Turkish Baths

After four hours of drive, we came to Termal in Yalova. This area has been a popular spot since the Byzantium times due to its thermal waters. Ottomans built several Turkish Baths. The oldest one (the one in the picture behind Sibel and I) dates back to 16th century. We spent few hours in this historic Turkish bath yesterday and this morning. To my surprise, kids are actually enjoying the traditional bath experience. I guess it is in their genes.

Finding Melpo

My grandmother (in the picture with my grandfather) was born and grew up in Bozcaada. There is no one else from her family lives here anymore. My grandmother died almost 20 years ago but my mother gave me a name: Melpo. She was my grandmother’s best friend when they were teenagers. I also got another name: Yorgo (no last name). He is supposed to be a local who would know the history.

I was surprised when the owner of our B&B immediately recognized Yorgo and personally took us to his house. Soon after, we were sitting in his living room with him, his wife, and few other family members. Yorgo told us that Melpo was 101, alive, and kicking. She was in Istanbul. Yorgo did not have her phone number but gave us someone else’s who live in the same building with her.

I passed the number to my mother and she already arranged a visit to Melpo next week. It is nice to have a little personal touch to our trip

Kaikias

Our hotel at Bozcaada is a small charming place. They turned couple of old Greek houses into a 10-room bed and breakfast. It is not the most comfortable place to sleep but it is certainly a unique experience.

Bozcaada - Tenedos

After a 30-minute ferry ride, we reached to a small island called Bozcaada (Tenedos). According to the legend, Greek ships hidden behind this island after leaving the Wooden Horse to trick Trojans. Nowadays it is the wine capitol of Turkey with several wineries.

Gallipoli Battles

We had some extra time after visiting Troy. We decided to cross Dardanelles, one of the two water passages separating Europe from Asia (the other one goes through Istanbul). It is a 30-minute ferry ride.

We wanted to visit the memorial site for the Gallipoli battle of World War I. Unfortunately my assumption for the Gallipoli memorial site being in Gallipoli was wrong. After driving an hour on the wrong direction, we decided that we did not have enough time to visit the site before dark. We abandoned the mission and went back to our hotel.

500,000 people died in Gallipoli. It was between Turks and the forces from Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Although we did not visit the memorial site, the sign carved on the face of this hill summarized the bloodiness of the battles. It says: “Stop Visitor. The ground you are stepping on without knowing is where a generation has been lost.”

Troy Pictures

The Wooden Horse - Hollywood Version

And there is the "Brad Pitt" version of the horse used in the movie “Troy” few years ago. It is later donated to Canakkale, a closeby city. We drove 30 minutes from Troy to see the Hollywood version. No climbing on this one :(

The Wooden Horse

There is a replica of the famous Trojan Horse standing on the site to commemorate the legendary war.

Kids had a lot of fun climbing into the horse. That is probably the only think they will remember from Troy.

Walls of Troy

We spent yesterday morning at the historic site of Troy. The first settlement at Troy started in 3500 BC. It was destroyed and rebuilt nine times. It is depicted by Homer in the Iliad.

Here Sibel is walking along the fortification wall.

Stairway to Heaven

I took this picture at 7:30 this morning. It was a chilling yet spectacular morning.

The Village

We are staying in the new village down the hill from the ancient city of Assos. It is a small fishing village turned into a touristic getaway. Kervansaray, our little hotel (thank you Mine for the recommendation) is a charming place. We are the only guess in the hotel. We pretty much have our own maids, cook, waiters, and the doorman.

Assos and F-16s

We came to Assos yesterday. The historic town was founded in 700 BC. Aristotle lived here for few years before moving to Lesbos. Alexander the Great invaded the city in 330 BC. It is located at the top of a hill with a spectacular view of Aegaen Sea and the Greek Isles.

We climbed through the narrow streets between stone houses to reach the ancient site. It was a steep climb but kids did not complain. Again we were the only visitors. The highlight of the visit was five F-16s flying very low over us when standing at the Temple of Athena. They were probably coming back from a “Piss off the Greeks” mission over Aegean.

No Passage

We are staying on a small island off the coast of Turkey called "Cunda". We tried to reach to Patrica, a small Greek village at the tip of the island. But the road is floaded because of high winds.

Devil's Footprint

We visited a mountaintop to see what is believed to be the "Devil's Footprint". It looks more like Shak O'Neal's to me. Regardless, the view of the Aegean Sea and the islands was spectacular.

The Museum

That guy is 2000 years old. I guess there is no alarm in this museum !!!

Parking Lot with a View

A bity scary and it costs $2 but it is probably the parking lot with the best view. I had to check my gear five times to make sure it is on "reverse" before backing up.

Pergamon

Pergamon (Bergama) used the be the capitol of Kingdom of Pergamon around 300 BC. It joined Rome around 130 BC.

Weather is cooporating well. It rained a bit in the morning but still it is like a typical June day in Seattle :)

Tumbstone

Girls dancing with a tumbstone from Ottaman era. Not the reaction I was expecting when I told them what that was..

Red Basilica - Pictures

Red Basilica

We visited the Red Basilica yesterday. This is also one of the seven churches described in the Book of Revelation. It is impresive. We were the only visitors due to the season. Kids were so noisy that I am sure we disturbed some spirits.

Faustina

Here is Sibel in front of the Faustina Gate of the Smyrna Agora. Faustina is the wife of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius who helped to rebuild the city after a major earthquake.

Legand says that Alexander the Great parked his chariot on the second floor of the parking garage behind.

Smyrna Agora

We visited the Agora and the Basilica in Smyrna. Most of the remains are from 3rd century BC but includes new additions from 2nd century AD.

The basilica is one of the seven churches of Asia Minor mentioned in the Bible. Although there is not much left of it.