Yesterday our friends Jim and Carol came, we had pizza in the backyard. Mina likes them, "Jim and Carol are really nice people," she says. Jim took some photographs of Mimi and Dede, we had fun. Thanks Jim for taking these photographs. … [Read more...]
Anemon Hotel and Grifin Fish Restaurant
Ergun, my brother-in-law, and good friend, scouts the most interesting places to visit. On June 29 we visited the Covered Bazaar for some last minute shopping then went to the Tunel district in old Pera. The first stop was an interesting bookstore which seemed to specialize in historical … [Read more...]
Bursa
We left Tenedos on June 23, the ferry fares are paid both ways on the way back from the island. Not a bad idea at all. We drove through Çan (Chan), Biga (Big-ah), Karacabey (Karadja-bay), to Bursa with a lunch stop at Biga. Bursa is the original capital of the Ottoman Empire and served in … [Read more...]
Tenedos, II, the second day
We wanted to see the island, and the thyme fields, once more and decided to stay another day on the island. The next morning we strolled around town, visited the Bozcaada Museum, a small collection of local artifacts and historical tidbits. After a nice lunch under the pine trees at the center of … [Read more...]
Tenedos, I (Bozcaada)
On June 21 we left Ayvalik to catch the ferry to Tenedos, a small island on the northwest corner of the Aegean coast of Turkey. By all calculations we should have made the 1:00 pm ferry very comfortably, but since we left about 20 minutes later than planned, we made it to the boat by the skin of our … [Read more...]
Ayvalik-Lesvos Days
June 21, we learned about a wonderful cultural exchange between Ayvalik and Lesvos (Λέσβος) only one day before we left Ayvalik. Apparently, it first started last year at Lesvos, alternating the festivities between there and Ayvalik. The part we saw was a folk dance performance and both the Ayvalik … [Read more...]
Deniz Kestanesi, again
Yes, we went there again; it is a very enjoyable place. Tonight was the broadcast of the visit of Mr. Vedat Milor whom we saw about a month ago recording there. All in all, it was a good review but I could not understand why he praised everything served and yet gave the food 3 out of 5. For some … [Read more...]
Dinner at Deniz Kestanesi
Yesterday afternoon we stayed home, tended to some computer installation issues, rested. Later in the afternoon, we strolled to "Deniz Kestanesi" (Sea Urchin) in town. The hollyhocks on the street where we live are probably 12' tall; I kid you not! I took a few photographs along the way, including a … [Read more...]
Ayvalik
We are in Ayvalik again, the weather is very nice; a bit on the warm side but perfectly tolerable. The Melin house and its garden continue to please everyone who visits it. Yesterday we had an interesting group of guests. Two ladies who were born in the house where the conservatory now stands and … [Read more...]
Sunset over the Bosphorus
We enjoyed a very special dinner at the Borsa restaurant at Kandilli. Later on, the sunset and the lighting on the Bosphorus Bridge (the first one for those wondering) created great colors and mood. I tried to capture the spirit of the moment in between the great food. This is the view we all … [Read more...]