Turkey

 A week before we embarked on our grand adventure, Turkey decided it was now to be called Turkiye.  So, naturally, as it was our first stop, to the Glasco family it has become known as Turki-YAY!  And, believe us, with everything we saw and did it really was YAY!

We arrived in Istanbul tired from our long flights but ready to experience the city that not only spans Asia and Europe geographically but culturally as well.

 Our first taste of this city was a traditional fish dinner.  This consists of cold appetizers (many small plates presented at the table from which to choose), hot appetizers, a large salad for the table and then grilled fish (all of the fish available for view in a cold case by the front door).  We finished this delicious dinner with traditional Turkish tea.  Definitely a good start to our Turkish experience. 

And, what would a delicious Turkish meal be without a sweet finish of yummy baclava.

The next day was a whirlwind tour of Istanbul.  It was raining but as our guide, Aykut, said, “it’s just summer rain, no problem”.  And, it wasn’t.  Umbrellas in hand we had a great overview of some of the top “not to be missed” sights (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Cisterns, Spice Market, etc, etc.).  We came away from the day with a much better understanding of Istanbul’s (Constantinople’s) place in and influence on the world.

Here are just a few pics from the day.

Then it was off to Bodrum where we boarded our beautiful Gulet, Ros Mare, the next day.

We have now spent a week cruising the Turkish Coast.  Here's a map showing where we traveled. 

While cruising this beautiful part of the Adriatic, we were completely spoiled by our very knowledgeable Captain, Cagatay, the crew members, Dogukal, Kal and Emir, and incomparable chef, Umut.   

And, here we all are.

There is no way pictures can describe how terrific this week has been but here are just a few to hopefully give you an idea. 

A bit of relaxing . . . . . . . . . . 

A bit of exploring  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A whole lot of fun in the water . . . . . . . . .

And, more food than you can imagine!  

Breakfast . . . . .

Lunch . . . . . . 

And dinner (there are 2 huge sea bass under the rock salt crust which is, yes, on fire.)

In addition to these three hearty meals a day and a "sweet" Umut would make for us at 5:00, we occasionally had the ice cream man motor on by.

 

Mmmmm, Mmmmmm, GOOD!

Turkiye is a very special place - one of the few places that Dale and I had wanted to revisit.  And it hasn’t disappointed.  The people are some of the warmest, most welcoming we have ever met and the Turquoise Coast is magical.  It has been so much fun watching our family experience it and come to love it as much as we do.

But, we are now back in Istanbul ready to fly off tomorrow.  The boys are leaving us but Jeff, Denise, Dale and I are headed to Munich to pick up our Porsches for the next leg of this incredible journey - a week in the Alps.  Vroom, vroom!

We leave you with a beautiful sunrise,

moonrise,

And, sunset.

See you in Germany!