Turkish Dishes: Ayvalik Tostu (Toast)

It's a popular toast from Ayvalik - Ayvalik Tostu. For a tourist like me, it's really nothing special. It's a sandwich in a special bread using special hotdogs, chili, cheese and mayonnaise - that's what it is for me. But for the locals, the taste is amazing compared to the normal toasts they make at their home. I am smartly deducting that theory because Turkish don't really like eating out much. But since we had to travel to an island (Ayvalik) to eat this toast, then it must be really special. 

For those of you who are running out of idea on what to pack for lunch for the school kids, this is something new and easy to prepare: special hotdogs, chili, cheese (try mozzarella because it melts) and mayonnaise). Don't forget to toast the bread though - duh, Ayvalik toast! 

Enjoy! 

Ayvalik Tostu - toast from Ayvalik!

It's a big serving of bread!

Alvalik Tostu + Ayran is a good combination apparently

It's not that I didn't like it - I just find it ordinary. The kids loved the toasts and devoured it like crazy or probably they were just starved so much! Ha, mean I am not!

Ayvalik, on the other hand, has some spectacular sights to see!


Afiyet Olsun!

Exploring Turkey: Hasan Boguldu

It's almost perfect to have picnic in most of the places in Turkey. We went to Hasan Boguldu this time of the year and the weather was blissful for a picnic. We definitely had a great time outside exploring nature! 

And there's more to Hasan Boguldu than a nature park and picnic area. There's a legend behind the place and the name. And we love stories! Chatting to kids about the name of the place and the story that happened way back makes it more interesting. Eating outside, our feet enjoying the flowing cold water, cool breeze blowing, trees are humming, clear sky highlighting the perfect scenario! Trees, stream, we were almost one with nature. A good memory to cherish especially when we will burn in extreme heat in the dessert for this summer. Figuratively, of course. 

How lucky we were that as children we were able to play with trees, swim in stream without even an entrance fee! Those were the great times being a kid. 

Anyway, back to Hasan Boguldu's story. Hasan is a very romantic man. Hasn Boguldu literray mean     "Hasan drowned."He fell in love with a woman who lived up in the mountain. Back then, they discriminate locals living from the lowland. People from the mountain thinks that men from that area were not good enough, not strong enough. The woman and the woman's family wanted him to prove himself and his strength by carrying a sack of salt from the lowland to the mountain. He carried it until he reached the waterfalls. He realized that he could not carry the sack anymore s he threw himself to the waterfalls because of shame. His body was found and the waterfalls was given the name "Hasan Boguldu." 

Lesson of the story? Well, apparently it is true - lowland men are not strong enough. Haha! I know there are several versions to this story but that is the one we know for now. 

Well, the water from the area is really fresh to drink! We didn't get a chance to swim but it looked refreshing. We had a nice time enjoying nature in Hasan Boguldu. We are hoping that the kids will remember the memories. We might be coming back in Hasan Boguldu anyways in the near future, who knows. 

Entrance to the picnic area!

There is also a trekking up the mountain!

BBQ station!

The place is a bit "commercialized" too as there are vendors selling stuff which could have easily been forgotten for picnic such as spices, fruits - of course we didn't forget anything as the grandparents are really so organized!

the hanging bridge close to the falls!

the falls!

FIRE! Let's BBQ! 

What an extremely peaceful place! 

A typical picnic table - awesome, right? 

It was a great experience and definitely a summer to remember for the Turknoys! Good times!

Keep exploring!

Exploring Turkey: Adatepe Village

After enjoying the view from Altar of Zeus, we went to explore Adatepe Village. Adatepe is a small village with beautiful stone houses. For many years, Turks and Greeks have been living together since "mubadele," or Greek-Turkish migrations. The village is now considered historical site.

The village got more popular after  a couple of movies and Turkish drama or "soap operas". The houses(villas) are a bit expensive when you compare with the modern flats prices in Istanbul.

The current mosque was built during Seljuks time.

In history (and in real life), Adatepe's name first can be seen as Gargaros in the Iliad of Homers. In 1989, Turkish government announced to  keep the site as historical village and did not allowed any new building construction.

We suggest you to visit the site either during sun set or sun rise. The atmosphere  of the village gives you peace and the smells of pine and olive trees makes you hungrier  for a great Turkish village style breakfast there.

During our walk we came across ''SATILIK'' signages or for sale signs in the village but do not expect the village houses a bargain! By buying a house there,  you are having obligation to protect the building and responsible to protect from any damages under the new law set in 1989. If you really want to experience the Turkish village life, you can stay at B&B ''Adatepe Pansion'' which has 9 rooms with fire place. During summer time,  you can have your breakfast in the vineyard.

so this is an old Turkish house door? 

typical turkish/ greek house in a village back in the good old days!

this is so greek for me - leng

FOR SALE! Who wants to buy?

it would be nice to own a house here.. ;)

no restoration allowed! shame.. 

we were here! 

HELLO? ANYBODY HOME??

THIS HOUSE IS OCCUPIED; WE SAW THE OWNERS! ***ENVIOUS!**

HE ENJOYED THE VIEW - SO PEACEFUL ACCORDING TO HIM!

THE TURK PARTICULARLY LOVED THIS ONE

THE PINAY LIKED THIS ONE!

I LOVE THE GRAPE VINE THING GOING ON IN SOME OF THE HOUSES!

WE SHOULD HAVE STAYED HERE!

What a lovely place ADATEPE is - home of soap opera tapings, historical and touristic! We are glad we visited the place but don't think coming back anytime soon. We've seen it all in one visit or so we think.




Keep exploring!

Exploring Edremit: Altar of Zeus

Another semi-trekking opportunity for us is to visit Altar of Zeus in Edremit, Turkey. How cool it is to visit the altar for Zeus, no other than the King of the Gods during the Polytheist Era! Gotta love that  idea, if not the long walk up under the pine trees. It is approximately 900 meters to reach the altar from where we parked the car.

The altar is a huge rock on the edge of the cliff with a small stair carved to the rock to get to the altar. Right after this stair is a plane rectangular surface. The view is simply breathtaking.  A real splendid landscape!

This is definitely one summer activity for kids in Turkey. A lesson in mythology and geography at the same time! Awesome!

K1 dreading the trek up to the Zeus Altar - 900 meters to go! 

K2 already looking tired while Dad is very happy! 

Leng and Betul and the gorgeous view of Adetepe village (almost visible)

closer view of Adetepe village from the trek leading to Zeus Altar!

we just love the view going up!

View from Zeus Altar! Heavenly 

Kids got tired so they sat on the altar! 

By the cliff of the altar, other side of the view! Still breathtaking!

Keep exploring!