Just learned this morning that Brian Johnson is blogging during the tour in Turkey. He has visited other parts of Turkey previously and spent a semester at Jerusalem University College in Israel. The name of his blog is Byteofisrael.blogspot.com. Since he is involved with computers in his work, he is doing something unique for us. He began today charting our trip on Google Maps.
Scroll back a couple of posts for others of our group who are blogging.
We spent the full day in Cappadocia. As usual with our tour, we have a local photographer to make a group photo at one of the interesting spots we visit. Our photo this time was made at Uchisar. Do you know anyone in our group?
Ancient Crossroads Tour of Biblical and Historical Turkey. Photo taken at Uchisar in Cappadocia. Click on photo for a larger image.
The Bible tells us that Jews of Cappadocia were present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9). Peter wrote his epistles to saints scattered throughout Cappadocia and other places in Roman Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. (1 Peter 1:1-2)
John Freely describes Cappadocia in these words:
“Most of this part of Cappadocia is covered with a deep layer of tufa, a soft stone of solidified mud, ash and lava which once poured down from the now extinct volcanoes on Hasan Dagi and Ericiyes Dagi, the two great mountain peaks of Cappadocia. In the eons since then the rivers of the region have scoured canyons, gorges, valleys and gulleys through the soft and porous stone, and the elements have eroded it into fantastic crags, folds, turrets, pyramids, spires, needles, stalagmites, and cones, creating a vast outdoor display of stone sculptures in an incredible variety of shapes and colours” (The Companion Guide to Turkey, 238).
In the centuries after New Testament times many Christians settled in this volcanic region of perhaps 50,000 cones.
Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Book of Acts, Church History, New Testament, Photography, Travel
Tuesday afternoon our group arrived in Ankara, capital of the Republic of Turkey. Wednesday traveled about three hours of Ankara to Bogazkale, the capital of the ancient Hittite (Hatti) kingdom.
The photo below shows ruins of what is designated Temple 1 in the Lower City of ancient capital. The walls seen here are the only reconstructed walls from the ancient city. The ruins belong to the most sacred building of the city. The jars in the foreground are samples of many that were found. They were used to hold cuneiform tablets, and grain, wine, and oil used in the temple services.
Temple area and reconstructed walls at Bogazkale. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
I don’t seem to be finding the time to blog, but several of our travelers are doing so. You may find what they write more interesting because they tend to write about things as they see them through fresh eyes that have not been here before. All of them have traveled with me before, and I think most of them have visited Western Turkey on a previous tour.
Alexander’s Adventure – http://jimmyanddarlene.wordpress.com/
This is the blog of Jimmy and Darlene Alexander. What an appropriate title for a tour in Turkey. Jimmy and Darlene are new to blogging, but they have traveled a lot, and Darlene has recently learned how to use an iPad Mini, photo editor, etc., and doing a good job of it.
Braman’s Wandering – http://bramanswanderings.wordpress.com/
Steven Braman is literally a world traveler in his work. He blogs on a wide variety of things.
The other side of the world – http://stacyjobe.blogspot.com/
Stacy Jobe blogged during our Steps of Paul and John tour in 2012. She has updated her blog for this tour. Stacy is a multi-talented young lady who finds something interesting in whatever she sees.
Scene With Sharon – http://scenewithsharon.blogspot.com/
According to the NASA website, Sharon Cobb “is the lead scientist developing an important facility for studying materials in the International Space Station.” She loves traveling on earth, too. Sharon blogged from Egypt during our 2009 tour.
Turkey is a wonderful place to visit for those interested in ancient and biblical history. Enjoy the country through the eyes of these people are traveling with me on this journey.
Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Culture, Old Testament, Photography, Travel, Turkey
Ferrell's Travel Blog 
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