IZMIR AND KEMERALTI

Izmir is the 3rd largest city in Turkey with the second largest seaport. It has been inhabited since 3000 AD so the area is rich in historical sites. Izmir hosts the cultural international fair in Alsancak every year. The historical site of Ephesus is only 30-35  minutes from the city centre.

A visit to Izmir can not be complete without spending a few hours in the market area of Kemeralti Bazaar in Konak. It is a historic and liveliest part of Izmir with old streets full of shops, work shops, allies, Mosques, places to eat and relax. Kizlaragasi is the place to purchase lovely gifts and beautiful silver jewelery.

Also you get to taste the best Turkish coffee, brewed in its cup on a cole fire in kizlaragasi Hani, prepared in a special way is the great way to sit, relax and let the world go bye.

KUSADASI /AYDIN / TURKEY

The lunar eclipse, taken from my balcony in Kusadasi.

These photos were taken at MILLI PARK, Guzelcamli, near Kusadasi. It's a national park with beautiful beaches, and plenty of picnic areas underneath the pine trees.

This is the sunset, taken on our way home from Milli Park.

EDIRNE AND SELIMIYE MOSQUE

On our travels from England through Europe to Turkey, we stopped at the border town of Edirne where my brother lives with his wife and two sons. We spent delightful 3 days there with lots of historical sites to visit and places of interest to see. The biggest and most magnificent site was SELIMIYE CAMII ( mosque ) which was designed and built some 500 years ago by great arketect MIMAR SINAN. It was his second and the biggest mosque which he built after the AYASOFYA CAMII IN ISTANBUL. 

The train is the museum piece in the grounds of the university which was the first station in Turkey from Bulgaria.

During our stay in Edirne, we had a lovely meal by the riverside restaurant under the palm trees. We had all kids of starters called MEZE then lovely lamb dish which is boiled with some garlic and herbs first then cooked in the wood fire oven with fresh peppers and tomatoes.  The evening was wonderful and it was a great 3 days to remember.