After staying in Istanbul for two day
s, I decide to move into Central Anatolia to Amasya, a town with Ottoman architecture. I bought myself an overnight bus ticket from Istanbul, and it took me around 8 hours to reach Amasya. The petrol RON95 price in Turkey is around TL3.80 per liter, but the long distance bus fare is considered at reasonable rate, and the service are good. Drinks e.g. hot tea/coffee, fruit juice or soft drink will be served during the bus trip. Besides that, when you purchased bus ticket, they will note down whether you are "Bay" or "Bayan" and solo female traveler will not be seated beside a male stranger.
s, I decide to move into Central Anatolia to Amasya, a town with Ottoman architecture. I bought myself an overnight bus ticket from Istanbul, and it took me around 8 hours to reach Amasya. The petrol RON95 price in Turkey is around TL3.80 per liter, but the long distance bus fare is considered at reasonable rate, and the service are good. Drinks e.g. hot tea/coffee, fruit juice or soft drink will be served during the bus trip. Besides that, when you purchased bus ticket, they will note down whether you are "Bay" or "Bayan" and solo female traveler will not be seated beside a male stranger.The bus reached Amasya Otogar (Bus terminal) around 6am the next day before it heads for its last stop in Tokat. I was a bit blur waking up early in the morning, but luckily there is always minivan transfer service by the bus company from the Otogar to the town center. Most of the bus terminals are located quite a distance away from the town center. However, I encounter one minor problem during the transfer, as the driver and passengers do not speak any English, and the driver is sending the passengers back to their home which is not in the town center where I want to go to look for hotel. I am the only passenger left in the minivan by then, and I was trying my very best to tell them when I wish to go, and even show them the map in my Lonely Planet (But it doesn't help). And one last try after that is I picked my mobile, dial the number of a hotel located in town center, and pass the phone to the driver...and it works. After that incident, I learn a new Turkish word - Sehir Merkezi which means centrum or town center. Thanks for the patience of the driver sending me right in front of the hotel.
Besides its attractive architecture, there are rock-cut tombs of t
he Pontic Kings up on the mountain at northern bank of the river. These tombs was built as early as 4th century BC, but now all tombs are empty. The rock tomb are cut in a way that there is a passageway round the tomb, but a gate is built and no visitor is allowed. The views over the town also make the climb up to the tomb worthwhile. Both southern and northern bank can be seen clearly up here. Most Ottoman houses are found in northern bank, while new town scape can be seen in southern bank of the river.
he Pontic Kings up on the mountain at northern bank of the river. These tombs was built as early as 4th century BC, but now all tombs are empty. The rock tomb are cut in a way that there is a passageway round the tomb, but a gate is built and no visitor is allowed. The views over the town also make the climb up to the tomb worthwhile. Both southern and northern bank can be seen clearly up here. Most Ottoman houses are found in northern bank, while new town scape can be seen in southern bank of the river.
Amasya is also famed for its apples. I bought some and tried, juicy, sweet and good taste. It is a relaxing moment walking alone the river banks, enjoying the cool breeze with beautiful Ottoman building hanging at the riverbank. Amasya is also famous for one of the Turkey's best-loved folk tales, the tragic love story of Ferhat and Sirin, which is similar to the story of Romeo and Juliet. And this folk tales make this place a romantic place to be. A statue of the two lovers is built at the southern bank of the river.
I stayed in a small hotel in the town center, and the hotel owner Mr Kenan owns also a restaurant just next to his hotel. He is very friendly, and his friendliness is not the cross-border type even though he knows that I am alone and not married. I feel comfortable resting in the lobby, doing my last minute plan where to next and writing some notes. Mr Kenan will serve me Cay and make sure I am comfortable. He is so interested to know how his name is written in Chinese, and I wrote to him as 柯南 (Isn't this one of the famous detective in comics?) When he knows I am looking for the direction of the mosque with spiral minaret, he even personally brought me there.
There are many mosques or camii all over Amasya. The mosque with spiral minaret named Burmali Minare Camii, is more unique among others. It was built by the Seljuks between 1237 and 1247, with elegant spiral carving on the minaret. Besides the unique minaret, there is obvious Seljuks influence in the architecture.A small peaceful town, which marked a good start of my journey into Eastern Turkey.
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