Çeşme

 I’ve been on sail boats before, but never just for the sake of it. That all changed thanks to my Izmir friends and their love of sailing. We spent a day on their boat, heading from Çeşme to the bay of a nearby “goat island” (the goats weren’t home) and back. Now I’m a fan.

I’m not so much a fan of this Mediterranean sojourn coming to an end, but that’s what’s happening! I will see you back here this summer and wish you sunny skies till then!

Izmir

Turkey’s second largest city is so lovely, and not just because it is home to a long-time friend I hadn’t seen in a quarter-century and was so, so happy to see again.

Istanbul

Twenty-five years since I was last in this magical city, and it’s beautiful as ever!

The most famous horse

 All the iterations of ancient Troy have mostly been lost to time, earthquakes, and looting…but still surreal to be there and check out the modern city of Çanakkale. 

Hit the Turkish coast

Kuşadasi and the ruins of Ephesus: Two thumbs up!