I’ve always wanted to try a Turkish bath. Call me crazy, but the idea of paying someone to throw cold water on me,and slap the crap out of me sounds like an experience I want to try. When the opportunity presented itself after a hot and dusty day exploring the ruins of Petra, in Jordan, I jumped at it. As much as I have seen the general idea on tv and in movies, it doesn’t really prepare you for the real thing.

Taking a balloon ride over the surreal landscape of Cappadocia has to be on everyones bucket list.

The weather shifted from hot to humid. My clothes clung to me like a scared child clings to their mother. The bus weaved back and forth on the cliffside drive in a hypnotic dance. Corner after corner we caught glimpses of the Mediterranean sea, sapphire blue waters glinting in calm, inviting bays. Our destination for the next few days was the small costal town of Kas.

Istanbul is not what I expected. I say this every time I travel somewhere new. That's the beauty of travel, it's never what you expected, but often what you need. I arrived late last night, my bed called me like a siren. I succumbed to its embrace.