Where in Heaven is Mozart?
April 16, 2008

This is our little "Mozart" and she is 18
months into a multi year, open ended trip
around the world, we started when she was 5.

Kalehan, Kindred Spirits!
August 8, 2007

A Turkish boy from Italy, a French girl, a half Egyptian-half German
homeschooled boy, a Danish family and more made a little girl
from California’s stay in Selcuk very special.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis
August 6, 2007

“Swimming with the Gods” is how my friend Tom described the
Sacred Pool used by ancient kings and emperors 2000 years ago, so we
were looking forward to experience this unique World Heritage Site

Hugging Aphrodite!
August 4, 2007

8000 years ago the first settlers arrived in Aphrodisias, and today it
is the best-preserved Hellenistic civilization example in Turkey.
Aphrodite is the beautiful Goddess of love in the Greek myths

Ephesus Museum in Selcuk
August 2, 2007

A tiny ivory frieze with incredible detail was one of many priceless
and mind blowing treasures in this museum, which is one of the best
in Turkey, with a wealth of archeological artifacts

St.John & Virgin Mary
August 1, 2007

Christ’s disciple, John the Beloved, has always been a favorite of
mine and his words about love, so I was interested in seeing the
basilica where his tomb was which had been a very
popular sacred pilgrimage

Ephesus! Stellar Ruins
July 31, 2007

We timed it so we were the first in the gate and had it all to ourselves
for a little while on a cool brilliant morning in late July. I would never
have believed we would have such good luck

Sirince Charms
July 30, 2007

As we walked up the cobbled street, we looked over tiled roofs at the
surrounding vineyards and apple orchards of the ancient village of Sirince.
It is just 8 km from Selcuk,

Selcuk Serenity
July 29, 2007

Just below Selcuk’s 6th century castle and St. John’s Basilica, and
within walking distance to Ephesus, the antique Hotel Kalehan
(www.kalehan.com) provides the fantasy of living in an Ottoman villa

Ancient Pergamum
July 28, 2007

Ancient Pergamum dates back to the 12th century BC, has a connection
to Alexander the Great and Lydian King Croesus, but most of the
extraordinary monuments and buildings date to the period
it most flourished

Homer's Troy
July 27, 2007

As a lover of Homer’s stories from the “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, and
a six year old with the current obsession of being an archeologist,
Mozart was not about to miss seeing Troy and the famous Trojan

Bus On Ferry To Canakkale
July 25, 2007

Taking a fancy Turkish bus onto a small ferry has to be the strangest
transportation method that we have taken on our round-the-world trip
so far! I could not believe it when the bus boarded the ferry with all of us

Ayasofya & Grand Bazarre
July 24, 2007

For 1000 years, Ayasofya was Christendom’s largest church and
triumphant symbol of Byzantium and is so large that the Statue
of Liberty would easily fit inside with the top of the torch not
grazing the domed

Topaki Palace & Blue Mosque
July 23, 2007

We did not see these on the same day, but I am trying to consolidate a
little more for the blog as we are already in Croatia and I am still
struggling to get the Turkey trip up as well as the rest of Greece.

Orient Express To Istanbul
July 22, 2007

We got snuggled into our large and brand new sleeping cabin as our
train chugged towards Istanbul from Ankara. Our soul traveling gang
adds another new method of travel on our round the world trip

Esbelli Evi
July 21, 2007

I had heard raves about Esbelli Evi from many sources and that it sets
the standard for cave dwellings in Cappadocia, Fodors, Frommers,
Slowtravel and more all have ecstatic reviews.

Making Pottery In A Cave
July 20, 2007

The wet clay spun thru Mozart’s fingers in a pottery tradition that dates
back to Hittite times in this area!  We had entered a long, dark, huge
cave in Avanos and met a man who spoke excellent English

Frescoes & Underground City
July 19, 2007

Four thousand year old huge, Hittite underground cities with
sophisticated kitchens, winery, stables and more, that housed sixty
thousand people for six months at a time or more are yet another
fantastic site

Moon Walk
July 18, 2007

The landscape in Cappadocia, Turkey is like nothing else on the planet
and took our breath away! Created over sixty million years ago by
volcanic activity and erosion to an extreme extent,

Cappadocia Cave Home
July 17, 2007

The profusion of bright pink Hollyhocks and a Cherry tree overflowing
with perfectly ripe cherries under the bright blue sky, caught my eye as
we walked up the stone stairs to our cave home for the next few days at

Turkey Tree Houses
July 16, 2007

Wild thyme, mint and bay fill the air beneath dazzling mountains as
one approaches Olympos which is a rustic national park on a stunning
beach that is popular with backpackers from around the world

Mediterranean Dreams
July 15, 2007

The kaleidoscope of images from our Blue Voyage float through my
mind like a dream. I was intrigued that the ancient names of two of
our favorite spots mean “Land of the Great Mother”

Turkish Delights!
July 14, 2007

Lyceum rock cut tombs, sunken cities, roman baths, Saint Nicolas,
Butterfly Valley, small fishing villages accessible only by boat....
the incredible sights seen on a” Blue Voyage” in Turkey are too

Saltwater Swimming!
July 13, 2007

Jumping off the sailboat into the extra buoyant, very salty sea is
part of the joy of a “Blue Cruise” and done many times during
each day at innumerable stunning and pristine private stops.

Sailing Away!
July 12, 2007

The turquoise water, cool breezes, gorgeous scenery, breath-taking
sunsets and ancient sights make Turkey’s mediterranean coast one of
the best places for “champagne sailing”.

What's A Gulet?
July 11, 2007

No, I am not talking esophagus, nor am I missing a double letter.
They may sound identical but the English word “gullet” is much
different than the Turkish word “gulet”.

Turkey's Turquoise Coast
July 10, 2007

Fethiye stands on the site of ancient Telemessos which was a large port and famous for its myths, seers and sages. It was a member of the Lycian Federation and in mythology it took its name from the son