traveled inland to Konya, a city of poets, saints, and swirling devotion. They watched the whirling dervishes turn in their meditative dance—robes billowing like white blossoms—an encounter both quiet and unforgettable.
Cappadocia: Land of Balloons and Stone
Their adventure continued east to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, where the land rose in shapes both whimsical and ancient. Hot-air balloons floated over the valleys like lanterns in the morning sky. The group explored cave homes, pottery workshops, and winding trails that made them feel like time travelers.
Ankara: The Modern Heart of Turkey
The final stretch brought them to Ankara, Turkey’s capital. The city blended modern life with deep historical roots, offering a fitting balance to the ancient ruins and natural wonders they had seen.
Shared Memories to Carry Forward
Throughout the journey, the group collected not only souvenirs—evil eye charms for protection, olive-oil soaps, postcards, pottery—but also shared experiences: long bus rides filled with conversation, meals shared under warm lights, unexpected discoveries, and the comforting rhythm of traveling together.
When the trip ended on April 15, everyone returned home with a map of Turkey etched into their memories—its seas, cities, ruins, and rhythms—made richer by the company they kept along the way.
