Marci and Steve Go Back to Europe

Sept. 20 - Driving and Arriving A quick stroll through Akyaka and we were five Turkish towels richer (read, more to pack into that one suitcase) and on our way to stop number one, Marmaris. We knew this was a very popular beach resort but were still surprised when we parked and saw kilometers of sand, packed cheek to jowl with sunbeds and umbrellas.  Alongside there was a wide paved walkway for people and bikes and scooters. On the other side of the walk were hotels and restaurants, one after the other, a bit like what you might imagine as a Turkish Wildwood or Miami. Some were very modern and hip looking, others a bit tired but all were working the crowd with tempting two for one cocktails before lunch. Each restaurant seemed to 'own' the beach directly across and provided free sunbeds, umbrellas, wifi and outdoor showers as long as you sat and drank and ate, pretty good deal!  We stopped at the brand new 'Beachfront Hotel', yes that is the actual name, for a drink and...

Heading for the Peninsula Waking up early in Pamukkale and a fast breakfast and exit as we cannot wait to leave this hotel. Although Steve will say I am exaggerating, it was SKEEVY, so bad that I skipped a shower hoping our next stop would be better. And this was one of the best hotels in town.... Our drive down through the mountains and farms was beautiful as we passed fields of unusual 'flowers' being harvested which we were sure was maybe poppy or something similar. A gas station attendant said it was something like tobacco....so what do you think? There are fields of pomegranate and cotton and olive trees and sunflowers post harvest.  In small rural villages there are ancient houses and ancient women, in their babushka type headscarves, sitting on benches in threes or fours all day long, looking more like Russian peasants.  There are herds of sheep with their sheperds and then modern cities of 500,000 with nothing but new apartment buildings. It is dusty everywhere, so muc...

Good morning to all. Once again, Marci gets a day of rest.....so, a perfect day to wind-up WTF Game #8. Let's reveiw. Here is what the quiz was: And, I stated I thought this would be easy...... Well, MANY guesses from many players......But NO correct answers. So, here is what I could have shared ro make it even easier: 1) Spotted in Turkey 2) Sold on the street 3) Very popular ??????     ?????   ????? Here it is in use: STILL NOT SURE ????? Sold on a BRIDGE - Used like this: Fishing from the bridges is Super popular in Istanbul, and EVERYBODY uses these. You can not only buy or rent this, but also a rod, reel, tackle, and live bait, right on the bridge...I was tempted. Thanks for playing.....stay tuned for # 9 !!!!!! Steve Schwartz

Traveling through Turkey I am so behind on blogging about our sightseeing, due of course to Steve's WTF #8 ( which he believes is the only reason people read the blog)  that only very quickly will I share our last day in Istanbul: Topkapi  Palace- huge, incredible, more decadence and tiles than we have ever seen and getting to touch where the Black Eunuchs lived!  A Bazaar - bought nothing but beautiful to look at, more upscale. The Cistern - beautifully lit underground cisterns dating back to who knows when, I have lost track.  ( 6 th Century - SS) Nar Restaurant- upscale modern dinner, cool place, on terrace. THEN .... A quick flight to Izmir on Tuesday and a roomy white Hyundai Accent from Thrifty was all we needed to leave the big city and head to the countryside. After a very quick 50 minute drive, off the main road, down some dusty alley and around a corner, we arrived at the Ephesus Suites Hotel, on a street named 1053.  ( no, really...the streets n...

Marci has the day off. Today we travel from IST to Izmir, rent a car, and start the road-trip portion of the Turkey adventure. Marci has written over 80 posts so far, so I think she deserves a day of rest. And the WTF contest is one of the more popular features anyway..... (you didn't know I can see how many people log on everyday? Of course....week days are busier then week-ends.....More photos better than less.... And most people like the food pictures best of all...) Game #8  This one is pretty simple, so no clues. Rules same as before - What is it, and what is it for? First correct answer wins 2 cocktails with me the next time we meet up. No more than 3 guesses per contestant. Winner decided by the time stamp on your e- mail to me ( sjs123sjs@gmail.com) or to the blog post. And it would be nice to hear from some of you once in a while.. Way to many voyeurs who always read but never send a note to Marci or I....We love to hear from you!! Here's the Photo Clue: Good Luck, and...

Our Golden Triangle on the Golden Horn (from mosque to sea to hammam) Even though we were bordering on being churched-out on our trip, mosques are all new to us, so each one seems unique and interesting. We started the day off at Suleyman Mosque built in the 1500's by a generous and magnanimous sultan. The mosque has no mosaics, no art but is filled with beautiful painted domes and walls. And since it was early in the day and less visited than the Blue Mosque, no smelly feet, just a real treat. From there we headed down to the water to hop on our Bosphorous ferry. The ride would take us up the strait almost into the Black Sea (we could see it), passing palaces, mosques, summer homes and grand hotels. Ninety minutes later we disembarked in a small seaside town lined with fish restaurants for a late lunch. As the boat pulled in, waiters were standing on the sea wall waving and beckoning the new arrivals, hoping to fill their tables. Every ice cream stand had a hawker as well as every...