Thursday, February 12, 2015

A day in Antalya

Françoise, Evelyn, Karen
Today, my usual Senior Trailblazer hiking day, was spent hiking around the town of Antalya. Since the meeting is being held in a hotel far from the town (a half an hour) and on the Mediterranean away from everything, I had not seen any of the local environs, but today I was joined by three others to have an excursion in town. Evelyn's husband, Claudio, who is with the WMO who sponsored the conference, found a car and driver and gave us a chance to have a wonderful day, getting to know each other as well as the town. Mickey said go ahead and go, so I didn't ask twice. Karen (Mickey's wife) and I have known each other for ages, but the other two are now fast friends as well.
A street in Old Town
We have the most incredible weather today, after two days of rain and wind, reminding me of home! But today dawned clear and cold, and the weather just got warmer and warmer all day long. Just perfect with a light jacket. The streets were pretty clear early on, but as it grew later, we saw more and more people. The shop owners were mostly friendly and not too pushy since it's the off season and we were obviously out to shop. There were a couple annoying ones, but otherwise we made new friends!
One of our new friends
We promised this gentleman with a silver shop that we would stop by before returning to the hotel, and we did, but when this picture was taken it was still early in the day. We wandered in and out of many of the shops in Old Town, visited an ancient mosque that was originally built in the 2nd century. It is now just a pile of old stones that I had to peer at through a fence. As we got hungry, we looked for a place that had been recommended, the Castle Hotel and Restaurant on the water.
Our table, with Karen sending a picture to Mickey
It was everything we had hoped for. We sat in the sun, feeling a nice gentle breeze off the water and enjoyed the view. We also learned that there are many feral cats in Old Town, and they obviously knew their way around. In fact, the owners of the hotel have created some nice little catwalks for them.
Cat snoozing over the water
Being fond of cats, this didn't bother me at all, as they rubbed against my legs as we ate a fantastic lunch. Karen ordered some kind of fish, but Françoise and I ordered grilled vegetables that were wonderful. Thinking of my blogging friends who asked for food pictures, I took a picture, trying to show the amazing view as well.
My grilled vegetables in a fantastic setting
After lunch, we wandered more around town, knowing we only had a couple of hours, and went into a tea shop. They have all these piles of different teas, and as soon as we walked in, the proprietor made us up some samples, knowing that we wouldn't be able to resist.
I ended up getting a Sultan and eucalyptus tea blend
When he held up the fresh tea under my nose, it immediately gave me a rush. I found out that it is because it had a great deal of eucalyptus in it. Oh my! I couldn't help from buying it. I will be drinking it for a long time to come. And then, before I knew it, we had to make our way back to the spot where we would be picked up by our driver. We went back to the silver shop, meeting our new friend Aytekin, while making promises to see each other again. I took this selfie of myself so I could be included in the day's pictures.
In the mirror, my selfie
There was only one thing I didn't buy that I wished I had: an Eye of Fatima charm. I intend to get one tomorrow, and the story of the Eye is that when you wear it, you are protected from harm. I figured it's not a bad thing to have.
The Eye of Fatima earrings
Everywhere you look in the shops, you see these things: key chains, bracelets, necklaces, you name it. I remember seeing them in Macedonia years ago, but I think this time I'm going to indulge in a few of them. They would make great gifts, don't you think?
:-)

34 comments:

  1. What gorgeous jewelry, food, and scenery! I just love your photos. What a pleasant time you are having. Wish I were there, too.

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  2. Oh yes! Get the eye. My daughter got quite a kick out of it and we gave a small one last year to our granddaughter. I'm so glad you're having such a great time, DJan! The grilled veggies and tea sound fabulous.

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  3. glad you had a great day out! and sunshine and new friends, too. :) the tea sounds like a good one!

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  4. That sounds like an interesting day and again the food looks very appetising. Sweet little puss sleeping. I'm glad you're having such a fascinating time and that the weather has cheered up.

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  5. Sounds like a perfect day, great weather, good friends old and new, exploring new environs. Enjoy the rest of your trip too.

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  6. What a great day and a great post. I love that street with the little blue tables and red chairs.. so much charm. And the view you had for lunch.. amazing. How much of Karen's fish went to the kitties? :) Beautiful spot.. fabulous photos.

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  7. I know my girls would appreciate a pretty bauble from a trip I've taken, so I think you are wise to pick some up for gifts. Your day looks really beautiful, and the pictures tell the story.

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  8. What a beautiful view for lunch, it looks warm there and sun shine...nice to know the cats are welcome they must hep with rodent populations:)

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  9. So glad you got some walking in on your usual hiking day. Don't want your suffering from withdrawal:))
    The cats would have charmed me and I would have shared my lunch with them.
    All in all, a perfect day. Hope the weather holds for you.

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  10. You make friends where ever you go! Definitely, buy those earrings! For yourself too!

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  11. Sounds like you're having a good time!

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  12. You sound very excited and I'll bet you're having a good time. It's a completely different style of life.

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  13. Lots of feral cats in Istanbul also. Fun to watch them.

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  14. What a wonderful day! The food and scenery look wonderful. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

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  15. We found feral cats on all of our Mediterranean ports of call. They are charming, and in most places we saw locals feeding them.
    I have an "eye" on a bell ornament I bought in Santorini. It brought us good luck there, sunshine and an end to the thunder storms for a while.

    Keep on having fun, and showing us that fun!

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  16. My husband and I visited Antalya years ago, and you took some great photos. I have a bracelet made of the protective blue beads. The selection of teas you show is amazing.

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  17. What a wonderful adventure! The beads are lovely and a great story. Be safe and have fun!

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  18. A safe haven for feral cats - how cool is that. I love the photo of the "cat nap". What a lovely view along with your lunch. The dish of grilled veggies looks so appetizing. Don't forget to go back and pick up that "Eye Of Fatima" - sounds like a good charm. Have fun on the rest of your trip. cheers

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  19. Fun to have the town almost to yourself.

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  20. Hi DJan, I'm sure enjoying your trip pictures! Neat selfie in the mirror! That photo at the restaurant with water and mountain view is making me requiring me to reset my mental image of Turkey. Enjoy the remainder of your trip! John

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    1. Got too many words in there but you'll know what I meant. :-) By the way, if you publish Eye on schedule ... according to the clock where you are ... we will be able to read it Saturday evening ... I think that would be a first, wouldn't it? :-)

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  21. oh my, that cat lives dangerously...lol....
    glad you got a break in the weather and could enjoy town a bit....
    envious of your adventure...

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  22. Feral cats that come and rub on your legs! (You know that stood out for me.) That was the icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned. What views!! The food looked delicious, too. The shops--wow! What a great time you are having. *smiling ear to ear*

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  23. This day sounded just perfect in every single way. The weather, the company, the setting, the companions were all perfect. Buy yourself a charm. It will be a great reminder of this this time.

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  24. I had to look up Antalya on google maps ... looks fantastic! Glad you're having a good time, and getting some walking in.

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  25. How lovely that you got to spend a day exploring Antalya! It's one of the things I have hardest dealing with my work trips, when I don't get to visit the city I'm in but can only go from hotel to university and back!

    Sounds like you had a fabulous day! And something tells me plenty of gifts are in your suitcase! ;o)

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  26. I enjoyed this fun day out of yours.. It's beautiful there!!

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  27. DJan, I'm just now catching up on your trip, it looks like you are having a grand time, lots of fantastic food, and meeting new friends !
    The most perfect azure blue Mediterranean water, what a beautiful backdrop to your lunch !
    Buy a souvenir or two, you'll surely want the reminders of a magical trip.
    Safe travels my dear friend.
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  28. Wow what a super adventure. We have one eye but our's is a wall nount and came from Morocco.

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  29. Thinking I want some of that tea. How did you ever choose which one to try?

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  30. Great photography and interesting read.
    Congratulations on your POTW award . . :)

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  31. Oh, I wish I had been there! Congrats on your POTW! You deserve it.

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