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27th September
· Princess Islands-Buyukada - 10T each for a 1hr 30min voyage. We met some lovely Saudi Arabians whom we spoke with for most of the journey- lovely people (2 women, and 3 men) they paid for our Turkish tea which was just so lovely of them and unexpected. Two of the guys had come over to Turkey to have hair implants- then we noticed other men on the ferry with the same treatment. To start with I thought it was cut into patterns- like the kids back home have- but no it was implants. Our new friends joked about it (two of them spoke very good English - and then translated to the others, which was so inclusive). We walked around the island and could see the attraction on a lovely sunny today, but today wasn't really one of those days. I come from the Thames Coast in NZ, and am used to seeing fisherman with their nets out- repairing etc, and so took a few photos of that local everyday normal life.
· More massive dogs and cats everywhere. The cats just sleep where they like, so we decided the tables might be cleaner in the restaurants that were for tourist on the water edge (no disrespect, but neither of us want to take anything back to England apart from lovely memories, photos and a few little bits lol).
· Peter was just saying the other day that we hadn't really seen any oldly worldly buildings, and then low and behold- we find some. See photos. I have a thing for old things LOL- I can hear a few comments about Peter's age, by some cheeky friends and family- stop it!
· Unfortunately we didn't pick the best place to have lunch- why I hear you ask, well let me tell you…….. Assumption 1: because the sell alcohol, they will be a bit more progressive and treat woman as equals- Assumption 2: When they sound like they understand what you are saying- they know what you want- ha (well they might only be in the ball park). Peter's lunch arrived and looked lovely even if it was a heart attack waiting to happen with the amount of butter on the shrimp (now remember I am a Kiwi, and I LOVE BUTTER on everything). A large bowl of mixed salad- yum and a basket of bread. Olive oil and Balsamic vinegar for dressing or bread- perfect. I ordered a fish cake as I wasn't very hungry, and everything else looked to big. Well Peter had finished his lunch (I insisted he didn't wait for mine to arrive), and was nibbling on bread- my tiny fishcake arrived what seemed like an hour later, and I could be exaggerating so let's say 45 minutes. Peter did question where it was after about 30 minutes and was told it was being cooked (when it arrived it was no bigger than my index finger and probably 2 fingers wide- I tell you no lies. (I did ask Peter if he thought mine was late as I was a woman- the thought had crossed his mind also).
Peter then ordered a Turkish coffee and I wanted some watermelon, same thing coffee arrived in a matter of moments- watermelon arrived after Peter had finished his coffee, and I put my coat on to leave- I was not well pleased I can tell you. So this meal ended up being the most expensive we have had since being here, for the least amount of food. Watermelon arrived on a plate- as we asked for 1 slice- which was cut actually into 5 slices and we could have shared it with our friends off the Ferry if they had been there- blahhhhhhhh.
· We then took another ferry to Bostanci where Peter stayed on business years ago-He had a walk down memory lane- bless him, and found the hotel he had stayed in with ocean views and a few other spots he remembered. We also happen to find an old English pub- so of course I insisted we go in- No I actually did as I was hoping for a toilet that I could actually get some toilet paper and not wet feet. Yes more on the toilet education- I thought I had it sorted, until we got on the ferry this morning and there was no toilet paper, and 2 taps- Oh My Giddy Aunt! My bottom has never been so wet and cold while wearing dry underwear and jeans lol. This lovely experience was after standing in a queue outside the lower deck, waiting for someone to come out of the toilets- and there wasn't anyone in there to start with- AHHHHHHHH. I had asked the woman in front of me if the toilets had people in them, and she gestured to me that they did- WELL she was wrong! So after nearly dying of hyperthermia I decided to risk the dirty looks of whom ever was in there, when they came out to try the door handle- Bingo it opened. I then tapped on the shoulder of the women in front- who was now chatting to another woman- that it was empty and invited her to go in- which she did and then took forever AHHHHHH- Oh the sisterhood, forget it lol. After my nanosecond use of the smelly, wet, two taps so called toilet I tried to open the door to get out, only to find another sister leaning up against it having a cigarette- BINGO I get the dirty look like I was the bother for making her move- WHAT THE! It's a door love- with the sign woman's toilet get out of my way before you find yourself overboard (Its menopause a wonderful thing? You find some with the patience of Mother Teresa (can I say that while being in a Muslim country?), wanting to get physical with a complete stranger. It was a huge laugh for our new friends when I did get back to the table- which was just before we landed LOVE A DUCK.
· Took Private bus to Kadakoy- oh this bit is absolutely brilliant. We were waiting at the bus stop, and then next minute a van pulls up and is beeping his horn- now I am used to this and really don't take any notice, as we are waiting for the bus right? Well this is a private bus if you will- Peter confirmed it was going to the wharf that we wanted and we bundle in- what a crack up, off we go and our driver will take no prisoners weaving in and out of traffic, picking up elderly, school kids who ever, beeping most of the way. It's funny how some words are universal like- FOOTBALL TEAMs and players. The school boy smiled at Peter when he heard Peter say the name of the local team- lovely human connection. I mentioned to Peter today, that Human connection can really make a holiday something more than just being a tourist- we on the whole have had a lovely connection with so many- well Ok Peter has, maybe not me today.
· Took different ferry back to Besiktas- I'm tired and ready to head back to the hotel. Our Ferry isn't for a while, but Bless Peter he suggested we check out the other ferries bigger ones and see what time they were leaving- good call to, as one was just getting ready to depart- so off we go. It's a huge ferry and makes our trip back across from Asia to the Europe side in no time.
· Local bus to hotel- one last public transport ride back to the hotel (Peter did offer for us to take a taxi, but after last night's experience where a driver refused to take us as it was too close (reminds me of my trip to Paris, but that was covered in my last blog)- on the bus we go. Look I have to say the buses - all transport is on time, and VERY regular, and cheap. Well by the end of the honking, beeping, weaving in and out- I am done with having people in my personal space and am looking forward to some time alone. Bless Peter he has gone off for a drink and read his book so I can do my blog and have some time alone- what a treasure he is X
Tonight we are going to go to the local mum and pop restaurant, across the road that we went to on night one. I'm thinking of all our loved ones that are struggling at the moment with health issues, and pray a blessing of healing for you. Thanks for reading, and your lovely comments. PS Rita no I don't think I am up to having any wash me, and remember I am claustrophobic so sauna's and steam rooms fill me with dread lol- But a good massage well that would work
- comments
Brian Hastie Keep calm Deb. You DON'T want to end up in a Turkish Jail if you get physical with one of the locals. It would be a midnight express movie type holiday experience.
Rita Smith Yeh no was kind of joking unless you want big Turkish mamas in their underpants pummelling your muscles... Sounds like you are getting up to quite enough mischief without any extra, keep writing, I love your stories.