On the Bosphorous Bridge, halfway between Asia and Europe.
Like smokers, dogs run freely throughout Turkey
Our hotel was on a street that brides and photographers often choose for portraits and engagement sittings. In three days we happened on five. And we were away most of the day.
The owner’s daughter imploring diners to eat at daddy’s restaurant.
I watched this young lady dancing on the sidewalk. She saw me, too, smiled.
40% of the citizens smoke.
Istanbul has 15,000,000 residents. Every one of them followed us down this street. Time to leave, a flight to Cappadocia.
350 hot air balloons rose one of the mornings we were in Cappadocia.
We spent several hours at a farm, helping prepare a sumptuous lunch. The matriarch of the family.
A wood fire was prepared for the dough that was pasted on the walls of the oven. Best bread ever.
The farm owned vineyards and a view to a distant mountain.
…wore a skirt provided for the lunch.
Feeding pigeons in Cappadocia
…was in a cave.
Three master potters, thousands of pots for sale. We bought a few modestly priced pieces.
Weaving instructions
9000 available. We bought one.
We chose the one in front.
Members of an order of Sufi Muslims, known for their ceremonies in which they perform a whirling dance as a devotional act. Next stop. Antalya.
sleeping in front of a 2000 year old wall.
We spent an evening with this family. The wife prepared a wonderful dinner for five of us.
A one hour lecture from a noted archaeologist who uncovered much of the nearby ancient ruins.
A sampling of what was excavated in Pergamom and Aspendos.
The woman on the right is a favorite. Sweeping curves suggest dance.
Second century BC.
Think Ben-Hur. Chariot races, etc.
Feral dogs and cats have free reign in Turkey
Dates back to the 5th century BC.
A gulet is a traditional design of a two-masted or three-masted wooden sailing vessel from the southwestern coast of Turkey. Six cabins.
First day out we witnessed war games. Paratroopers and warship.
Minerals reveal the unedited color of the water
We saw several yachts probably owned by Russian oligarchs. This was one of the smaller ones.
We spent another night in a cove where during the day party boats disgorged hundreds of day trippers.
In Alaska we were asked by our guide, “How do many of these goats die?” Pause. “They fall.” Duh.
Greek “ghost town.” Greeks were relocated from their homes in the aftermath of the Turkish War of Independence.
He stopped the bus for a routine inspection, then took off his helmet for a portrait.
Hundreds of sailboats
Marmaris, where we left our gulet
I walked into the wrong shop. Well, not really.
Our last stop before departure.
As many as 200,000 people lived here. It was built on the coast now five miles away.
St. Paul preached here to the Ephesians
Does anyone send postcards anymore?
We were stunned by the artistry uncovered from as early as 2600 years ago, a testimony to the sophisticated level of intelligent civilizations that long preceded us.