Here's our breakfast we enjoyed for the two mornings in Safranbolu - reminded us of the "many plates" breakfasts in Japan. Not pictured are the scrambled eggs they were whipping up for us.
Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire during the late Bronze Age (3300-1200 B.C.). Its ruins lie near modern Boğazkale, Turkey. We detour 90 minutes or so to tour the ruins of Hattusa.
After passing through the ramparts, via tunnel, of the remaining defensive walls of the ancient city, we ascend to the top to get a high view of the ruins.
The white sphinx's are reproductions of the originals which were removed to a museum for their protection.
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These are foundations of temples - the upper structures were made of wood poles, mud bricks and stucco which could not withstand the centuries of weathering. We'd see a reproduction of these structures later.
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Another reproduction, but faithful to the original.
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Cows roaming amongst the temple ruins, up on the high plain. Watch out for the cow pies!
Look closely, see the hieroglyphics telling an epic story - yeah, they're pretty weather worn after 4,000 years.
The weather today is fantastic, so far - it's the warmest we've been in Turkey (around 75F).
A memorial niche of some kind - with more detailed hieroglyphics that are better shielded from the elements.
Looking down upon more temple ruin foundations...
Here's a closeup of ruins of dwellings, built in the same era as the great Pyramids.
You can now see the recreated building structures - these comprise a short portion of the defensive walls.
The archaeologists based this recreation on terra cotta pottery models of buildings found in the ruins.
A lot of civilization goings on happened here 4-5,000 years ago
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It's nice that this site is uncluttered with modern trappings, and with just a few fellow tourists wandering about - our payoff for spending more time in Turkey and getting off the well beaten path.
Now in an area of burials for the highfalutin types of yesteryear...
His and her eternal resting places - okay, where are they?, so not so eternal.
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We're done with Hattusa, and taking a break before starting the second half of today's drive to Cappadocia.
We drove through some thunderstorms on some nice roads and not so nice roads, checked into our lodging (wait to you see those photos), and went out for a quick meal at 8pm. Gerri had the big cheese sandwich with lentil soup, and Tim a mish-mash of little meat balls in a yogurt soup (Manti).
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After dinner we headed back to the room and went straight to bed. It was a long day and a long drive. Tomorrow we explore Cappadocia. Until then...
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