Europa 1977

This was the trip that started it all. Airfares had dropped bringing Europe into reach. A chance to see a bit of the world before settling down - little did I know that I’d see something better. Armed with a rail pass, I rolled between London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Paris, Rome, Munich, Salzburg, Luxembourg and Zurich. Included was a cruise down the Rhine. I don’t know which was worse. Castle after castle under grey skies or the awful elevator music blasted on the boat. As sparingly as I was taking photos, for some reason I went snap-happy overlooking Bergen, Norway (so you’d better enjoy the view). My cheap pocket camera broke in Austria and Switzerland, so those images reside in my memory for you mindreaders out there. As all roads lead to Rome, guess where this show ends. The musical accompaniment is Tutta Va Bene by Camille Bazbaz.

Lycia, Turkey

Lycia in the southwest of Turkey - Start in the ruins of the ancient city of Termessos. Alexander the Great besieged it, finally throwing in the towel and rejoining the hippie trail to India. Then on to Antalya on the Mediterranean. Another big city with a picturesque (pronounced touristy) old town, Kaleiçi. As it was Ramadan, there were festivities at night with a throbbing disco beat to keep a weary traveller awake. Then overland to the Aegean, staying in the village of Faralya, perched atop rugged cliffs. A climb down a goat trail to Butterfly Valley. Daytrippers from the town down the coast, come in the easy way by boat. Then back up for a fiery sunset as Apollo steers his chariot to the horizon. The musical accompaniment is Ölürüm Sana by Tarkan, and Siradan by Hadise.