Day 1: The Great Carpool Caper
We gathered at Mala and Kumar’s house bright and early—well, some of us were bright, while others were just early. Breakfast was a lavish spread of pre-packaged delights (thanks, Mala!). Fueled by coffee and tea, we piled into the car, ready for an adventure.
But wait! Sundar’s man-purse—prized possession and portable vault—had decided to go on a mini-vacation of its own. After an alarming detour back to a gas station, he triumphantly returned with his passport in hand just in time for our 13-hour flight to the 13-day Tour of Turkish Treasures.
Day 2: Jet-Lagged Shenanigans in Istanbul
After surviving the flight (which mostly involved awkwardly jostling for armrest dominance), we landed in Istanbul feeling like zombies in search of brains. Jet-lagged and cranky, we wandered aimlessly, looking every bit like lost tourists who had never heard of Google Maps. The quest for the bus stop felt like a team-building exercise gone horribly wrong.
We wrapped up the day with our team coordinator, Ender. Now, I’d like to note that at this stage of the trip, I was personally hoping for a ‘Beginner’ instead of an ‘Ender’. He equipped us with lanyards and “whispers” for our adventures ahead. This was not just a trip; we were entering a spy operation.
At the Legacy Millennium Hotel, the glorious rain showerhead became our savior, washing away our travel fatigue and possibly a few lingering sins. We emerged from the showers like reborn travelers, ready to tackle whatever Turkey had in store for us.
Day 3: Cultural Immersion or Comedy Routine?
Our first full day in Istanbul was all about exploration. We visited the Hagia Sophia Grand
Mosque, followed by the Blue Mosque—both stunning places that left us feeling inspired and spiritually uplifted. As a non-HiPPO, I was not about to let wild horses drag me back to the Hippodrome, which, if I’m being honest, looked like a giant parking lot for history buffs.
The Spice Market was next on our agenda, where we tasted Turkish coffee, which left a bad taste and some dregs in the mouth. Once we were set loose for free time, the group split into factions. Some ventured towards Galata Tower, while the rest of us embarked on what we thought would be a straightforward metro ride back to the hotel. Enter the ticket-vending machine—our sworn enemy. After a heated debate with the machine (Sridhar arguing passionately, as if the machine understood him), we finally managed to buy our tickets.
But the real showstopper was Sridhar’s attempt to cross the turnstile. With one foot awkwardly caught between the metal bars, he looked like he was trying to perform a bizarre interpretive dance rather than catch a train. The sight of a grown man battling public transport was priceless. We stood there laughing, half of us taking videos, while Sridhar valiantly fought to free himself.
Day 4: A Horse of a Different Color
Day 4 began with the promise of adventure as we set our sights on the ancient site of Troy, a place steeped in myths, legends, and the occasional existential crisis about whether we really should have taken that second baklava yesterday. As we arrived, we were greeted by the massive, iconic Trojan Horse. You know, the one that made a huge splash in history and, apparently, in Instagram feeds.
Naturally, we couldn’t resist the urge to pose in front of the big black horse like it was a celebrity sighting. Everyone took turns snapping selfies, striking ridiculous poses, and dramatically reenacting scenes from Troy. One even tried to channel his inner Homer while wearing a fanny pack..
We hopped back on the bus, our hearts full of ancient lore and our phones full of questionable angles. Next stop: the magnificent Cannakalle Kolin Hotel,
Once settled, Sridhar, Raj, and Sundar decided it was time for a swim. Equipped with shower caps that looked like they’d seen better days and grocery bags in place of proper bathing caps (because why not?). They made a splash—literally and figuratively.
Meanwhile, a few of us embarked on a wild goose chase for flattering swimsuits. After an exhausting search, we emerged with swimsuits that were about as flattering as a potato sack and that could only be described as “abstract art meets circus tent.” We finally headed back to our rooms to dream of more mythical sites and poorly fitting swimsuits.
Day 5: Adventures in Izmir (And One Man vs. Reception)
The morning started with a trip to a local village, where we split into groups of three families and were warmly welcomed into the villagers’ homes. “Warmly” might be an understatement, especially once we found ourselves seated in the middle of a domestic skirmish. It was like dinner theater, but without the stage curtains—just a lot of raised
eyebrows and delicious food as background ambiance.
Off we went to a sun-scorched stop at Pergamum, where ancient ruins stretched before us. Another excavation, another moment of pondering how long we could keep pretending to be history buffs before the heat melted our enthusiasm into the dust, and we became fossils ourselves. After a whirlwind tour of rocks and relics, we made our way to Izmir, checking into the Swiss Hotel Movenpick—fancy name, endless hotel hiccups (more on that in a bit).
While some of us needed a post-ruins nap, four daring women (and, well, one brave guy) set out on a noble quest to the Kemerati Market. Or so we thought. Armed with Google Maps and an unshakable sense of direction (read: none), we embarked on a journey that turned into a grand “Where’s the Market?” tour. After circling the same streets, alleyways, and possibly walking past the market three times, we found it! Our triumph was short-lived, though, because we had spent so much time looking for the market that we didn’t have any time left to
actually shop there. Fortunately, we found one of our dudes’ faces on Google Maps (thank you, Location Sharing) and followed directions back, just in time for dinner, proud and empty-handed.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Sridhar was living his own soap opera. It all started with a missing piece of luggage. Several calls to reception later—still no bag. Then, in what can only be described as an Olympic-level fumble, he went to close the curtains, and the entire curtain rod came off in his hand like an accidental magic trick. This was not a “fix it yourself” situation, so he called Reception again, this time for curtain assistance.
Thinking his woes couldn’t get worse, Sridhar tried to turn on the TV, which naturally decided it wasn’t working either. Another call to Reception ensued, only for the grand finale to take place mid-conversation: the phone wire came off in his hand. Whether Reception pulled the plug after the endless calls or Sridhar’s sheer bad luck caused the universe to short-circuit, we’ll never know. But we’re pretty sure the staff was sighing in unison.
Day 6: Ephesus, Dust, and the Great Mala-Kumar Mystery
Day 6, and we hit one of the big ones—Ancient Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. And honestly, what really felt like a wonder was how we all managed to keep smiling through a site that was bigger, dustier, and more sprawling than anything we’d seen so far. The ancient ruins stretched on endlessly, but so did the dust clouds we kicked up with each step. It was like exploring an outdoor sauna—if that sauna was over 2,000 years old and made of crumbling marble.
In the midst of this archaeological marathon, a new saga began to unfold. Kumar, bless him, kept stopping every few feet to ask, “Has anyone seen Mala?” His quest to locate his better half became a running gag. Naturally, Mala wasn’t far behind, wandering through the ruins, equally puzzled, asking, “Has anyone seen Kumar?” It was like watching an ancient love story play out in real-time. As the sun set, our tour guide
Ender ended the day with an anniversary cake for none other than— wait for it—Mala and Kumar. After spending the entire day in a comedic game of hide-and-seek, they were reunited in perfect time for cake. Turns out, Ephesus wasn’t just about ancient wonders—it was about modern love, comedic timing, and
maybe a bit too much dust. But hey, at least we got cake!
Day 7: Pamukkale’s Hot Springs and Unflattering Swimsuits
Day 7 saw us at the famous Pamukkale hot springs, where nature’s thermal pools and limestone terraces created a scene that was majestic; the usable hot springs pool, not so much. The hot springs were incredible—steaming, warm, and utterly relaxing, but before we could dive into that serenity, some of us had to confront a far more pressing challenge: the swimsuit situation.
Our “practical” choices that were anything but flattering. Undeterred, the brave among us donned these fashion disasters and splashed about in the hot springs like true warriors. Let’s just say that the hot water wasn’t the only thing bubbling—so was the laughter as we embraced our unique swimsuit looks.
Feeling refreshed, we packed up and hit the road again, driving toward the fabulous Marmarra Hotel in Antalya. And, as we checked in that evening, I think we could all agree: the beauty of Pamukkale was worth the wardrobe malfunction!
Day 8: Mediterranean Bragging Rights and Boat Karaoke
Ah, the Mediterranean—crystal-clear waters, the sun beaming down, and the perfect setting for a… wooden boat cruise! Yes, our trusty vessel may not have been the Titanic, but for that exact reason, we felt much safer. As Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On gently played in the background, we all climbed up to the helm, channeling our inner Jack and Rose, hoping not to recreate that ending. Thankfully, this wooden beauty was built to last!
Now, some brave souls among us—clearly seeking future bragging rights—decided that it wasn’t enough to just look at the Mediterranean. No, they had to conquer it. So, out came the life jackets, and one by one, they jumped into the cool waters. The rest of us? We did the most logical thing—we sat back, watched, and laughed at their shrieks as they realized the water was a lot colder than expected.
As if the scene wasn’t entertaining enough, Kumar decided to liven things up even more. Before we knew it, he had started a singing competition with our fellow tourists from Kerala. It was a battle of vocal cords, a duel of melodies, but no matter how fierce the competition, one thing was clear—nobody was sinking this ship.
By the end of the day, we were sun-kissed, slightly hoarse from
laughter, and feeling quite proud of our Mediterranean adventure. And let’s be honest, it’s not every day you get to outshine the Titanic… on a wooden boat!
Day 9: Caravanserais, Rumi, and a Future Halloween Costume
Day 9 took us deep into the heart of Silk Road nostalgia as we visited an actual
Caravanserai. This was the kind of place you only read about in those exotic tales of traders navigating from Constantinople to Damascus—an oasis straight out of the history books. As we stepped through its ancient archways, I half-expected to see camels lounging in the courtyard, sipping Turkish tea.
Our next stop in this desert mirage was a rather spiritual one—we were introduced to the wisdom of Rumi, the legendary Persian poet and mystic. If that wasn’t enough to get us into a contemplative state, we were soon treated to the mesmerizing performance of the Whirling
Dervishes. These guys spun around in circles like they were trying to unlock the mysteries of the universe—calm, graceful, and a little dizzying if you stared too long.
Mid-performance, inspiration struck me: This is it! Sridhar’s Halloween costume! With a bit of fabric and some practice on those whirls, Sridhar could totally nail the whole Dervish look come October. It was a moment of pure genius. I mean, how hard can it be to spin endlessly without toppling over, right?
By the end of the day, I think we all felt a little more in touch with history, a little more inspired by Rumi, and—thanks to the Whirling Dervishes—a lot more excited about this year’s Halloween party!
Day 10: Cappadocia: The Balloon That Never Was
Cappadocia! Land of fairy chimneys, underground cities, and… canceled hot air balloon rides. Yes, the day began with an early morning wake-up call, but only one of us made the wise (and now enviable) decision to skip it altogether. That lucky individual, let’s call her the “Balloon Prophet,” woke up at a reasonable hour and chuckled loudly as the other poor souls dragged themselves out of bed for an adventure that never lifted off. She has not stopped mentioning it since. Balloon-less but still determined, we turned our attention to Cappadocia’s famous caves. One particularly gracious cave dweller, along with his
equally charming wife, welcomed us into their cozy rock-cut home. Turkish hospitality at its finest! Over cups of piping hot tea (served straight from a cave kitchen!), we admired the unique décor and took what felt like a hundred group photos—because if you didn’t take a photo in a cave, did you even visit Cappadocia?
After that, it was on to the open-air museum of Goreme Valley, where we marveled at the ancient rock formations and frescoes. But after all the exploring, something even more ancient called to us—shopping! We made our way to a local carpet retailer, where the magic carpets practically flew into our imaginations. Some of us, clearly mesmerized by the visions of flying home on one of these beauties, splurged beyond our means.
Day 11: Pottery in Avanos and Finding Life Among the Dead in Ankara
Day 11 kicked off with more retail therapy, this time in the pottery haven of Avanos. We learned that the real danger in Turkey isn’t the hot sun or steep ruins—it’s our collective weakness for splurging on souvenirs! The pottery here was gorgeous, intricate, and of course, absolutely essential to our lives. After all, when will we ever get the chance to buy decorative plates that we’ll be too scared to actually use?
With our wallets lighter and our bags heavier, we bid Avanos farewell and headed to Turkey’s capital, Ankara. There’s nothing quite like a switch from whimsical pottery to the solemn grandeur of the Mausoleum of Atatürk. Some of us were dead to its attractions (pun fully intended), especially after our 10 days of non-stop touring. The rest of us, though, admired the impressive structure and paid respects to the founder of modern Turkey. Next, we visited the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, and it was here that the real magic happened. After days of feeling dusty, tired, and ancient ourselves, this place breathed new life into us. It’s ironic — surrounded by artifacts dating back thousands of years, suddenly we didn’t feel so old. The museum’s air conditioning may have helped. Either way, the museum managed to turn our group of worn-out tourists into curious adventurers again.
And thus, we ended Day 11 feeling richer—in pottery, knowledge, and perhaps just a tiny bit of buyer’s remorse.
Day 12: Istanbul’s Farewell Extravaganza
Our last day in Turkey, and naturally, we were going out with a splash—literally, as we took a ferry across the Bosphorus. It’s one thing to sail between two continents, but it’s another when you’re caught up in a fierce debate over whether the coffee on the Asian side tastes better than on the European side.
After that leisurely crossing, we found ourselves at the famed Grand Bazaar, which is less of a marketplace and more of a maze designed to trap tourists for hours. Some of us were determined to find last-minute souvenirs, while others were just trying to find the exit. Either way, we all spent more than we intended—but can you really put a price on the perfect evil eye charm?
As the day drew to a close, we shared our final goodbyes with Ender, our amazing tour coordinator, whose patience with our group of adventurers deserves an award. He may have expertly guided us through Turkey, but little did he know he’d need superhuman energy to manage our daily chaos. We said our fond farewells, each secretly wondering if we’d see him again on another adventure or if he’d block our contact details forever.
Day 13: Farewell, Turkey!
And so ended our 13-day whirlwind through Turkey—filled with ancient wonders, endless laughter, questionable swimsuits, and unforgettable memories.
A heartfelt thank you to Kalai for planning this incredible journey and daring to lead a gloriously chaotic crew like ours. It takes a special soul—and perhaps a little madness—to make a trip like this happen.
If We Ever Go Again…
On Splitwise, the App: When Splitting Bills Turns into Splitting Sides
We decided to use Splitwise on our Turkey trip — because what could be easier than letting an app track our expenses, right? Little did we know, we weren’t just splitting costs; we were about to split friendships, laughter, and maybe even the group in half.
First, there were the mathematically challenged among us, staring at the app as if it were written in hieroglyphics. “Wait, I owe how much for dinner? But I only had a salad!” Meanwhile, others were stealthily splitting expenses like seasoned pros, insisting that Turkish lira conversions were to blame for their “creative” math.
Then came the endless debates. Should we split the tip evenly, or should Kumar get a discount because he didn’t bother going inside all the “attractions”? And what about Sridhar, who spent the whole day on the phone with reception — should we really make him pay for the hotel?
Some of us focused more on splitting the laughter, with comments like, “Let’s split the bill—and Sridhar’s curtain rod repair while we’re at it.” Others seemed intent on splitting the group, conveniently disappearing every time the app pinged them for their share of the boat ride or that “extra” Turkish delight they swore was a gift for everyone.
In the end, though, Splitwise did its job. It kept us from turning into a real-life episode of Survivor: Turkey Edition, and somehow, we all left with our wallets (and friendships) mostly intact.
Learnings from this trip: Pack humor before sunscreen. Bring patience for ticket machines, flexible swimwear expectations, and an appreciation for chaos. And above all—travel with people who can turn every mishap into a memory worth retelling.
