Monday, August 31, 2015

Our final day

We can only find one LandVest hat.

So, we shared.

A panoramic from our Terrace

This is a note someone wrote for us while we were in Asia looking for the local fresh air market.  He first wrote the name of the market and below it he wrote "Please help them."  Too funny.

Leaving the city walls.

The Istanbul airport - what a free-for-all.

Our layover room in Copenhagen

Our "Welcome Home" feast with the family.  So nice to be home.

Helen's gone & We were played

Helen's 2am entourage for her airport delivery (as viewed from our Terrace).

Totally played by the young man on the left - that's a story for over a drink!

Partial excavation of the Hippodrome - amazing!

The English translations were oft less than impressive.

These doors were really incredible.

Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art with the Blue Mosque in the background.

Packing for tomorrow night's departure.

Outside the Grand Bazaar - selling used (read stolen) phones everywhere.

Jumping on the Marmaray underwater public tram (-9 levels below ground).  Comes out in Asia

Friday, August 28, 2015

Prince's Islands

It rained on the way over and at the start of breakfast.  Then it was gorgeous the whole day!

The fast ferry we took to get to the island on which we breakfasted.

There were dogs everywhere!

They seemed to get along well.

One of them decided to adopt us while we were on the island.

Our restaurant was closed (island time), so we thought of eating here.  Our dog came with us.

And, stayed with us while we decided.

He attached himself most especially to Kevin.

I don't think he has an easy life (note scar along the side of his body).

Happy to sleep at Kevin's feet.

When we moved, he came with us.

Whenever we stopped, he took a break.

Sometimes he showed us the way like he knew where we wanted to go.

Watching for Kevin as he loads our transit card.

He sure was sweet.

He came with us to wait for the ferry to the bigger island.

The slow ferry that we were taking to the bigger island and then back to Europe.

He even came out to the pier with us (right through the turnstyles).

As far as he can go before we board.

At the top of one of the hills around the island.

There were sooooo many horse and carriages (No cars on the island).

Walking our rentals up to the old monastery from pre-Ottoman era

Kevin insisted on walking my bike up for probably 1/2 of the hike up (yes, I had to run ahead to get this shot).

Made it easier for me to snap photos.

The view along the way up.

Resting at the monastery at the top.  It's an active church.

That is not a shadow around my hair.  That is sweat.

On the ferry back to the mainland.  Can you ID those feet?

On of the smaller islands that we did not visit.  There are 9 total Prince's Islands.

A sailing regatta on the way back.

Dinner

Looking at an archeological dig site from dinner.

View from dinner with a destroyer in the picture.

Another beautiful view.

Too many smokers put Helen off her feed.

A panoramic of our dinner view.