Cuzn's come to town: Part II

After missing our flight in Istanbul we were all were lucky to get on the next flight to Izmir.  A few hours later than planned and a few more Lira spent we arrived safe and sound to our apartment in Göztepe. And so begins the next leg of the Turkey travels with the Cuzn's.

We called to confirm our rental van for morning delivery...and Yok (there isn't any). Now vans for 7 are not easy to find here so the rental service scrambles to locate a van- Finally by 1PM the day we planned to hit the road a van is delivered...and a few hours later than planned and a few more Lira spent we are highway bound for a 6 hr. drive south to Fethiye.

If it's not a good time....it's a good story!


It's a beautiful drive through the country with only one close call and 3 missed turns. But not to worry we arrive in Fethiye and the pension is waiting with cool welcoming drinks. We hit the town for a long meal and some late night talva (backgammon).

Today we climb aboard the Funda 2 and cruise the Mediterranean. ALL DAY!!!   This a favorite in the coastal towns and I'll show you why....

Ahhhhhh.....


That evening we ran into 2 of Rena's colleges - of all places- and enjoyed the sunset with good ole' Efes Beers in Ölüdeniz.

The next day we are off to the ghost town of Kayakoy.  This town used to be the home of thousands of Greek-speaking Christians who came to Turkey way back in the 13th century. The town has thousands of Greek houses, 14 chapels and two Greek Orthodox Churches along with some schools.  Each house was built considering its position so as not to obstructed  another houses view.  In 1923, in virtue of a population exchange agreed by the Greek and Turkish governments, the Greeks in Kayakoy were relocated back to Greece in exchange for Turks living in Greece to go back to Turkey. As the Greeks left their village, the Kayakoy Ghost Town was born. We happened to be the only visitors in this museum village today...(living that is-ooooaghhhh).

And in the afternoon we hiked to the Monastary Af Kule before driving to the beach for late afternoon tea.

As the rain started to fall we were heading north back to Izmir  but before heading out of Fethiye we stopped to see the Lycian rock tombs carved back in the Hellenistic period. ~ And let us not forget running out of gas on the highway just outside of Izmir! Once again the Turkish people always amaze me with the hospitality and help! And if it's not a good time....it's a good story!

Now Rena has to get back to work and Mandy departs back the the States. The rest of the Cuz'ns are going to explore Izmir which includes a day at Ephesus.

And taking the Dolmuş up to and overnight in Şerince including many games of tavla and a few bottles of Şerince's wine.

Before heading home we roamed around Selcuk stopping at The Isa Mosque and enjoyed lunch under the storks nests. Now if you are still with me you will learn the greatest way to travel from Selcuk to Göztepe (Izmir). The train runs to Basmane (Izmir). Now simply grab on the metro (subway) to Konak and hop on the passenger ferry directly to Göztepe and who doesn't love ending a trip on a boat ride??

Of course the cuzn's received the Izmir tour including a walk along the bay to the clock tower, Kameralti, the bazaar, ferry rides and beers on the Kordon and much much more...we had a send off dinner at the top of the Alsansor and with tears in our eyes we said our fair wells. You can always count on the cuzn's for keeping the good times rolling!