Not looking forward to the 24 hour travel day tmrw. Had a wonderful trip but looking forward to getting home and seeing my family and Wolfie. :)
A few more pics . . .
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
'til next time istanbul
It's been a lovely few days. Lots of delicious food and exploring old streets and sites. Could have used a few more days of relaxing at a cafe by the Bosporus.
Not looking forward to the 24 hour travel day tmrw. Had a wonderful trip but looking forward to getting home and seeing my family and Wolfie. :)
A few more pics . . .
Not looking forward to the 24 hour travel day tmrw. Had a wonderful trip but looking forward to getting home and seeing my family and Wolfie. :)
A few more pics . . .
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Ayasofya wow! And some good eats
I understand them now. Those of you whom, when asked about Istanbul, gush about how much you love the city.
It is a beautiful city, full of charm and character. The Turkish people are friendly. The kids especially. The business men (carpet and ceramic sellers) are very smart, using a befriending tactic. All very nice, despite their motives.
The mezzes are delicious, including many eggplant and tomato dishes, rice wrapped in grape leaves, cold seabass amd onions, cold octopus, grilled octopus. The seafood is so fresh and wonderful, straight from the Bosporus.
The ayasofya I am not sure how to describe. It is quite unassuming from the outside but once you stepped inside you are transported to another place and time. I was speechless and could stop staring. Just exquisite.
For some reason the grade school kids here have been coming up to me and asking to take photos with me. It's very cute so I have taken many photos with Turkish kids. They all seem a bit shy to ask and then once one person asks, they all want a photo. Mostly girls, fewer boys. Very fun.
Last night we went to the 360 club for some beers and trancing! Rich dancing! Only took 2 glasses of wine and 2 beers ;) What fun it was on a rooftop bar with a 360 view of the city. Fireworks lit up the sky too!
Ok off to dinner and another enchanting evening in Istanbul.
Görüşmek üzere (see you later)
It is a beautiful city, full of charm and character. The Turkish people are friendly. The kids especially. The business men (carpet and ceramic sellers) are very smart, using a befriending tactic. All very nice, despite their motives.
The mezzes are delicious, including many eggplant and tomato dishes, rice wrapped in grape leaves, cold seabass amd onions, cold octopus, grilled octopus. The seafood is so fresh and wonderful, straight from the Bosporus.
The ayasofya I am not sure how to describe. It is quite unassuming from the outside but once you stepped inside you are transported to another place and time. I was speechless and could stop staring. Just exquisite.
For some reason the grade school kids here have been coming up to me and asking to take photos with me. It's very cute so I have taken many photos with Turkish kids. They all seem a bit shy to ask and then once one person asks, they all want a photo. Mostly girls, fewer boys. Very fun.
Last night we went to the 360 club for some beers and trancing! Rich dancing! Only took 2 glasses of wine and 2 beers ;) What fun it was on a rooftop bar with a 360 view of the city. Fireworks lit up the sky too!
Ok off to dinner and another enchanting evening in Istanbul.
Görüşmek üzere (see you later)
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Güle güle Cappadocia
More trekking through underground cities with trap holes and stone one-way doors, 4000 year old cave playhouse/jungle gyms, hiking in the beautiful valleys and mountainside, exploring little Greek villages (yes in turkey) and ending the day with a massage and relaxation at the Hamam. What a perfect way to end our stay in cappadocia. :)
Looking forward to Istanbul tmrw!
Looking forward to Istanbul tmrw!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Cappadocia
We are in a mystical dreamy land of fairy chimneys, cave churches and homes and over 200 underground cities.
Yesterday we explored huge rock church caves with frescoes and paintings inside.
Rich climbed up 3 story rock houses where people used to live (I only made it up 2). See photo of rich in orange shirt.
This morning we woke up at 4am to go on a hot air balloon ride. It was quite windy, so we were lucky as we were one of the 2 of the 5 balloons in our group that flew. We flew over many pretty valleys and saw many other balloons too.
We then visited a large, intricate underground city where they used to hide for over a month. They had 8 levels underground with stables, wineries, churches, kitchens, etc. They has tiny small tunnels and one way stone doors to prevent intruders. It was quite claustrophobic.
We also stopped by a pottery shop where they make beautiful pottery. Lucky for rich, I only took a photo. ;)
Ps ghostrider2 was filmed here. Guess we will rent it when we get back.
Yesterday we explored huge rock church caves with frescoes and paintings inside.
Rich climbed up 3 story rock houses where people used to live (I only made it up 2). See photo of rich in orange shirt.
This morning we woke up at 4am to go on a hot air balloon ride. It was quite windy, so we were lucky as we were one of the 2 of the 5 balloons in our group that flew. We flew over many pretty valleys and saw many other balloons too.
We then visited a large, intricate underground city where they used to hide for over a month. They had 8 levels underground with stables, wineries, churches, kitchens, etc. They has tiny small tunnels and one way stone doors to prevent intruders. It was quite claustrophobic.
We also stopped by a pottery shop where they make beautiful pottery. Lucky for rich, I only took a photo. ;)
Ps ghostrider2 was filmed here. Guess we will rent it when we get back.
Afrodosias and Pamukkale
Two more beautiful sites in Turkey. We drive over 7 hours in one day, but it was worth it.
After Afrodosias (2 hrs from selcuk) we were feeling ambitious and adventurous and decided to trek on 1.5 hrs to pamukkale.
We arrived around 7 pm and asked if it was open. "open 24 hrs" said the guy.
We hiked 1.5 miles and finally arrived at the beautiful white tide pools. As we were wading through the warm water, it started to sprinkle and soon thereafter it started to rain and then it began to pour cats and dogs.
Of course it would rain on rich (Charlie brown) :) we hiked all the way back in the dark and pouring rain.
Thank goodness for the iPhone flashlight, singing in the rain and the dog who lived in pamukkale. The dog sort of led us back to the entrance (because there were no lights to guide us back) and then tried to go home with us.
After Afrodosias (2 hrs from selcuk) we were feeling ambitious and adventurous and decided to trek on 1.5 hrs to pamukkale.
We arrived around 7 pm and asked if it was open. "open 24 hrs" said the guy.
We hiked 1.5 miles and finally arrived at the beautiful white tide pools. As we were wading through the warm water, it started to sprinkle and soon thereafter it started to rain and then it began to pour cats and dogs.
Of course it would rain on rich (Charlie brown) :) we hiked all the way back in the dark and pouring rain.
Thank goodness for the iPhone flashlight, singing in the rain and the dog who lived in pamukkale. The dog sort of led us back to the entrance (because there were no lights to guide us back) and then tried to go home with us.
Efes (Ephesus)
Wanted to share a few pics from a few days in efes. Natureland efes (a retreat) sort of reminds me of carmel valley, Turkish sunset and the library of celsus at efes. A tremendous amount of history in this region. 
Avery building at Columbia
I may be partial since my niece to be may be named Avery, but this building at Columbia is a great work of architecture. They just don't make them like this anymore. 
Le bernardin chawanmushi
The most delicious chawanmushi you will ever have. Fresh uni, geoduck, amaebi, and I'm sure I missed some other items. 
Dominique ansel madeleines (NY)
If you love madeleines, you must try these made to order bite size madeleines. They are only available after 3pm on fri-Sunday I believe. Call to check. 
Friday, May 18, 2012
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