Restaurants and Raki

17 April 20233 May 2025

Wearing ourselves out in the sun and saltwater, we were excited to enjoy another day of lunch on the property. We couldn’t pass up an opportunity for their fabulous cheese pizza with its perfectly grilled crust and tasty blend of cheeses and fresh, juicy watermelon.

We had a full afternoon packed with sightseeing and wanted to explore some of the chic oceanside restaurants in the Turkbuku village of Bodrum. Our first stop was the Macakizi Hotel for happy hour. This boutique hotel, with a name that means intelligence and beauty, has a lively bar and seaside seating.

We ordered small plates and shared a couple of bottles of Chardonnay soaking up the views of the nearby islands. We reminisced about our time in Istanbul and Bodrum, the fabulous food we had eaten so far and our local trip to the supermarket.

This fabulous bar and restaurant draws celebrities from all over the world with its authentic Turkish comfort food. Macakizi has its own private beach and a yacht available for hire to island hop along the coast. With its smart interior and sleek interior design, the hotel was placed on The Conde Nast Gold List in 2021.

The scenery around Maki 29 Beach was laidback and oozing with solitude. Wooden boats were tied up to the dock while large sailboats and catamarans were anchored out in the cove. We found gravel stairways surrounded with colorful gardens where we took some fun photos and posed for silly pictures. The sun was beginning to set, so the dusk lighting made for some amazing memories.

It was time for us to find a restaurant for dinner and we all agreed we wanted to try the local seafood at a location along the water. We happened to find Onikon Beach and Restaurant that had plenty of seating for our party of six. Looking over the menu, we had so many questions and the staff was incredibly helpful.

They brought out plates of their specialty fish and we decided on the sea bass and bream. We also ordered chicken kebabs, vegetables with hummus and saved room for katmer which is a folded pie pastry.

After dinner, we strolled towards the shops for a final time and found some last minute souvenirs at a cute boutique called Le Kabbak. We met the owner of the store who was kind to offer us seats outside. She suggested that we try Raki, one of Turkey’s signature drinks. None of us had heard of it so she began to pour small amounts into shot glasses and encouraged us to try it. It reminded me of Greece’s Oozo with its licorice taste. We each had a couple of drinks and enjoyed talking with her for awhile. We had only one more day to explore Bodrum so we decided to leave and would arrive early the next morning. Cheers to Bodrum!

What to See and What to Do:

Shopping in Turkbuku
Check out the local restaurants

Where to Stay:

Macakizi
Göltürkbükü, Narçiçe?i Sokak,
48400 Göltürkbükü Bodrum/Bodrum/Mu?la, Turkey
Telephone: +90 252 311 2400

Where to Eat:

Macakizi
Göltürkbükü, Narçiçe?i Sokak
48400 Göltürkbükü Bodrum/Bodrum/Mu?la, Turkey
Telephone: +90 252 311 2400

Onikon Beach and Restaurant
Konac?k, Mercan Sk. 57/A D:1
48470 Bodrum/Mu?la, Turkey
Telephone: +90 252 377 60 03

What to Eat:

Fruit: pomegranates, figs, peaches
Kumpir: potato with toppings
Lokmasi: deep-fried dough drenched in honey syrup
Peynirli borek: similar to Greek spanikopita
Sebzeli doner: meat, potato and vegetable skewers
Simit: bread that is between a bagel and pretzel

Where to Shop:

Le Kabbak
Dereköy, Gümü?lük Yolu No:3
48960 Bodrum/Mu?la, Turkey
Telephone: +90 252 394 33 99

What to Read:

Turkey Street: Jack and Liam move to Bodrum, by Jack Scott
Turkish Reflections: A Biography of Place, by Mary Lee Settle
I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes
Bodrum, Ancient Halicarnassus, by Oguz Alpozen

Photo Guide for Bodrum:

Akvaryum Koyu (Aquarium Cove)
Bardakci Cove – great snorkeling location
Bitez Bay – Take the nature walk along the coastline
Bodrum Beach
Bodrum Windmills – great hike; nice quiet place to visit
Castle of Saint Peter – remains of the mausoleum of Mausolus
Gumusluk Harbor – gorgeous setting and amazing lighting at night
Turgutreis Red Lighthouse – awesome place for the sunset
Yalikavak Marina – luxury yachts, restaurants and shopping

Hike the Fairy Trail at Yellowstone for an Amazing View of Grand Prismatic Spring

8 December 201825 October 2024

From the trailhead of Fairy Trail, I checked my backpack, tightened my boots and took out my water bottle in preparation for my hike. I could see the steam coming off of the multiple springs to my right and would soon be able to climb above the Middle Geyser Basin for a spectacular view of Grand Prismatic Spring. Distracted by my surroundings, I hadn’t notice the furry Bison standing within a few feet from me. While he appeared to be docile and more interested in grazing, I quickly passed, giving him plenty of space.

Within about twenty minutes, I reached a path leading upwards through the woods but I wasn’t quite sure if I was heading in the right direction. The woods were thick with fir trees that had fallen and blocked the trail but I decided to push forward. The climb was intense, but soon I noticed a small clearing and what seemed to be a natural bench of rock. I took a seat and looking out towards the spring, I was not prepared for the beauty of one of the most surreal sights I had ever seen.

One of the most surprising features of the Grand Prismatic Spring was the colorful rainbow of rings bordering the circular pool. Not visible from ground level, the vibrant primary colors and the orange-flamed runoff radiated like the sun.

I sat in amazement of the largest hot spring in the United States and realized I was looking down on a dormant volcano. I watched the steam slowly leave the geyser, disappearing into the air. Understanding that the mist is due to the boiling water reaching temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, I also thought about how this silent volcano could explode at any moment. What an eerie thought.

Leaving this peaceful place on the hill, I returned back to the trailhead, curious to find the bison I saw at the start of my hike. I was surprised to notice that he was standing in the midst of Middle Geyser Basin. Concerned for his safety, I said a little prayer and hoped that he would escape from any harm and make it home safely.

Did you know that the Fairy Trail leads to a beautiful view of the Grand Prismatic Spring? Have you hiked the trail? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading my post about my visit to Yellowstone! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7381

Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. Check out their website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
Scenic View: Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead. For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls: Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes. The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
Length of Visit: Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
Tips for Your Visit: The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Where to Stay:

I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone. I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.

Where to Eat:

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7311

For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers. It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.

Cruise Ship Excursion in St. Lucia, The Catamaran Ride, Part 2

30 April 201821 September 2024

Dave and I had just explored the island of St. Lucia by coach and we were ready for the second half of our tour. Our cruise ship tour in St. Lucia included a stop at the Diamond Botanical Gardens in the town of Soufriere. Covering approximately 6 acres, the oldest gardens in St. Lucia includes the Diamond Falls Waterfall, Mineral Springs and Spa, the Nature Trail and Botanical Gardens as well as the Old Mill Restaurant. It is a popular tourist spot and has been open for visitors since 1983.

Red Prumalina

Pink Ginger

Red Ginger

Chenille Plant

Coconut Shell Retaining Wall

Bird of Paradise

Pink Torch Ginger

Lobster Claw

Diamond Waterfall

Sulphur Springs

Once we completed the Diamond Mineral Waterfall and Botanical Gardens, we boarded the catamaran for lunch, a stop for swimming and Caribbean dancing. The harbor of Soufriere is such a beautiful, tranquil location to start the ride.

A close up view of the harbor with the various boats, the tropical trees and mountains in the distance.

As all of us boarded the catamaran and took our seats, the view as we left the harbor was breathtaking. I had been waiting for this moment to see the two Pitons.

I am always fascinated by the structures that are built into the hills. It looks like another cozy harbortown in St. Lucia!

I could not seem to take my eyes off of the Pitons in the distance.

Out of nowhere a loud blast comes from the port side of the catamaran and we noticed a St. Lucian on his boat blowing out of a conch shell.

The catamaran started to slow down and we were taking a little swim break in the cove. We only had about 30 minutes before we would depart, but it was a refreshing opportunity for those that were interested and the scenery was paradise picture perfect.

I opted to stay aboard for a couple of rum drinks and hung out with this little cutie driving the boat.

Everyone was called back to the boat so that we could meet up with the cruise ship prior to departure. We were able to watch the tour guides and brave (or tipsy) ship passengers danced to the island music.

Coming back into the harbor of Castries, we saw the ship in the distance. I was sad to leave because it was such a great day to visit St. Lucia and I looked forward to the opportunity of coming back again soon.

When you cruise, do you take the shore excursions or go out on your own? I would love to hear your pros and cons for both if you would kindly leave your message in the comments section below. Many thanks for joining us on our catamaran excursion in St. Lucia and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Diamond Falls & Mineral Baths
Soufriere Estate
PO Box 1020
Soufriere, St. Lucia, West Indies
Telephone: 758 459 7155

Admission Fee: Adults: $17.50 EC (US $7); Children: half price; Private Baths: $17.50 EC (US $7); Public Baths $15 EC (US $6); +10% VAT tax.
Hours: Open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. Open Sunday from 10AM to 3PM. Open public holidays from 10AM to 3:00PM.
Amenities: Diamond Falls waterfall, Mineral Baths & Spa, Botanical Gardens, Nature trail, Old Mill Restaurant.
Length of Visit: 2 – 3 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Bring a bathing suit and additional change of clothes to enjoy the waterfall. Pool shoes are also recommended.

Where to Stay:

Fond Doux Resort
PO Box 250
Soufriere, Saint Lucia
Telephone: 758 459 7545

On a return trip, I stayed at the Fond Doux Resort on the southern side of the island in Soufriere. Booking a 1 Bedroom Cottage with a pool, I enjoyed the fabulous amenities of the property and enjoyed a long weekend of rest and relaxation. The Fond Doux Heritage Tour offers a fascinating look into the art of chocolate making and the opportunity to learn about local vegetation.

Where to Eat:

Fond Doux Resort
PO Box 250
Soufriere, Saint Lucia
Telephone: 758 459 7545

The Bamboo Restaurant & Bar serves lunch, so I ordered the Creole Fish to sample some of the local flavor, served with rice and salad.

For dinner, I was excited to see Lamontagne’s Cous Kaye with octopus and conch, served at the Cocoa Pod Restaurant

What to Eat:

Boudin – black pudding
Bouyon – beef soup with dumplings but other meats can substitute for beef
Callaloo soup – made with seafood or cuts of meat, okra, potatoes and garlic
Cassava Bread
Cow Heel Soup – a hearty soup with cow foot, carrots, pumpkin, chayote squash and yellow yam with dumplings
Curried Meats
Fried Plantains
Green figs and saltfish
Grilled Fish
Lambi – conch meat seasoned with multiple spices and then fried
Lobster
Pemme – cornmeal, pumpkin, cinnamon, sugar and dry coconut leaves then wrapped in banana leaves
Pepperpot – Caribbean dish made from onion, garlic, cinnamon, brown sugar, thyme, cloves, orange peel, cassareep and meat
Smoked herring and breadfruit – breadfruit is cooked until tender

What to Read:

Omeros, by Derek Walcott
A Room on the Hill, by Garth St. Omer
Don’t Believe It, by Charlie Donlea

Photo Guide for St. Lucia:

The Pitons from the Water
The Pitons from the Tet Paul Nature Trail
Sulpher Springs
Toraille Waterfall
Paradise Beach
Honeymoon Beach
Quarry Hill

Pharaoh Exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art

8 September 201616 September 2024

The Cleveland Museum of Art is known for its impressive impressionist collection and is one of the most visited in the world. I had always wanted to visit and when I learned about an additional exhibit based on an Egyptian collection, I was ready to make the two-drive to explore both exhibitions.

Entering the museum, I was overwhelmed with excitement to view the new exhibit: Pharaoh, King of Ancient Egypt. For months, I had been eager to explore this amazing showcase with over 200 ancient artifacts on loan from the British Museum. This exhibit provided an in-depth insight into the life, customs and culture of the Egyptian Pharaohs who ruled from 3000 BC to 30 BC.

The ancient Egyptians worshiped hundreds of gods and goddesses. The pharaoh was not only the ruler of the Egyptian kingdom but a religious figure as well. According to their beliefs, the pharaoh, an earthly representation of the god Horus, took human form to keep order within the kingdom of Egypt and to protect its citizens. Through various rituals, the pharaoh would attempt to please the gods in hopes to grow abundant crops and defeat their enemies. This was displayed by the 5-foot statue of Seti II seated on his throne while making an offering to the god, Amun, symbolized by a ram’s head on the shrine that Seti is holding. At the base of the statue is the carved name of Seti II, known in Egypt as a cartouche.

Once the pharaoh died, the Egyptians believed that he (or she) would be transformed as the god Osiris, the ruler of the underworld. Within his tomb, offerings of bread, wine and carved figures were given as gifts to the gods. The goddess Sekhmet was considered the “daughter of Ra”, a very powerful god, associated with the sun. She could also transform herself into the uraeus, the rearing cobra, displayed on the crown of the pharaohs.

One exhibit showed the Head of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II, a perfect example of the uraeus. His white crown symbolized the rule of the land of Upper Egypt while a red crown represented the rule of Lower Egypt. When the kingdoms were combined, the crown included both symbols of Upper and Lower Egypt.

In addition to statues, figures were also carved into the lintels of Egypt’s extravagant temples. The new pharaoh would leave his mark by building his own temple where the writing on the lintel would reference his rule. The lintel of Amenemhat III is a fine example of what would have been built in the time period of 1859 BC to 1814 BC.

During the Ptolemaic Period, when Greeks ruled Egypt, the tradition of building temples in the Egyptian style continued. According to the exhibit placard, it reads, “Pharaoh Ptolemy I presents grass and a papyrus plant to Hathor, goddess of fertility and joy. These plants symbolized Upper and Lower Egypt; together they represented the unification of the Two Lands.”

Smaller figurines of the pharaoh and the gods were also carved out of stone or wood while some were sculpted out of bronze. The jackal head is thought to have represented the god Horus in southern Egypt while the falcon may have been associated with the Horus of Pe in northern Egypt.

The colorful stela (writing on stone) of Pharaoh Tuthosis IV showed his offering a gift of papyrus and lotus flowers to Amun-Ra and the deified queen Ahmose-Nefertari, who was the wife of Pharaoh Ahmose. It is believed to have been created somewhere between 1279 BC – 1203 BC by Kha, the man who is carved into the bottom with his arms raised.

One of my favorite items in the exhibit was the Coffin Case of Bakenmut. I was taken by surprise at the beautiful artwork displayed both inside and out. Although not the sarcophagus of a pharaoh, it was the resting place of a member of the clergy of Amun at Thebes, a very rich man. It is estimated that it was built between 950 BC – 900 BC and made out of sycamore wood.

On the interior, there are images of two deified kings, Amenhotep I and Tuthmosis III from Dynasty 18. It is believed that Bakenmut desired to have an association with these kings in the afterlife.

I also enjoyed the wing of the exhibit that documented the lives of the royal family. Various everyday items displayed included jewelry as well as tiles and reliefs that decorated their opulent living spaces. One of my favorite pieces was the scarab beetle that dated back between 1391 BC to 1353 BC. The scarab symbolized immortality, resurrection, transformation and protection and most used to decorate tombs.

One of the most fascinating artifacts in the collection was the papyrus that dated back to 2454 BC – 2311 BC. This document revealed the administrative functions and economic procedures of that time period. For example, lists of offerings, calendars, accounts and inventory have been found by archaeologists and researchers.

When the pharaoh died elaborate tombs were designed to assist him with his passing and provided him with the items he would need in the afterlife. For example, many valuable objects would be buried with the pharaoh such as furniture, food and jewels. One of the most interesting objects was the shabti, a funerary figurine that was said to act as a servant for the deceased, carrying out manual labor after the pharaoh’s death. The turquoise Shabti of Seti I was said to have been carved from 1294 to 1279 BC.

Inside of the tomb, reliefs were painted to show images of the pharaoh in the afterlife. Seti I was the father of Ramses II and his tomb was considered the longest and deepest of all tombs discovered in the Valley of the Kings in Thebes. The fragment from his tomb has retained its original color and was part of the doorway .

The pharaoh lived a life of luxury not only on earth, but beyond his death. Valuable artifacts that were once the property of the pharaohs show the extravagant lifestyle for which they were accustomed. While many of us believe “you can’t take it with you”, the Egyptians would vehemently disagree.

The Pharaohs exhibit at The Cleveland Museum of Art was an insightful opportunity to explore the lives of the Egyptian pharaohs and to witness firsthand their riches and culture. The exhibit was on loan from the British Museum and was open to the public from March 13^th to June 12^th, 2016.

Have you had the opportunity to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art? What was you favorite exhibit? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
Telephone: 216 421 7350

Admission Fee: Free for the permanent museum exhibits. Additional fees may apply for special exhibits and tickets can be purchased online, at the ticket center or by calling 216 421 7350.
Hours: Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 5PM; Open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10AM to 9PM. Closed Mondays. Closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The museum will close at 4PM on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Amenities: On-site library and archives, restaurant, café, and museum store
Length of Visit: At least 3 hours for the permanent exhibit
Tips for Your Visit: Ensure that you have visited the museum’s website to confirm additional exhibits.

Where to Stay:

Glidden House at University Circle
1901 Ford Drive
Cleveland, OH 44106
Telephone: 216 231 8900

The Glidden House is a gorgeous boutique hotel built in 1910. Located in a prestigious residential neighborhood of Cleveland, this extraordinary French Gothic offers impressive amenities and services.

Where to Eat:

Trentina Restaurant at Glidden House
1903 Ford Drive
Cleveland, OH 44106
Telephone: 216.421.2900

Trentina is the sixth restaurant of Jonathan Sawyer, a James Beard Award winning chef offering Northern Italian cuisine and wine.

Check out more of these phenomenal artifacts from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s exhibit Pharaoh: King of Ancient Egypt! Enjoy!

What to Read:

Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Cherry by Nico Walker
The Coming of Fabrizze by Raymond DeCapite
Derelict Paradise, by Daniel Kerr
The End by Salvatore Scibona
A Ghetto Takes Shape: Black Cleveland, by Kenneth L. Kusmer
The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread, by Don Robertson
The Headmaster’s Papers, by Richard Hawley
The Silent Syndicate, by Hank Messick
The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell

Photo Guide for Cleveland:

Abbey Road Skyline
Brewnuts is not only a lovely donut shop, but its nostalgic art deco interior is perfect for unique photos
A Christmas Story House in nearby Tremont
Civic Center District to photograph Cleveland’s City Hall, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and FirstEnergy Football Field
The Cleveland Arcade is one of the most photographed location in Cleveland so arrive early (8 or 9) before the crowds arrive.
Cleveland MetroParks Zoo
Cleveland Murals in Ohio City (close by)
Cleveland’s Museum of Art for its phenomenal architecture and exhibits
Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland Signs
Coastal Taco has some of the best views of the river in the city of Cleveland.
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Brecksville is for nature lovers.
The Flying Fig is a yummy cafe where outdoor photos are a must.
East Fourth Street is where you will find cozy cafes lining brick walkways
The Fountain of Eternal Life honors local residents who served in the military (photograph during the day AND night)
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Heinen’s Grocery Store to photograph the rotunda overlooking the food court and check out the terrace for additional photos
Holden Arboretum in nearby Kirtland
Lakeview Cemetery
Hope Memorial Bridge is the best place for photographing a cityscape photo of Cleveland
Located at Playhouse Square, Yours Truly is a chic cafe with exposed brick and stylish furniture and the infamous GE Chandelier
Pour Cleveland is a lovely coffee shop with an artsy interior.
Q Arena
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for its spectacular architecture and historical exhibits
Settler’s Landing Park is perfect for photographing several iconic locations in Cleveland.
Superior Viaduct Bridge
West Side Market is absolutely amazing for shooting food photos at each of the stalls, but a trip up to the second level by way of the corner staircase will provide a photo-worthy shot of the market from above.