Leaving Istanbul for Bodrum

10 April 20233 May 2025

Our flight departed from Istanbul early in the morning, arriving in Bodrum at 10:30. After collecting our luggage, we waited for the bus to take us to Salim’s house along the coast where we would spend several days before sailing the Greek Islands.

The bus was half full with tourists and residents visiting their second homes. Looking out the window, my eyes were taking in all of the beautiful resorts along the coast. Colorful flowers decorated the rural route where we entered tunnels with exquisite carvings which led to small, populated towns.

Passing by coves, we saw large yachts, small sailboats and the occasional fishing vessel. Occasionally, a community of homes appeared as quaint villages along the Aegean Sea and within forty minutes we had arrived at the entrance to our resort community.

At the secured entrance, we waited for our driver to take us to the house and help us unload our luggage. On our short drive to the house, we decided we would first have lunch and the attendant suggested the cafe where we could order the best pizza in town. We could see the cove where we would be staying and noticed the crystal clear waters, bathing areas and restaurants with outdoor seating.

Our accommodations were conveniently located within walking distance to the beach, pier, restaurants and shopping. The summer home of Salim was two story and surrounded by delicate flowers, large enough to accommodate the six of us.

We immediately unpacked our belongings, grabbed our swimsuits and walked down the hill to the pier where we found the restaurant to enjoy lunch. The stroll in itself was full of jaw-dropping views where whitewashed guesthouses were covered with vibrant blooms. Sitting along the waterfront, we ate fresh watermelon and made-to-order pizzas.

We swam for a couple of hours until it was time to meet up with Salim to discuss dinner plans. We decided to stay in, ordering takeout from a nearby food stall. From Turkish köfte (meatballs) to kebabs, we selected a wide variety of local dishes to sample.

After dinner, we strolled down to the swimming area as the light began to dim. Checking out the sailboats that had arrived to anchor off the shore, we eagerly waited for the sun to set.

We posed for photos, listened to Bruno Mars tunes and fought off sleep in fear of missing out. With what energy we had left, we stopped by the pool and shared bottle of wine before turning in. On the short walk home, we all agreed that we could have never imagined the beauty of Bodrum and reminisced about Ramadan in Istanbul until we just couldn’t stay awake much longer.

Have you had the wonderful opportunity to visit Bodrum, Turkey? Which places did you visit or restaurants did you enjoy? I would love to hear about your recommendations if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my Girl’s Trip to Turkey and wishing you many Happy Travels!

The Turkish Flag

Beautiful Flowers in Bodrum

The Evil Eye – This circular symbol keeps evil thoughts from harming you

Enjoying the Sunset in Bodrum

Catamarans and sailboats in the Bodrum Harbor

A Morning Stroll Through Venice, Italy

4 August 202019 September 2024

The early morning hours are the perfect time to explore a city like Venice for a number of reasons. With my camera in hand, I couldn’t wait to capture the amazing sunrise from San Marco and explore Venice before the crowds began to fill the square.

It was a perfect crisp morning in the City of Lions with hardly a cloud in the sky. The soft light of the golden hour was perfect for photographing the piazza, the campanile and the islands beyond.

Reflections and shadows rushed the square while vibrant hues of pink and orange saturated the sky. The piazza glowed with a luminous shine as the sun began to rise. With a coolness in the air and a growing flock of seagulls searching for an early morning breakfast, I was ready to return to the hotel to prepare for the beautiful day ahead.

The Hotel Centauro (Centaur Hotel) offered a European breakfast so I fueled up on a lite meal of coffee, meats and cheese. The Rialto Market was a six minute walk from the hotel, so I ventured out following the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. Crossing the bridge, there were spectacular views of Venice’s main waterway with its pretty pink palazzos and private boats tied up along its banks.

Along the Grand Canal were over 170 structures dating between the 13^th and 18^th centuries. Cafes spilled out onto the widening walkways with tables and chairs for outdoor seating. The historical homes along the waterway were once owned by some of the most rich and influential merchants of Venice and have been passed down for generation. Others have been restored as art galleries and boutique hotels.

Arriving at the 600-year-old Rialto Market, vendors were setting up their stalls of meat, fruit, vegetables, spices and flowers. The Pescaria is the section of the market designated for fish, offering tuna, shrimp and anchovies. Taking pleasure in the colorful marketplace, I watched as merchants wrapped up the daily catch and bagged vegetables for their customers.

I set out to lose myself in the maze of straits, creating my own route, enjoying the smells of homemade pasta and fresh foccacia. While the Grand Canal is the central waterway of Venice, there are smaller and more intimate channels that connect the city’s backyard passageways with their own network of private homes, boutique shops and popular restaurants.

I found myself at Naranzaria, a local wine bar along the Grand Canal. With outdoor seating and extensive wine list, I lost myself in the bliss of polenta and Prosecco.

By early afternoon, I was ready to return to the hotel and had miraculously found my way back to the Manin monument honoring Daniele Manin, an Italian Unification revolutionist.

I had registered for an afternoon excursion, so the timing was perfect for picking up my ticket from the hotel and making my way back to St. Mark’s Square. I left early enough to leisurely wander through Venice to window shop, people watch and pick up a few souvenirs. The scenic views captivated me at every turn and my upcoming behind-the-scenes tour of the Torre dell’Orologio was just around the bend.

Have you visited the city of Venice? I would love to hear what mesmerized you most about the city if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading my post about Venice and I wish you a lifetime of Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco, 30100
Venezia VE, Italy

Rialto Market
Campo della Pescheria, 30125
San Polo, Venezia, VE, Italy

Where to Stay:

The Centaur Hotel
San Marco
Campo Manin 4297/a
30124, Venice (Italy)
Tel. +39 041.5225832

Where to Eat:

Naranzaria
San Polo 130, 30125 Venice
Telephone: +39 041 7241035
Website: http://www.naranzaria.it/

I ordered a glass of Prosecco and the Mozzarella “in carozza” (sandwich) deep fried in polenta crust with anchovies and cooked pork.

Ristorante Rosa Rossa
Sestiere San Marco 3709
30122, Venice (Italy)
Tel. +39 041 523 4605

I could not eat enough of their caprese salad.

What to Eat:

Aperol Spritz is made with Prosecco (bubbly) wine, Aperol and a splash of soda.
Bellini’s were invented at Harry’s Bar and is my favorite brunch drink made with Prosecco and peach puree.
Seafood, especially sea bass. Black goby is a local fish from the lagoon and another local dish is fried sardines.
Vegetables from the Rialto Market
Instead of pasta, Venice serves rice and polenta. Rice and peas (risi e bisi) is a very popular dish.
Appetizers such as Venetian meat and cheese (the salami is amazing!) or cicchetti (similar to Spain’s tapas) are small servings that are the right portions. Baccala Mantecato is a topping for cicchetti made of creamed white fish.
Polpetta are deep fried meatballs
For lunch, the locals will order Tramezzino (sandwich) which is triangular in shape.
Dishes served with Nero di Seppia (Squid Ink Sauce) are a delicacy and the squid ink is very dark, so it may come as a surprise when your dish arrives.
Fritto Misto (Fried Fish and Seafood) can also include fried vegetables.
Venetian cookies (Buranelli – from the island of Burano and Sfogliatine) can be purchased at the local bakery.

What to Read:

Donna Leon has a series of crime novels all based in Venice.
The Glassblower of Murano, by Marina Fiorato
A Venetian Affair, by Andrea di Robilant
The City of Falling Angels, by John Berendt
Dead Lagoon, by Michael Dibdin
A Thousand Days in Venice, by Marlena De Biasi

Photo Guide for Venice:

The Bridge of Sighs leads to the waterfront dungeons and is best photographed from the Ponte della Paglia.
Burano is one of the islands within the Veneto was once a community of fishermen. The colorful homes can seen from a distance as the vaparetto approaches. The colors of the island and reflections make memorable photographs.
Piazza San Marco / St. Mark’s Square is the main meeting place in Venice to explore the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile and the Clock.
Pont de l’Academie translates as the Academia Bridge and is the second most popular bridge behind the Rialto Bridge.
The Rialto Bridge at Sunrise and Sunset; Take a trip on the vaparetto along the Grand Canal for some amazing photo opportunities.
Rivi degli Schiavoni is where the gondolas are “parked” with the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background.
St. Mark’s Campanile is the bell tower in the square. Visitors can purchase tickets to ride up to the top for spectacular views of the lagoon and nearby buildings.
If you can visit during the Venice Carnival celebration, you will have many opportunities for some amazing, dramatic photos of people dressed in costume.

Mykonos, Greece: Whitewashed and Wild

4 August 201716 October 2024

Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis put Mykonos on the map when she vacationed here in the 1960s (imagine big black sunglasses, miniskirts and go-go boots). A popular cruise ship port, this island has a reputation of having a free-spirit and party atmosphere.

Mykonos’ iconic whitewashed buildings and colorful blue roofs can be seen from miles away. The island is considered one of the Greek Cyclades and measures 7 by 10 miles. The main town of Mykonos is called Chora or Hora, translated as “The Village” and is also referred to as the “Old Port”.

We were tendered in from where the cruise ship was anchored where small fishing boats occupy the harbor. A small Greek Orthodox church, which had been converted into a ticket kiosk, was where I purchased my ferry ticket to the island of Delos.

With a couple of hours to explore Mykonos before catching the ferry, I began my adventure looking for “Little Venice”, a popular village neighborhood that mimics the Italian city with the same name. Along my route, I passed the most photographed church on the island, the Church of Panagia Parapotiani. The whitewashed stucco walls and the sky blue rooftops of the church are the perfect representation of Greece’s iconic Cycladic architecture.

I knew I had arrived when I could see the symbolic windmills on the ridge of Kato Myloi. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, the purpose of the these cylindrical stone structures was to grind the grain for their bread. At one point, there were over 600 mills throughout the islands of the Cyclades. Today, a total of five still remain on the western side of the island and one, the Boni Myli windmill, is open to visitors.

Mikri Venetia, more commonly known as “Little Venice” is also set along the coast on the western side of the island, within sight of the windmills. Considered one of the most romantic locations in Mykonos, its charming quarter overlooks the bay. Offering elegant restaurants and a scenic backdrop to include spectacular views of the Aegean Sea, it is the perfect location for enjoying the evening sunset.

I became easily lost among the winding streets of Mykonos. The beautiful chaos of cobblestones led me through narrow passages lined with charming shops and cafes. I enjoyed the white and blue storefronts with the bougainvillea flowers flowing down from overhead. I eventually referred to my map to lead me back to the harbor where I would catch the ferry to Delos.

Soon, I found myself back at the cove mesmerized by the deep blue shades of the Mediterranean Sea. A stretch of restaurants lined the beaches and tourists were strolling in to take a seat on the patios to place their order for food and drink. With the ferry terminal in view, I placed an order for tzatziki and pita bread to compliment the Alfa, a local Greek beer.

I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the island’s most famous resident, Petros, but the local pelican had not appeared. Instead, I watched the cats as they crowded near the fishing boats, waiting for scraps of fish. I studied them, lazing in the sun with their bellies full and couldn’t help but wonder if they knew how lucky they were to live on the spectacular island of Mykonos.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Mykonos? What did you do while you were there? I would love to hear about your adventure and thoughts of this fabulous Greek island if you would kindly leave a comment below! Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Church of Panagia Parapotiani
Xwpa, Mikonos, 84600 Greece
in the neighborhood of Kastro in the town of Chora

Boni Myli windmill
Ano Mili, Mykonos Town, Greece
On the east side of town

Mikri Venetia
Mitropoleos Georgouli, Mykonos Town, Greece

Where to Stay:

Harmony Boutique Hotel – Mykonos Town
Pros Palaio Limani
Mykonos Town 846 00, Greece
+30 2289 028980

Where to Eat:

Old Port, Akti Kampani,

Mykonos Town, 846 00, Greece

Telephone: +30 2289 028256

What to Eat:

Baklava is layers of phyllo dough filled with nuts, spices and sweetened with honey
Greek Salad
Greek Wine from Santorini is unique as the grapes are grown in volcanic ash
Gyros
Lamb
Local Olives
Mashed Fava Beans (Fava me Koukia)
Moussaka is an eggplant or potato based pie with meat and cheese
Pomegranates
Saganaki is a phyllo pastry stuffed with cheese and covered in honey
Souvlaki are meat kabobs made from lamb, beef or chicken
Spanikopita is a phyllo pastry filled with spinach, cheese, and sometimes onion
Tomato Fritters made with tomatoes and onion, they are spiced either with oregano and peppermint then deep-fried
Tzatziki is a yogurt based sauce with bits of garlic, onion, cucumbers, olive oil and lemon. Pita bread is usually served with this dish for dipping.

What to Read:

Murder in Mykonos by Jeffrey Siger
The Lion of Delos by Anne Worboys
The Double Image by Helen MacInnes

Photo Guide for Mykonos:

Little Venice…especially for the sunsets
The Windmills of Kato Milli
Chora, the Old Town of Mykonos
The Doors, Stairs and Walkways of Chora
The Cats of Mykonos
Mykonos Harbor
Paraportiani Church
Nammos Beach Club
Scorpios Beach Club
Cavo Tagoo Resort
The beautiful Bougainvillea
Hotel Little Rochari

Santorini: Life on a Volcano
The Island of Delos: A Lesson in Greek Mythology
Corfu: An Old Town, Palace and Monastery
Corinth, A Biblical and Historical Perspective
The Site of Olympia and its Role in the Olympic Games
The Archaeological Museum at Olympia
Athens, Greece: A Living Museum

The Energy of Times Square in New York City

12 January 201531 August 2024

I am always fascinated by all of the lights in New York City! I wished I could have experienced the city at night, but it is just as spectacular in the day! I have visited New York City before, but usually it was a stopover flight to my next destination. New York is a fast paced city in the northeast United States and Times Square is at the heart of it all!

I learned quickly that Times Square is not a square but actually a long stretch of roadway that eventually meets at Broadway and Seventh Avenue. It is not a view that is unfamiliar to me as I have watched the New Years’ Eve ball drop from this location for quite a few number of years. There are over 300,000 people who visit Times Square on a daily basis to total about 50 million annually. Here is a view of the northern part of Times Square where the central building’s address is Two Times Square.

In a city where you can buy just about anything, Times Square is also the place to find discount tickets for the theater. Don’t be alarmed when the top shows are not available, as these sell out pretty quickly. Most likely you will find tickets for the Off Broadway shows or the long running productions. Look for the TKTS booth at the north end of Times Square for some of the best deals!

It is no doubt that Times Square is one of the most recognized pieces of real estate. From its humble beginnings to becoming one of the most popular metropolitan cities throughout the world, New York City is definitely a city with a rich history and an energy that compares with such a few.

So as I am standing amidst what is also known as the Center of the Universe, I take in the bright lights and neon signs, the crowded streets and passing taxis. My senses encompass the pulse of the city and I am mesmerized by it all. What an amazing experience!

Have you been to New York City? Did you visit Times Square? I would love to hear your favorite attractions and restaurants when you visit the Big Apple! Just leave a message in the comments below! Many thanks for reading my post and Happy Travels!

Where to Stay:

The Manhattan at Times Square
790 7th Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Telephone: 212 581 3300

Where to Eat:

Gramercy Tavern
42 E. 20th Street
New York, New York 10003
Telephone: 212 477 0777

The Untouched Beauty of Honduras

19 March 201431 August 2024

I can still remember the first time I visited Honduras, I was working for the cruise lines in the 1990s. I was amazed at the pure, untouched landscape with endless views of the country’s hills and valleys. Honduras was not yet an established cruise ship stop and became a popular port of call because of its uninhabited jungle with rare sightings of exotic birds and animals.

The Ocean Spirit, a live-aboard dive ship, was one of the few vessels that was permitted to anchor off of The Bay Islands of Honduras. Divers were drawn to our ship’s itinerary as it provided some of the best diving in the world. Second only to The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, dive enthusiasts had the opportunity to explore the underwater reefs of Roatan.

Although the majority of passengers were drawn to the ship because of its spectacular diving, the Ocean Spirit also provided shore excursions for non-diving passengers to go ashore. While in Honduras, these tours included either a boat ride to Roatan Beach (which also included lunch), or a catamaran cruise to Guanaja with a cultural trip into town. The group sizes were usually small, so ship’s officers were welcome to tag along when space was available.

The boat ride to Roatan included refreshments, musical entertainment and a tour guide providing commentary and insight to the lives and culture of the Hondurans. Within a few minutes we had arrived on the West End of the islet where miles of white sand and tropical palm trees welcomed both sunbathers and explorers. After four hours, which included lunch, the tourists would board the boat and enjoy the scenery on our way back to the ship. This was the most relaxing of the two tours and I enjoyed each opportunity I had to visit.

The most popular tour in Honduras included the opportunity for passengers to explore the Bay Island of Guanaja, also known as Bonacca. To reach the island, we took small passenger boats, hugging the Honduran coastline. Thatched huts and concrete homes came into view as we sailed along the shore. Little dinghies were tied up to the palm trees in preparation for an afternoon of fishing as wives hung their laundry on a clothesline outside of their home. The overgrown terrain acted as a shield to protect the families from the wildlife that lived deep in the unexplored jungle.

Guanaja was one of the more inhabited of the Bay Islands back in the 90’s. The central town of Bonacca was the most populated with about 10,000 residents. As the catamaran docked at a small pier near the downtown, passengers were provided their first glimpse of this poor, developing Honduran fishing village.

Stepping off of the tour boat, it was not difficult to see why the locals refer to Bonacca as “Little Italy”. The maze of channels, backstreets and alleys remind me of the canals of Venice. There are no roads here, so moving from one place to the next requires a lot of walking. The homes within the interior of town seem to be more upscale and roomy. I enjoyed losing myself among the walkways, stopping to watch children fishing here along the bridges.

Moving inland into the town of Bonacca, I was saddened to see areas of poverty and ruin. Refuse filled the waterways and the smell of garbage was overwhelming at times. I learned later that day that the town was undergoing renovation. The Hondurans were optimistic that these areas would be cleaned up over the next couple of years in an effort to attract more tourists. The government was hoping that this focus would lead to more visitors which would in turn improve the economy and provide local jobs. Little did I know that tourism would eventually play a large part in the future of Honduras and that major cruise lines would vie for position to include Honduras on their ship’s itineraries.

It was soon time for me to reach the pier where I would join the other passengers and we would enjoy another boat ride back to the Ocean Spirit. The ship anchored overnight which meant that divers and crew could experience the nightlife before the ship’s departure the next morning. This was always my favorite part of the day.

After the shore excursions returned and dive masters unloaded their boats after a day of diving, we would all catch a ride over to The Bayman Bay Club on Guanaja. It became our most popular spot to escape our cruise ship life and leave the passengers behind. Even if it was just for an evening, this was our special place. From here we could escape, discuss our dives and catch up with one another over a couple of games of pool.

I took great comfort each week visiting Roatan and Guanaja with its unbelievable scenery and laid back atmosphere. To us, the islands were so profound that it was hard to believe that a place like this could actually exist in a world that had become so commercialized. I remember how each of us felt so privileged to have had the opportunity to spend time in a place that felt as though we were the only ones who existed. It truly was a magical place.

Honduras will always have a special place in my heart as it was here that I passed my certification to become a diving instructor. Looking back, it is hard to believe that I had the chance to dive at one of the most amazing dive sites in the world and I look forward to an opportunity to return to experience it all over again. And of course, the day would not be complete without a few dive stories over a game of pool at Bayman Bay Club.

Have you had the opportunity to visit a location that was once your best kept secret and you had hoped it would stay that way forever? Have you visited there recently to find that things have changed yet you have fond memories of its earlier existence? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. I am so thankful that you read my post about cruise life in Honduras and look forward to hearing from you. Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to Eat:

The food from Honduras is certainly a melting pot of flavors. Influenced by the Indian culture of the Maya, Lenca and Garifuna, it is also inspired by African, Caribbean and Spanish cuisine. Here are a few dishes one should try while visiting Honduras.

Black Bean Soup: A traditional staple, black beans are cooked with tomatoes and such spices as coriander and paprika. I love to top it off with sour cream and hot sauce.
Horchata: A milk-based drink, this concoction includes rice, water, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla, which is absolutely delicious.
Licuados: Another drink that comes from Honduras, this is a fruity dessert drink that is sweetened with honey and milk.
Machuca: This spicy dish is made of mashed plantains and then smothered with a jalapeno and garlic paste.
Pastelitos de Carne: Translated as a Meat Pie, pastry is stuffed with ground beef cooked in wine, with tomatoes, onions and raisins and cooked a golden brown.
Traditional Baleadas: Similar to a soft taco, a tortilla is filled with beans, eggs or beef, avocado and copious amounts of cheese and usually served at breakfast or lunch.
Yojoa Fish: Deep fried lake fish is marinated in cumin, paprika, cilantro paste and sugar, this dish is usually served with pickled onions (put on the fish) and lemon slices.

What to Read:

Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Roatan & Honduras’ Bay Islands by Sharon Collins
Roatan Honduras Dive Map & Reef Creatures Guide Franko Maps Laminated Fish Card by Franko Maps Ltd.

Photo Guide to Honduras:

Copan Ruins: Stelae (stone monuments), Maya Citadel, Step Pyramids, Ruins
Pico Bonito National Park: landscapes and scenic views
Utila: an island off of the mainland of Honduras best for photographing whale sharks and coral reefs
Jeannette Kawas National Park: lagoons, coral reefs tropical forests, swamps, and wetlands
Roatan: mountains, coral reefs
Lake Yojoa: lush landscape, birds, restaurants, coffee plantations, waterfalls and mountains
Comayagua: Spanish colonial architecture,

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