We ended our stay in Istanbul with the crowds celebrating Republic Day; the 101st annual commemoration of the formation of the Republic of Türkiye on October 29, 1923. Mustafa Ataturk became the freshly-minted country’s first president, ending the long rule of the Ottoman Empire. Republic Day is a big deal – two days filed with … More And…that’s a wrap!
Istanbul has had a centuries-long love affair with cats. Revered for their rodent-control abilities and regarded as community pets, most street corners have bowls of water and food out for their beloved felines. They number anywhere from several thousand to over a million, in Istanbul alone. The cats are remarkably healthy, with shiny coats and … More Istanbul, Part 2: Cats, Cisterns and Coloured Houses
Whoa – Istanbul is so much more than we had anticipated. Bigger, noisier, grander, older, newer, hillier, more interesting, more captivating, more everything. And we’re already tired. Our trip is winding down, we’re beginning to shift gears to think about being home again and now we have Istanbul to contend with. But we can do … More Istanbul Has Got Us On The Run.
If you aren’t a history buff or a big fan of Homer’s epic poems, you might never find yourself in the modern city of Canakkale. Described as being “a small vibrant port city“, it is conveniently located to both the ancient city of Troy and the battlefields of Gallipoli, and probably the only reason most … More Canakkale: Caught Between Two Wars
After leaving the thinning crowds in the seaside towns of Kas and Feithye, we had the feeling that beach season was winding down in Turkiye and our arrival in Alacati confirmed that. We chose this tiny town (pop. just over 10,000) in part because it had been described as being “like a Greek seaside village“, … More Summer Gone: Alacati’s Crowds have Left the Building.
We had no idea. We thought we were visiting the remains of what was once the most important ancient Greek city and trading centre between Europe and Asia. We had also read that many of the ruins were built during Augustus’ rule during the Roman Empire and that they were still in remarkably good condition. … More Ephesus: Turkey’s Christian Pilgrimage
Actually, they’re here. Feithye has been attracting British tourists for decades with its crystal waters, local ruins, cheap beer and sports bars broadcasting British football games. Between 5,000 and 7,000 British expats live in this town of just over 177,000, and many, many more arrive each year for their annual holiday. Their impact is so … More The British are Coming! The British are Coming!
After a seven-hour drive from the conservative fold of Konya, through rich agricultural land and twisty mountain roads, we spilled out onto the sparkling coast of the Mediterranean Sea. While my first impression of the town of Kas (pronounced Kash) was that it reminded me of Greece, I’m quite sure the Turks would bristle at … More Kas: Turquoise Water, Cobblestone Streets and Colourful Cafes
Rumi, the celebrated 13th-century poet, philosopher, scholar and founder of the Sufi mystical cult, would have been 817 years old today. Notable – his works have lasted. They are translated all over the world and he is still considered the “top-selling poet” in the United States. Not to condense Rumi’s contributions to a few pithy … More Celebrating Rumi’s birthday in Konya
Many people come to this area for just a couple of days, with the primary attraction being a ride in a hot air balloon. Now, one can certainly see the attraction of climbing into a wicker basket and lifting off at sunrise over an otherworldly landscape. The romance, the bucket-list box ticked, the celebratory champagne … More Cappadocia: So Much More than Hot Air Balloons
Leaving Ourselves Behind 