We had been meaning to go to Turkey for many years (I'm talking decades). It finally came together last minute when I booked a villa in Selimiye on the Bozburun Peninsular. http://www.premiumturkishvillas.co.uk/accommodation/villagelincik
The photos on the website do not do this place justice. It's a beautiful villa, well considered and everything is provided including plenty of tea light candles to create your own light effect against that blue black sky.
We've lived in Dubai for almost 6 years but rarely hear the call to prayer. On an early morning run I hear it depending on the daylight hour but it's a rare event. I did not realise how many Mosques would be in Turkey. Might sound a little dim but I really just didn't think of it. I admit I'm not looking out for Mosques when I travel and an advance notice might just have put me off HOWEVER, in this instance it added to my experience. This is a country, from my observance. of humility,
tradition and today. It's an eclectic hedonistic mix which is very powerful. It threw me off balance and I have to say Turkey was an eye opener. A beautiful ensemble of religion and cuisine, tradition and modernity. Quite something.
The call to prayer is so wistful as opposed to the harsh bell of the Christian church (sorry but those Christian bells in small villages when your bed seems to lie next/under it is pretty loud for light sleepers!). The call to prayer is a lovely sound that does not intrude, it makes one rather inclined to relax and listen. Well me, anyway.
The food in Turkey is complex. A heady mix of spice, fish, shellfish, lamb, goat, all cooked to perfection depending on the cut and protein and village/area to showcase it's distinction. The high use of dried herb in amongst the fresh, the zesty peppery paprika, the sweet SWEET onions and tomatoes (the onions so sweet I can eat them raw and I never eat raw onion - these simply are beautiful and do not destroy one's palate). I am getting more and more intrigued with Middle Eastern cooking and it covers a massive expanse of continents and ingredients. I defy a person interested in cooking to not deeply delve into the aromas, spices and palate deliciousness of truly balanced dishes from the far ranging spheres that the entire Mid East has to offer. It covers southern France and Spain along with the more obvious regions of Turkey, Lebanon, the Gulf ... it's hugely expansive.
Yes we enjoyed our foray into Turkey. We completely fell in love with the crazy city of Istanbul and I think the main reason is because of the area we stayed in (The House Hotel Vault Karakoy). Karakoy is arty, young and has really great bars and coffee houses. The hotel was close enough to the Bospherus that we enjoyed an incredible night at Ali Ocakbasi and Lokanta Maya which were both superb. Different, Ali Ocakbasi was more traditional and Lokanta Maya was more modern. Both fresh, perfectly balanced with the spice and zest that Turkish cuisine is renowned.
We will return to Turkey. I sussed out a run on our return taxi trip to the airport so next time I can run easily in Istanbul (for runners, from the Europe side of Galata bridge, cross the bridge in the underpass and turn left, continue for a km and the waterfront will appear and continue, no chance of getting lost! It's a crazy city you need a plan if you are running!!).
I'll post pictures later.
The photos on the website do not do this place justice. It's a beautiful villa, well considered and everything is provided including plenty of tea light candles to create your own light effect against that blue black sky.
We've lived in Dubai for almost 6 years but rarely hear the call to prayer. On an early morning run I hear it depending on the daylight hour but it's a rare event. I did not realise how many Mosques would be in Turkey. Might sound a little dim but I really just didn't think of it. I admit I'm not looking out for Mosques when I travel and an advance notice might just have put me off HOWEVER, in this instance it added to my experience. This is a country, from my observance. of humility,
tradition and today. It's an eclectic hedonistic mix which is very powerful. It threw me off balance and I have to say Turkey was an eye opener. A beautiful ensemble of religion and cuisine, tradition and modernity. Quite something.
The call to prayer is so wistful as opposed to the harsh bell of the Christian church (sorry but those Christian bells in small villages when your bed seems to lie next/under it is pretty loud for light sleepers!). The call to prayer is a lovely sound that does not intrude, it makes one rather inclined to relax and listen. Well me, anyway.
The food in Turkey is complex. A heady mix of spice, fish, shellfish, lamb, goat, all cooked to perfection depending on the cut and protein and village/area to showcase it's distinction. The high use of dried herb in amongst the fresh, the zesty peppery paprika, the sweet SWEET onions and tomatoes (the onions so sweet I can eat them raw and I never eat raw onion - these simply are beautiful and do not destroy one's palate). I am getting more and more intrigued with Middle Eastern cooking and it covers a massive expanse of continents and ingredients. I defy a person interested in cooking to not deeply delve into the aromas, spices and palate deliciousness of truly balanced dishes from the far ranging spheres that the entire Mid East has to offer. It covers southern France and Spain along with the more obvious regions of Turkey, Lebanon, the Gulf ... it's hugely expansive.
Yes we enjoyed our foray into Turkey. We completely fell in love with the crazy city of Istanbul and I think the main reason is because of the area we stayed in (The House Hotel Vault Karakoy). Karakoy is arty, young and has really great bars and coffee houses. The hotel was close enough to the Bospherus that we enjoyed an incredible night at Ali Ocakbasi and Lokanta Maya which were both superb. Different, Ali Ocakbasi was more traditional and Lokanta Maya was more modern. Both fresh, perfectly balanced with the spice and zest that Turkish cuisine is renowned.
We will return to Turkey. I sussed out a run on our return taxi trip to the airport so next time I can run easily in Istanbul (for runners, from the Europe side of Galata bridge, cross the bridge in the underpass and turn left, continue for a km and the waterfront will appear and continue, no chance of getting lost! It's a crazy city you need a plan if you are running!!).
I'll post pictures later.
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