Awaiting the Tourist Season in Mykonos, Greece
The cobalt blue shutters of the hotels and small pensions are being cleaned and painted in anticipation of the blitz of tourists hotly anticipated to arrive on Mykonos. Canvas is being scrubbed and hung as shade against the...
A Last Night in Mykonos
We sleep in as late as possible today, for 2 reasons. First, we indulged last night in our normal Mykonos routine. Second, we are traveling today to Istanbul, where we hook up with the small tour of Turkey that we are taking, and...
Diving Day in Dalyan, Turkey
Saturday, May 15th, 2004: Dalyan, Turkey A free day. Most of the group head for the beach, followed by the mud baths. They collectively decide to take a pass on the ruins – we have all been feeling a bit ruined out, and there are...
Antalya: The Jewel of the Turquoise Coast
Monday, May 17th, 2004: Kas to Antalya, Turkey N 36° E 030° We head today to the jewel in the crown of the Turquoise Coast, the city of Antalya, for a full two days of sightseeing and some downtime. Antalya is a big city nestled...
No Schedule Today Except Updating the Blog and Reading the Herald Tribune
Thursday, May 20th, 2004: Cappadocia, Turkey Yesterday was cool and wet. Today is sunny and, protected from the wind, warm – but we are on the Central Anatolian Plateau, which ranges from 800 to 1,200 metres above sea level, and...
Returning to Istanbul: Dinner Out in Taksim
After our 23+ hour bus ordeal, we arrive at our hotel at 8:30 this morning. We have said goodbye to all of the group except Haluk, and when we arrive it is time to say goodbye to him. Haluk has been a joy to travel with: his...
Up the Bosphorus, Almost to the Black Sea
Wednesday, May 26th, 2004: Istanbul, Turkey At 10:00 we are at the ferry piers along the Golden Horn, the long, narrow bay that bisects the European side of Istanbul into 2 parts, and forms a perfect natural harbour. We have...
Bye Bye Istanbul: Hello Athens
Friday, May 28th, 2004: Istanbul to Athens N 37° E023° Turkey has been wonderful, beautiful, inspiring, angering, frustrating; in other words, all of the things that make a voyage interesting. But all good things must end, and it...
Clubbing with Diplomats in Athens, Greece
Saturday, May 29th, 2004: Athens, Greece We start off with a very low-energy approach to the day – we sleep late and then enjoy a leisurely breakfast, which is, as is normal in Asian and continental European hotels, included in...
Arriving Home After Six Months of Followsummer.com
Sunday, June 6th, 2004: Toronto, Stratford, Ontario N 43° W 080° Southwestern Ontario is lush and green from a cool and wet spring. Our rush hour drive home from the airport takes us through the gentle rolling hills of both...