Hotel Ontur Izmir

... days were Brian's turn and today it's mine. Best guess is that he picked up something in Athens or on the boat over to Turkey.

So we've been in Urla. Not a tourist town in the least. I did a little internet search that came up with nothing. Asking the guy at the hotel what there was to see in town came out with blank stares. But just watching the day to day workings of this little quarter of the city are interesting enough for me.
Urla, İzmir, Turkey 2totango

... player to have some consistency in her game & as ever put her all into it creating spaces and chances for everyone else. Sue (who was admired by the Turkish fans) and Jess put up a decent battle on the wings, but the Turks were defending in packs so little came of most of their work. It ended 0-0 after the first 45 minutes.
The second half started and saw us in different seats. We moved to get a better view of the other end of the pitch, where we would now be attacking - and to try ...

Hello

Well, we made it to Izmir, but for a while we didn't think it was going to happen.

Let me take you through it one bit at a time. So get yourself a cup of tea and maybe a biscuit or two, get comfy and let's begin.

Wednesday 25th started like every other working day. Up at 6.30am and out by 8am. By 8.40am I was teaching and Lisa was working. 4pm comes round and here's were normal Wednesday starts to change. Lisa picks me up early from work ...

I felt asleep before 630 last evening, and got up at 5 this morning. What a sound sleep! And an amazing new noon arose outside my window. The prayer sound made the context really turkish.

Our lunch was at a resort with a lake. There were no other customers but us, the participants at the conference. It cost 20 lira, so maybe too expensive for local people.

Dinner was lighter, but i still couldn't finish it.

... but there was a language problem and the outcome was unclear. Maybe they would meet us later at the bar at the end of town. Therer was no menu and no english so the ordering was random and see what came. They didn't sell beer so I went to the corner shop. It then transpires that as the tables are on the street were not allowed to drink from the bottles. So plastic cups are produced and the bottles put in a bag under the table. We ...

... We left Istanbul by high speed ferry, a fantastic way to travel with bikes, just wheel on and off the boat. For unknown reasons they did decide to walk us through the metal detectors (WITH the fully loaded bikes, yes), but otherwise very easy. Then we headed west along the Dardanelles and on down to Cannakale. After a week in tourist-central in Istanbul, it was nice to get in touch with the real Turkey. Turks are friendly, hospitable folks! And despite dire warnings ...

... Grand Bali and Wasa hotels and Cleopatras Beach. Cok tessekur ederim and kolay galsin. On the June 17th we all made our separate ways after a tearful farewell. After a weeks lounging on the beach and at Waza's bar I must have lost my road sense. I turned onto the main road after leaving the hotel and promptly crashed. In Turkey, overtaking vehicles generally sound their horns to announce their intentions to the vehicle infront. It can be annoying but you get used to it. Being away ...

... People are fishing off the Galata Bridge at 11PM. It is a pleasant fall night. I like the Marmara Pera Hotel - it is small and cozy. Our room for the night is facing the east. The drapes are a deep plum colour and the chair is done in a sage fabric, quite cozy. David goes over to the small shop across the street to buy some drinks. We don't have to leave until after 8AM tomorrow morning to catch our Delta flight back to New York City.

... match and had quite the time. The Turks are fanatics! For some reason I thought of Tommy (Cynda's beau). He's Danish...maybe he's a fanatical freak too?

So, all this enjoyment has included beverages and I'm afraid to calculate what my daily budget has been! C'est la vie. I'm off for the 85km ride to Selçuk.

As usual, pics will follow...internet is free here but no USB.

Over and OUT.

Our cruise stopped off in Turkey for a day. We toured a bazar/casbah and drank some tea.
I remember on our land approach, being surprised at how deep green colour the hills were, popluated with so many trees. The city buildings were a beautiful cream white colour - sublime beauty.