We are in Alanya and it is an amazing place. Tiny but full of history and charm. The locals are really friendly, and go out of their way to help you
with whatever you may need.
For some reason, I am not able to downsize/post any of my photos. Such a shame because I have so many!
Many stories to tell:
At the airport in Warsaw, we had to sign up with the Turkish government agency to register for covid purposes. Took almost an hour. Thankfully, did
not have to test for covid since we are vaccinated. At the last minute, Les had to pay some fee. Since it was close to boarding time, a bit
stressful to say the least! There was a 3rd document we needed that I have simply erased from my memory.
Once on the plane, we had a space between us, nice. We were at the emergency exit seats, no problem there and extra leg room.
We arrived in Antalya and we had a car reserved, found our guy quickly, signed paperwork on the hood of the car, he showed us the gas station to fill
up with diesel and it is a straight shot to Alanya from there. I should mention that in Poland we got spoiled since pedestrians have the right of
way. Not so here and I came so close to being run over as we walked from the airport to the rental car. Jeez, I almost got hit!
From Antalya to Alanya, there are so many hotels a la Las Vegas style. Huge, fancy, exquisite architecture and they line the way for miles and miles.
Once in Alanya, we were hungry so we found a spot and parked. No charge. Found a restaurant called Eko's place and ate kebab and shish kebab. Both
of us were so happy with our meals...different spices, so delicious. I should note that he advertised tex-mex food and a frozen margarita. I should
have skipped the margarita, it left a lot to be desired but it was so fancy!
We made friends with Eko (the owner) and before our food was served, he rushed Les in his car to get us cell phone chips so we are able to call and
have fast speed cell phone internet.
Then we came to our friend's apartment which is way up and I mean WAY UP a hill with a spectacular view of the city! Marble floors, two bedrm two
bath, just so perfect!
Today we visited the port and the beach and had a siesta and went out to dinner. There are so few tourists but the Turks do love to go out with their
families and friends! The place we went to tonight was quite busy and the food great.
I have asked to be P-nched. I can hardly believe it is so beautiful. Such a shame that I cannot post photos. I have to figure out a way around this
issue!David K - 6-17-2021 at 01:10 PM
Blanca, email the photos to me and I will post them for you! You can use my personal email or my website email (info*at*vivabaja.com).BajaBlanca - 6-17-2021 at 01:14 PM
Great!
Blanca's photos:
David K - 6-17-2021 at 03:20 PM
I will add numbers to each so she can add a reply saying something about each one...
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Blanca sent six more photos!
David K - 6-17-2021 at 03:28 PM
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
SFandH - 6-17-2021 at 05:58 PM
Blanca, any early Ottoman Empire mosques in the area? If so, I would want to check them out. Some are the most beautiful buildings. Can you hear the
Islam call to prayer during the day? BajaBlanca - 6-17-2021 at 08:46 PM
Hahahaha Not one photo shows up on my screen DANG
Yes, the first night we jumped out of our skin at 4:30 am when the prayers started. They do not last very long but it was disturbing. I thought then
that we might not last long....the owner of the apartment said that one gets used to it. Guess what? I did not even hear them early today!
It is bright as day at 4 am.
One set of photos shows the souvenir shop we went to. I like those shops because they give you a glimpse into what is traditional. The designs of
the coasters, they love cats, hookuhs! There is also a photo of the view from our apartment.
Can someone remind me what the 2nd set shows? I deleted the email once I sent it.
David K - 6-18-2021 at 09:36 AM
A) Tera's Cafe Restaurant entrance
B) A tree with gourds hanging from it
C) Tables along the widows, and Les from behind
D) Food platter, chicken(?) & rice
E) Food platter, burger patties, grilled slice of tomato
F) View of city below, a hill, the sea, just after sundown. BajaBlanca - 6-18-2021 at 10:29 PM
Yup, Les ate chicken that evening.
The Teras cafe is so close to us but they do not serve alcohol, so I don't imagine we shall return LOL It is ever so beautiful, the view is stunning.
SF H - the calls to prayer start at 4:30 am. The first dawn we were shocked. The 2nd dawn, I must have been exhausted because I slept right thru it!
Last night or this morning, I lay awake waiting for it to start. Oh my goshhhhhh So loud! Does anyone know if one has to get up and actually pray
when they call?
Thanks again David!David K - 6-19-2021 at 09:21 AM
You are welcome!
I see you sent more photos last night, so I will get them posted later today as we have some stuff to get done in a few minutes.
Photos of Yeni Camii mosque in Alanya [from Blanca]
David K - 6-19-2021 at 01:16 PM
HI David, here are some photos of Yeni Camii mosque in Alanya.
Hello all, thanks to David K, here are some photos of the Yeni Camii mosque, near the cable cars which we will go on today. The top part of the
mosque is only for women during services. The bottom part is for the men. A very friendly gentleman took us around.
It is a small but very pretty mosque. I thought it was the oldest but I obviously was mistaken! The search is still on. Enjoy the photos and thanks
David!
More from Baja Blanca in Turkey
David K - 6-19-2021 at 01:20 PM
Yesterday we went to the Friday market which is one of the largest farmer's markets on the planet, surely! Fruits and veggies of all sizes and colors
and many spices. Maybe one other tourist besides us, all locals haggling over prices!
The second to last photo is a water fountain, right outside the market and I saw a gentleman using it.
I understand Europe is going thru a heat wave but although it is hot down by the water, it is actually cool and breezy up top the mountain where we
are. There is a pool and I haven't been able to go in it yet.
The last photo is of the simply stunning view we wake up to every day!
[Edited on 6-19-2021 by David K]Howard - 6-19-2021 at 01:21 PM
Nice to see Les dressed up for the occasion.
You look marvelous.
[Edited on 6-19-2021 by Howard]John Harper - 6-19-2021 at 02:16 PM
Wow, absolutely spectacular. The food, the mosque, the markets, all just fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
JohnBajaBlanca - 6-21-2021 at 07:24 AM
I cannot tell you how bizarre it is to see the writing with no pics from my end! I know they are there since some of you are commenting but I see
nada zippo zilch.
We are having a blast! Today we explored beaches and found a bakery with traditional bread from the Black Sea area.
Wednesday we go to Konya to see the whirling dervishes.
Sometime in the future we will visit Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
Every morning I go walking while Les sits and waits, then I go for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea which is positively, absolutely the most perfect
temperature with soft sand and no currents. Our apartment has a million dollar view and only 1 other neighbor in a 24 unit complex. It has a pool
which I haven't even gone into and a stove that is so advanced we cannot figure it out - and Les is an engineer.
As long as David is willing, I will continue sending updates. I highly recommend Istanbul which we went to 2 years ago for history etc.
Alanya has boats, para sailing, jet skis, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, biking, fishing, mountains, and did I mention the BEACH? Soft sand, not too
far to walk to reach the water and the temp of the water right now is just right. Tons of kiosks and restaurants on the boardwalk and the people love
cats, so they build "cat houses" for everyone to feed and give them water. The cats have fleas but they are loved.David K - 6-21-2021 at 08:52 AM
Your new email with photos arrived and I will get them up today. Odd that Postimages pics aren't showing for you? Thanks for the captions in the new
email. I will put them with each photo.BajaBlanca - 6-21-2021 at 09:37 AM
It is so weird to see writing with no photo.SFandH - 6-21-2021 at 09:42 AM
This morning we went driving down the coast and happened upon a bakery. They make a special bread
This sign says the bread is a world classic and the bottom part of it is the name of this bread which originally comes from the Black Sea area. The
kid who helped us spoke English so well.
The second photo is the mixer. It is huge! I had a commercial bakery once and my mixer was deeper rather than so wide.
This third photo is the oven that fits 100 loaves at a time.
These are the loaves that had just come out of the oven. We bought some for ourselves and for our 2 neighbors.
A close up of the loaves
Wednesday from Turkey...
David K - 6-23-2021 at 08:24 AM
Baja Blanca: Here are some photos of the road to Konya from Alanya
The first 2 photos show some hammocks and very popular ceramics for sale by the side of the road.
The 3rd, as far as I can tell, warns of wild boar.
The next is about cows and this whole area was miles of farmland.
Photo 6 is of a special coffee making machine or perhaps Chai? Saw many of these by the side of the road and some even for sale.
[NOTE: I emailed Blanca for some clarification on this image]
Photo 7 is of a mosque... we saw many of these along the road.
Another email with more photos just arrived...
Wednesday from Turkey... Part 2
David K - 6-23-2021 at 08:29 AM
"These are photos from the 1st moments in Konya where we have come to see the whirling dervishes dance tomorrow. It is not a tourist spot, almost no
one speaks English but they are ever so friendly, absurdly friendly. We had a meal that was delicious (no pic) and cost us $7 for a full chicken
kebab meal each with a big salad for two. No alcohol! The first photo was a guy carrying Persian carpets... do not know why?"
BajaBlanca - 6-23-2021 at 12:20 PM
Clarification David asked for: In the bottom middle of the photo is a pot with smoke rising. I tried to get a better photo but this was the best I
could do. These stoves are on the side of the roads with signs for chai tea.
Clarification David asked for: In the bottom middle of the photo is a pot with smoke rising. I tried to get a better photo but this was the best I
could do. These stoves are on the side of the roads with signs for chai tea.
Thanks, now I can see that the light pole (cell tower?) is behind the stove some distance. I saw them blended and wondered what to look for!
