Kusadasi, Turkiye
The next thing that we learned from our guide was that the country no longer goes by Turkey but instead by Turkiye. Changed by the U.N. in 2021, the meaning of Turkiye is “Turks homeland”, which is how the Turkish people have always pronounced and spelled it.
Today the village prospers through agriculture (olive oil, peaches, and wine) and tourism. It is well protected and a rare and attractive example of Ottoman Christian architecture. We were very impressed with how clean everything was. It seemed everyone had a broom in their hands, or hosing down the sidewalk in front of their home or business.
After our tour of Sirince, we went back to Kusadasi and had lunch with friends before heading back to the ship. It was an interesting day as there were 3 cruise ships in the port, though the Kusadasi shop keepers seemed thrilled to have so much traffic.
As we were backing away from the dock, into the channel, our ship signaled with the traditional loud horn blast. The other two ships responded with a “toot” of their own, to say goodbye to us. It was cool.
Next stop tomorrow: Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Post Gallery
Kusadasi Castle, guarding the port.
Traditional Turkish dancers, greeting our ship.
Olive trees on the drive to Sirince.
Turkish coffee being prepared on a sand Ibrik using brass cezves.
Marshall found a kitty!
Like Mykonos, the houses are painted white.
An old school is now a restaurant.
A wine tasting where we tasted pomegranate and mulberry wines from shot glasses.
This purple flower was growing everywhere.
One of the remaining aqueducts. Notice the stork nest on top.
Kusadasi, near the Grande Bazaar.
The Island Princess in port.
Kusadasi Bazaar
Backing out.
Lovely! It was my favorite place to visit in 2022! Rich history. Delicious food. Kitty cats!
Aren’t the Turkish people the most amazingly gracious and welcoming!
Wisteria in two countries,