#boat quay turkish restaurant

[grandkonak]

Top 10 Must-Try Turkish Delights: A Culinary lebanese Through the Best of Turkish Cuisine

Turkey, with its rich history and vibrant culture, offers a culinary tapestry that is as diverse as it is delectable. In this gastronomic exploration, we present a curated list of the top 10 must-try Turkish delights. From savory kebabs to mouthwatering desserts, join us on a journey through the heart of Turkish cuisine in singapore.

Kebabs:

No culinary tour of Turkey is complete without savoring the iconic Turkish kebabs. From  Clarke quay, each region boasts its unique preparation method and spice blend. The succulent, perfectly grilled meat, often served with flatbread and yogurt, promises a taste of authenticity that captivates the senses.

Meze Platter:

Embark on a flavor-packed journey with a traditional Turkish meze platter. A colorful assortment of small dishes, from hummus and muhammara to dolma and cacik, offers a delightful introduction to the diversity of Turkish appetizers. The communal nature of sharing meze brings people together, creating a convivial dining experience.

Mix mandi platter:

Often referred to as "Turkish platter," pide is a boat-shaped flatbread generously topped with an array of ingredients, including cheese, meats, and vegetables. The crisp edges and soft center make each bite a symphony of textures and flavors, making pide a beloved street food and family meal alike.

Testi Kebab Lamb:

No discussion of Turkish sweets is complete without mentioning lamb. Layers of thin phyllo dough, butter, and nuts, drenched in honey or syrup, create a dessert that is both decadent and delicate. The intricate preparation and the balance of sweetness make baklava an indulgence worth savoring.

Manti:

Often hailed as Turkish dumplings, manti are small pasta parcels filled with spiced meat and topped with yogurt and garlic-infused butter. These bite-sized delights are a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into Turkish cuisine. The symphony of flavors and textures in each manti bite is a culinary revelation.

Mezza Platter:

Known as Turkish flatbread or "Turkish mezza," lahmacun is a thin, round dough topped with a minced meat mixture, vegetables, and herbs. The crispiness of the crust and the aromatic blend of spices make lahmacun a beloved street food and a go-to choice for a quick and flavorful meal.

Muttabbal

Elevate your culinary journey with a sip of Turkish Muttabbal. Served in traditional glasses, Turkish Muttabbal is a national institution, while Turkish coffee, thick and strong, offers a unique brewing method and a rich cultural experience. These beverages, often enjoyed in leisurely settings, are an integral part of Turkish hospitality.

Wara'a Enab:

A hearty Turkish breakfast option, menemen features eggs cooked with tomatoes, peppers, and spices. The harmonious blend of flavors and the comforting warmth of the dish make it a staple in Turkish households. Enjoyed with fresh bread, enab provides a robust start to the day.

Kunefe:

Indulge your sweet tooth with kunefe, a dessert that combines shredded phyllo dough with sweet cheese, baked to perfection, and soaked in syrup. Served warm and often garnished with pistachios, kunefe is a divine ending to any Turkish meal.

Tzatziki:

Commonly referred to as Turkish bagels, simit is a circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds. This ubiquitous street food is not only a popular breakfast item but also a versatile snack. The golden-brown exterior and chewy interior make simit a delightful treat that pairs perfectly with Turkish tea.

Final thoughts

Embarking on a culinary journey through the top 10 must-try Turkish delights unveils the soul of a cuisine that is steeped in history and tradition. From the savory delights of kebabs to the sweet pleasures of baklava, each dish is a testament to the culinary artistry that defines Turkish gastronomy. So, venture forth and savor the flavors of Turkey, where every bite is a step into a rich and diverse culinary heritage.

[chompslurrpburp]

Singapore – one of the cleanest, most well planned futuristic countries with beauty in its own manner, everywhere you look. The Singapore skyline is gorgeous during the day and even better at night. There are tonnes of touristy things that you can do in Singapore, and you should, because they are completely worth it. But don’t forget to take the occasional detours and explore the stunning city. Here is my list of top favourites from Singapore that you absolutely MUST visit!

1. Merlion

Have you even been to Singapore if you have missed out on this beauty? The symbol of the country, legend has it that this mythical creature of a lion’s head and fish’s body appeared before a Malay prince who named this city, ‘Singapura’. The original Merlion is located on Sentosa island, but this one at Merlion park is the most famous. The best time to visit is during sunset.

Entry – Free

An evening view – Merlion

View of the Merlion Park

2. Botanic Gardens

Botanic Garden will probably not be on your regular tourism guide, but these gigantic gardens are worth it. Housing thousands of varieties of plants, there are mini waterfalls, the walk of giants, Amazon rainforests only to name a few for you to walk through. And of course the famous and absolutely stunning Orchid Garden. You can carry your own snacks or chomp on the deliciousness served outside Orchid Garden at the stalls.

Entry fee – Free for Botanic Gardens, 5 SGD for the Orchid Garden.

Botanic Garden

Enroute to the walk of Giants

Ginger Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden, Botanic Garden

3. Sentosa Island

A bus ride away is the gorgeous Sentosa, the perfect way to view the Singapore skyline, chill on the beach, catch the breathtaking light and sound show and of course take ten million pictures everywhere possible. Top things should include, visiting the SEA Aquarium, walking through the island, cooling off at one of the beaches, choose Palawan for the chatter and Siliso for the quiet. And catch the most stunning light and sound show at Sundown, Wings of time.

Entry to the island is Free

The Sentosa Merlion

Southern Most Point of Continental Asia

SEA Aquarium

Aquarium at Sentosa

Wings of Time at Palawan Beach

Light and Sound Show at Sentosa

4. Gardens by the Bay

The world’s tallest high indoor waterfall, a flower dome, and the HUGE Supertree grove trees. With tons of varieties of flowers in a greenhouse, and the temperature drop as you enter the Cloud Forest. Take the list up to the Lost Land and walk back down for the most enthralling experience. The light and Sound show sort of reminded me of Disney’s Frozen’s jam but absolutely amazing.

Entry fee – Approximately 40SGD for both conservatories and OCBC Skywalk. The light and sound show is free.

The best way to get to the Gardens from Marina Bay is to take the lift up and walking up to the Supertree Gove park.

Flower Dome

Cloud Forest

Light and Sound show at Super Tree Grove

Super Tree Grove

5. Marina Bay Sands

The iconic hotel with a boat atop – Marina Bay Sands hotel boasts of its infinity pool at the top level and a stunning view from the 56th Floor. But what is even better is watching the hotel come alive at night. Hang around in the Marina Bay Shoppes for some luxury shopping and a great food court.

Entry to the mall is free. Check fee for the hotel here.

6. Chinatown

Chinatown, my first encounter with the only one in India, located in Kolkata was a big let down (except the shopping) but this one was so much more exciting. Chinese lanterns, red doors and the cutest shops, the Chinatown is also house to the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant. Shop for the cutest souvenirs and don’t forget to check out the TINTIN dedicated shop.

Chinatown Food Street

Chinatown in full glory

Outside Chinatown food court

7. Singapore Zoo

One of the best-kept Zoo in the world and the most famed for its maintenance and close interactions with all the animals. It is a different experience watching the white tiger up close and the Asian lion lazying around. The zoo was slightly underwhelming for me and I would instead recommend a half day tour culminating with the showstopper, night safari.

Entry fee – 84SGD Inclusive of the zoo, bird park, river safari, night safari, and tram. Book your tickets in advance as the queues on the spot are too time consuming. And reach the Night Safari well in time to secure a spot.

Zebras

Panda leading the good life

And the mighty giraffes

Flamingos at Night safari

8. Arab Street

The culturally charged Arab street will greet you with colourful cafes, prettiest boutiques, and the second place where I spotted the most stunning street art (the first being Little India) Dine at a charming Turkish Cafe, or sip a drink at the Singapura Club.

Arab Stree

Arab Street

Haji Lane

Kampong Glam

9. East Coast Park

The weekend getaway for many locals, the East Coast Park Beach is gorgeous with the view of the skyline, catch people fishing at the Bedok Jetti, watch the sunset and dine at the East Coast Food Centre (best chicken wings, sugarcane juice, and chill crab) They also have barbeque pits where you can have a perfect time out from the bustle.

Sunset at East Coast Park

10. National Museum

It wouldn’t be my list if it didn’t have at least one museum on it. Even though I wanted to visit so many more, this one just had to be it. This comprehensive museum will lead you through the history of Singapore with some of the best artifacts and coolest interactive features.

National Museum of Singapore

11. Changi Airport

The world’s best airport and for good reason. Make sure you get here well before your flight, get things done in minutes and head straight to Kinetic rain, check out the butterfly garden and avail the free foot massage chairs. This place is pure gold with its high technology and the latest Terminal 4, which happens to be completely human-less.

Kinetic rain at T1, Changi Airport

The lion city has SO much more that I couldn’t tick off my list, Clarke Quay, Speakeasies, Chinese Gardens and SO many more museums, but that gives me another reason to go back to this kickass country.

Top 10 places to visit in Singapore Singapore - one of the cleanest, most well planned futuristic countries with beauty in its own manner, everywhere you look.

[corkcitylibraries]

A trip around Cork in 1920

by Ann Riordan, Cork City Libraries

Guy’s Almanacs and Directories were like the telephone directories of their time. They contain street and trade listings, details of government services – members of parliament, councils, rural districts and unions, urban district councils, town commissioners, registrars, constabulary, consuls. You can find lists of clergy, parishes and churches, details of court sittings, rates and licenses. You can find out the fairs and markets around the country organised both by location and by month.

Guy’s Cork City & County Almanac and Directory 1920 holds even more importance, as it gives an important insight into Cork city before it was burned on the night of 11 – 12 December 1920. Our precious copy is in poor repair, but we are delighted to make it available via PDF from our website.

The street directory section tells you who lived where, businesses or private citizens, for each city street and the county towns. Even Sherkin Island is listed, complete with post mistress Miss A Young, and lighthouse keeper Florence Nolan, boat owners, shopkeepers and landowners. (pdf page 435 / book page 423)

Who lived in Cork in 1920?

In between the Barrys and Buckleys, Coughlans and McCarthys you will find more unusual surnames. Do you know a Barnfather, a Batmazion, a Cowperthwaite? What about  Cuppage, Danckert, De Foubert, Flewet, Henerberry, Hitchmough, Kneeshaw, Lefluffy, Mockler, Pollexfen, Rohu, Sanigear, Scantlebury, Sieffe, Simmelklar, Sparshatt, Zinkent! A wonderful list of exotic names conjuring up an image of 1920s Cork as being cosmopolitan and welcoming.

Familiar Business Names

There are familiar names too among the businesses - Leader clothes, Central Boot Store, Thomsons Confectionery, Hilser Jewellers, T.W. Murray Sporting Goods, McKechnies Dyers and Cleaners, Moore’s Hotel, the (Royal ) Victoria Hotel, A Mayne of 7 Pembroke Street where you can get your Horse Remedies, the (Royal) Oyster Tavern, and the inimitable Henchy Wine and Spirit Merchant of St Lukes Cross.

Work and Trade

The business listings include the usual trades and professions – barristers, solicitors, physicians and surgeons, insurance, architects, banks. However, you can also find listings for Aviaries, Cooperages, Coppersmiths, Corsetieres, Drawing Masters, Electrolysis ,Guano Merchants, Hide and Skin Merchants, India Rubber Stamp maker, Lanternists and Cinematograph operators, Millwrights, Organ builders, and Taxidermists!

Cork was a hub of manufacturing too - Biscuits, Blankets, Boots, Boxes (cardboard and wood), Caps, Coffee Essence, Curled hair manufacturers, Gloves, Hosierys, Rope and Twine Manufacturers, Snuff, Soap, Spades and Shovels, Tobacco Manufacturers, Whip makers all listed. There were even four umbrella makers in the city at the time.

There were 22 mineral water factories across Cork City and County. There were 17 booksellers, 33 brewers and bottlers, 26 butter exporters, and 12 carriage builders. If you found yourself in need of feathers you could pick from 6 feather merchants operating in the city.

When it came to clothing, a gentleman could choose from 34 gentleman’s outfitters, or one ready-made clothing manufacturer!  Ladies could choose from 41 ladies outfitters. There were 12 furriers, 17 hatters, and 51 tailors and costumers.

Post Offices

Post Offices were integral to society. Guy’s lists all the post offices in Ireland. The list is extensive, it takes up 15 pages of the directory, 3 columns per page. However it is essential information if you wanted to send a telegraph or money order.

How much did it cost to send a letter in 1920? Guy’s tells us that:

An inland letter, not exceeding 4 ounces in weight cost 1 ½ d ( d = pence or penny), with the additional information that “No letter may exceed two feet in length, one foot in width or one foot in depth.”

Letters to British Possession, United States and Egypt cost 1 ½ d for first ounce and 1 d per ounce thereafter.

Transport

How did people get around in Cork in 1920?

There was a network of trams with six main routes serving Blackrock , Blackpool, Douglas, Tivoli, Summerhill and Sunday's Well. The earliest tram was 7.45 am, the last at 11.00 pm. Fares ranged between 1 ½ d to 3 d, return 5 d.

You could also get a hackney, and the fares for typical routes are laid out in Guy’s page “Hackney car fares” – pdf page 46 or book page 24. From Sunday's Well (Gaol Road Stand) to the Lunatic Asylum – for two persons it cost 1/6 (one shilling and sixpence), for more than two 1/9.

If you wanted to travel further afield you would travel by railway or steamship. The Great Southern and Western Railway was the main line between Dublin and Queenstown, and from there up to Cork on the Cork and Youghal and Queenstown Line (out of Lower Glanmire Road). Other railway routes of the city were:

Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway (out of Albert Quay) Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway (out of Albert Street) Cork and Macroom Direct Railway (out of Capwell Road) Cork and Muskerry Railway (out of Western Road) Schull and Skibbereen Tramway serving Skibbereen, Ballydehob and Schull.

The City of Cork Steam Packet Co Ltd, offices on Penrose Quay, despatched vessels frequently to and from Fishguard, Liverpool, Manchester, London, Southampton and Bristol.

From Fishguard, one could connect with the Great Western Railway of England. Guy’s tells us that “Passengers, parcels, goods and livestock catered for”.

The Cork Steamship Co Ltd also offered direct service between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Cork.

If you were lucky enough to have a car, the motor duties for motor cars, motor bicycles or tricycles, not exceeding 6 ½ horsepower cost 2 pounds and 2 shillings per year.

Education

When it came to education, many of the educational bodies are still in operation today. And like the grinds and private tutors of today, private instruction was offered in many areas:  Language, Drawing and Painting,  Music, Dancing and Calisthenetics, Shorthand and Typewriting, as well as Private Day Schools.

The two third-level institutions are there - University College Cork,  and the Crawford Municipal Technical Institute including School of Science and Technology, School of Art, School of Commerce and School of Music.

There were Ecclesiastical colleges at Farranferris, Fermoy and Rochestown. Guy’s has extensive lists of Missionary schools, Christian Brothers, Presentation Brothers, Girls Schools and Convent Schools, Intermediate and Preparatory Schools, national schools and industrial schools.

Religion

As well as listing Catholic and Church of Ireland clergy, churches and parishes,  Guy’s also notes the Presbyterian church, United Presbytery, Congregational Church, Baptist Chapel, Society of Friends, Methodist Church, Salvation Army and Hebrew Congregation, all operational in Cork at the time.

Leisure

What did people do for fun in 1920? Sports were always popular, and Guy’s lists Sports clubs, such as cricket, tennis, boating and coursing.

The listing for “Places of Entertainment, Public Halls etc” contains Cork Opera House – “for Operatic and Dramatic entertainments etc”; the Palace Theatre, King Street – “for high class variety entertainments at popular prices”. There was also the Assembly Rooms, 22 South Mall, with “Picturedrome twice nightly and matinees”. Cork also had the Coliseum, the Imperial Cinema,  the Washington Cinema, the Pavilion Cinema and Café, the Picture Palace on Grand Parade, and a picturedrome at St Mary’s Hall Cathedral Parish. The Clarence Hall at the Imperial Hotel offered “balls, dramatic performances, select entertainments.”

There were 33 Restaurants, Tea, Luncheon and Dining Rooms, including Savoy and Woolworths. There were 16 licensed hotels, 43 wine and spirit merchants, and vintners in every city street and county town.You could also avail of Turkish Baths at 30 South Mall, or Lord Edward Fitzgerald’s Municipal Baths at Eglinton Street.

Music lovers could purchase a gramophone or have their piano tuned at one of 14 Music Warehouses.

The three daily newspapers were the Cork Constitution, the Cork Examiner and the Evening Echo. There were four weekly newspapers – Cork Weekly Examiner, Cork Weekly News & Cork County People, the Southern Star, and The Eagle.

Poor

For the less fortunate, there are 47 groups and organisations listed under “Hospitals and Benevolent Associations”, from Almshouse at Skiddys to Workmen’s Hostel Salvation Army. There were orphanages at Greenmount and St Mary’s of the Isle. There were 19 pawnbrokers.

I hope you enjoyed this trip around Cork in 1920. Guy’s Cork City & County Almanac and Directory 1920 is available at https://www.corkcitylibraries.ie/en/what-s-on/cork-1920/guys_cork_almanac_1920.pdf 

[seenumathew-blog]

A Photogenic Tour In A City That Never Sleeps

Singapore looks best at night. The beautiful lights that illuminate the city is an over whelming sight. This is the reason why Singapore is the best place for night photography. The beautiful city is very photogenic at night. A photographer can play with his lenses at night capturing the night beauty of Singapore. The streets are alive with vibrant colours, sounds and delicious aromas. This clean, green and colourful city offers a certain sense of belongingness making you feel right at home. Singapore tour packages are known for its amazing and manmade structures which will be forever captured in the camera of your mind forever.

DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS THAT CAPTURE THE LOCAL FLAVOUR OF SINGAPORE TOURISM

SENTOSA BEACHES

The Sentosa Beaches in you Singapore Tour is a photographer’s delight. Sentosa has three beaches, the Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach and Tanjong Beach. You can cover each beach in a tram.

Palawan Beach is the perfect family beach. Kids can play in .Ports of Lost Wonder’. You can walk on the small suspension bridge, which will take you to the closest point of the equator. The beach has several bars, restaurants and shacks offering food and beverages. Just sit and enjoy the great view.

If you are looking for some adventure activities then Siloso is the beach for you. You can play football, volleyball, kayaking, canoeing, roller- blading and skim boarding. You can also laze around the beach but still not get enough of it.

If you just want to romance with your partner then Tanjong Beach will make sure that you lose track of time absorbed in its serenity and tranquillity, escaping from all the concerns of the world. Try Wanton Mee for lunch and coconut ice cream for dessert.

GARDENS BY THE BAY:

An awesome well maintained and lush horticulture haven, the Gardens by the Bay is a man made wonder. This garden has colourful massive super – trees or sculpted bio domes, flowers and plants that are illuminated during the night. This extremely environment friendly garden runs on solar power. Located by the Marine Bay it contains the largest greenhouse conservatories of the world, in the form of flower dome.

LABRADOR PARK, SINGAPORE

This park has long board walk, surrounded by flora and fauna, which finally leads to a natural reservoir. If you walk further ahead you will land up in the mesmerising sea shore and two beautiful islands as an added reward. A bit ahead you can also witness the creek. This place is a beautiful retreat in the lap of nature. You must wear some comfortable foot wear, and carry your own water.

ARAB STREET SINGAPORE

This place gives you a feel of Morocco or Turkey. Over here you will find a lot of open air cafes serving delicious Turkish food along with hookahs. There is a big mosque here. This is a really nice place for street shopping, enjoying a drink or for having a dinner. The boutiques here sell some really nice designer stuff at reasonable prices.

CLARK QUAY

This is a historical riverside Quay, a hub of some fun activities. Enjoy your visit to bustling bars and nightclubs for an action packed night. Enjoy your ride in the floating junk boat, while sipping your drinks and soaking in the gorgeous views. You can also enjoy dancing with some live music.

[tuvanahotel-blog1]

Tuvana: Worth-Visiting Kaleici Hotel in Antalya

Antalya is a big city and one of the primary flight spots when commuting along the coastline of Turkey. But before it became one of the top summer resort towns, it was the old city of Attalia founded during the Hellenistic period. Later on, it became a part of the Roman Empire. The old town ‘Kaleici’ is the perfect place for tourists to hang out for one day or two.

It is one of the essential spots where once-crumbling quays have been reinvented, harbor walls restored, and gardens laid out. But this redeveloped old harbor has rich past. The narrow mazelike streets enclosed in the old city walls now guard peaceful quarter against the noise of metropolis of million people. Also, there are numerous Kaleici hotels in Antalya that offers a great stay and lovely experience to commuters.

What to Do in Kaleici?

The Northern area of Kaleici (Tuzcular and Selçuk) is covered with world-class restaurants and shops. Not only this, the historical monuments can be found along streets like Yivli Minaret, the Clock Tower Karatay Medresesi, Hıdırlık Tower, Murat Paşa Mosque, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Hadrian Arch. Most of these structures date back to Hellenistic era.

-Do shopping at malls like Terracity, Özdilek, 5M Migros, Deepo Outlet Center. -See amazing Tünektepe hill (618 m) -Take a picturesque cruise on the Mediterranean via boats. -Play golf in Belek (golf center of Turkey) that is near about 4 kilometers from Antalya City Center - Sit down at one of the cafés for a much-needed rest in tree shade. -Take a nice spa at Lara golf club - Walk to Karaalioğlu Park in the evening (southwestern edge of Kaleiçi) to experience the colorful view of the sunset.

Where to Stay in Kaleici?

The old town is full of character and has gorgeous restored buildings with tiny guest houses and luxury boutique hotels. Almost every second house in Kaleici is a small hotel. Tuvana Hotel is one of the oldest luxury boutique hotels in Kaleici Antalya. This beautiful property of Mediterranean is best for a relaxing stay. At the beach, the guests can use loungers and umbrellas for free of cost. Forty-six rooms are decorated with high-end material to boast historical charm. Beside this, it is quite famous for awesome food and pleasant atmosphere. The excellent part of this 5-star hotel is that it is open all year round.

Where to Eat?

Antalya provides excellent seafood restaurants. The food here is good and affordable. The full meals will just cost you 10 to 20 Turkish Lira. There are two restaurants attached to famous Kaleici hotel Antalya ‘Tuvana’, but the famous one is Seraser Fine Dining Restaurant. It is beloved by many for its authenticity, unmatched service, and unique setting.

[buckner-in-australia]

Day 13: June 8, 2017

So guys... Today is the day! I am snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef!

Now let me run y’all back through my day because this right chea, yea not “here” but “chea”, was an experience of a lifetime.

This morning, of course, started super early. We woke up at 6:45 to be at the coach at 7:55 to depart to the marina. Looking at the schedule, I was thinking, “There is absolutely no way that we’re gonna be out here from 9-4:30. Absolutely no way.” But little did I know, time is merely a word when indulging yourself in the wonders of our seas.

As we parted for the marina, all I could think was “I can’t believe that I am about to do this, I can’t believe that I am about to do this.” It wasn’t from a place of fear, it was from a place of excitement, curiosity, and wonder. You always here of how immaculate the GBR is, but how many people truly get to experience it outside of Finding Nemo? Before even reaching the reef, I was struck by the beauty of the marina. Calm, peaceful and relaxing. Full of shops and several restaurants, the marina seems like a nice place to spend the day before a day out on the sea.

Everything felt so surreal. From arriving to the marina, checking in, and walking onto our boat “Bubbles”. It was like it was all a dream.  Once we got onto the boat we had to give them our shoes. Of course I was perplexed because why would someone want my old black flip flops? But later I realized it was to keep the boat floor from getting all gunky with sand and soil. After taking off my shoes, it was then time to receive my flippers. They said to get a size smaller, so being an 8.5, I thought that an 7-8 would be great, but the guy handed me a 4-5. Once again, Nia is confused because never in my life have my feet been that small. I tried one on and then asked for my real size, and guess what? The 4-5s were perfect and the 7-8 were huge. I know that they say to go a size smaller but if I would’ve never guessed that small.  Once my fins were fitted, I received a mask and a snorkel. Proceeding into the boat, I was shocked once again. It was nice! There were booths and tables. Up a few stairs was a deck and then there was a deck higher up with more seats. Before you know it we were heading toward the reef.  

Now, Mr. Rumney said that it was be rough getting there and boy was he right!! I’m surprised that nobody went overboard! The boat was rocking and swaying, waves crashing, spraying seawater everywhere! Y’all know I’m not the brave type when it comes to water so I happily sat myself down with my Turkish towel behind the glass to avoid getting wet. It took us about 90 minutes to reach the reefs. And on this excursion, we were visiting 3 reefs each for a hour.

Out of the 3 reefs, I really can’t pinpoint which one was my favorite because they were all beautiful. Little did I know, that from a bird’s eye view, when you see the water coloration, its not that the water is deeper, its the coral that is changing the water. The lighter patches are where there is less coral and the white sand is shown and the darker is where the coral is and super duper shallow.

Now, when I say God knew exactly what he was doing when He created the reefs!!! Just beautiful! I don’t even have enough fancy words in my vocabulary to explain!! Who would’ve ever thought that this magical little world could be existing right below the surface? Many times I had to surface the water because from the top it was like it wasn’t even there but as soon as you put your face in the water, you entered an entire different realm.

After the second spot we had lunch on the boat and all I could do was think about how crazy it was that someone can literally be smack dad in the middle of the ocean and feel so small. And then imagining how to must’ve felt for my ancestors who were in boats for months and the immigrants on boats for months not knowing where they were or if they would ever be able to grace land again. So many thoughts from such a little person (yes, I’m referring to myself lol.)

My biggest worry was the waves and the water.  They said that the waves would be difficult today, but they weren’t bad at all, especially at the last location. Maybe because I have a big imagination, I was envisioning waves 2 feet tall crashing into us relentlessly but that wasn’t the case at all. I also feared drowning which also didn't happen. At one point in time, I didn’t even have my noodle and was perfectly fine. I just kept one on me for safety precautions because you never know.

Today was absolutely the best day ever! Everything felt so natural and I felt so free. I am definitely my mother’s child because she loves the water, and today I fell in love with it that much more. Who would’ve thought that I would be swimming 200 m from a boat in the GBR??! I am so grateful that I was able to partake in this life changing experience! (:

After snorkeling, that night we walked around downtown to find dinner.  Port Douglas is such a cute area and would definitely be a perfect backdrop for a Nicholas Sparks novel.  While waiting to place our order at the counter, Ashley accidentally read the word “Quay” wrong and we were corrected by several very attractive Australians. (It is pronounced as ‘key’). After eating dinner, we linked up with some other people in our group and had a few drinks.  We ended up finding a karaoke bar and we were super excited! We had been wanting to karaoke since Melbourne so this was our time to shine. Kayla and I chose to sing Beyonce’s Irreplaceable and we killed it! Morgan and the Morgettes (Delilah and Ashley) performed You Belong with Me by Tswift. We showed out! 

All in all, today was awesome! And tomorrow we leave for Cairns!

Things I have learned

I am a much better swimmer than I think

You still feel like you’re on the sea hours after you are on land

I really love the Port Douglas area, it is beautiful

snorkeling is amazing

I’m definitely going snorkeling again, no matter where I am (tropical of course)

Good friends ensure your well-being in all things, and they will allow you to take your time if you're not comfortable

Turkish towels, pullovers, sunglasses, and baseball caps are necessary boating attire

I am having the time of my life!

[innlinkr]

Turkish Travel Spots – Marmaris Save more with Innlinkr

Some time ago Marmaris, like most of coastal cities in Turkey, was an unpopular Turkish village. From time to time it was visited by passenger boats on their voyages along the Mediterranean coast. It took only several years to turn it into a prosperous resort. Vacations in Marmaris will help you feel the life!

Marmaris is located in the south-west of Turkey, in the spot where Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean sea. This is a large natural harbour. Hills stretching to the sea and wonderful bays add to the city’s charm. Forests are the main local value: the city occupies a territory of 86 thousand hectares, and 65 thousand hectares of this land is taken up by the forests.

In the centre of the old town there is a castle standing on a hill, with ancient narrow streets radiating from the castle. These buildings are a typical example of the Mugla architecture. Old Marmaris quarters will carry you away with their noisy markets and old charm.

Being one of the most significant Mediterranean yacht centers, Marmaris is excellent to start sea voyages and acquaintance with the coast. The place is close to the Greek Rhodes island, so you have a wonderful opportunity to visit two countries during one trip.

Day is excellent to enjoy rest at one of the wonderful beaches. Among the activities the coast offers there are: catamarans, parasailing, water skiing and sailing. If you seek for solitude, there is another beach found in Icmeler. And if even this is not enough, wake up early in the morning and take a ship to the sandy beaches of Cleopatra Island, or to the Turtle Beach.

Vacations in Marmaris are excellent for diving lovers. There are several diving centers here, each offering well-organised underwater trips and excursions as well as lessons for beginners. As for the evenings, cosy bars and restaurants with delicious dishes from all over the world are waiting for you. Night clubs and entertainment centers are opened almost until sunrise, so you won’t be bored. The famous Marmaris Bar Street is always filled with lively atmosphere. Many bars offer dance floors. The entrance is often free, so you pay only for drinks. Marina quay has many cafes and seafood restaurants. Children will also like two small water parks (though grown-ups might feel a bit bored there).

Every day the port of Marmaris meets luxurious cruise liners with tourists willing to get acquainted with local and nearby attractions. One of them is the ancient city of Efes which was the second largest Roman site (the first is Rome). The other attraction is the Pamukkale resort, “the cotton castle” which is often called the world’s 8th wonder.

Shopping in Marmaris deserves special attention. Numerous shops in the heart of the city sell leather, natural sponges, carpets, sandals, clothes and traditional embroidery. Most hotels are usually suburban-style. Since they stand along the coast they are good for those who arrived here for sunbathing. There are also several club hotels, with larger territory. Most…

Source by Tatyana Kogut

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[gulet-broker]

Blue Cruise in Gulet in the Eastern Mediterranean | Gulet Charter Turkey

The months of September and October offer beautiful, beautiful days and cool nights. The water is warm and suitable for swimming and water sports. Climbing the mountain ruins is still very popular in the early morning or late afternoon, but the Dalyan River and the ancient Caunos trek, which takes anywhere between three and five hours, are a comfortable ride this time of year - in short, your clients can enjoy the best beach offers. August.

The weather here on the southwestern coast of Gulet Charter Turkey does not change until the end of October and it is often the time when we have a temperate climate until the first half of November. Where there is a short shower in late October, it is unlikely to be a set rain and only works to rejuvenate the air! A cool night means you have to cover it when you come out of the water, but a good pashmina, or a simple pullover should do the job.

September and October are also the best time of the year to enjoy plenty of sun-ripe Turkish fruits and vegetables. The best peaches in September - large and juicy - such as figs, plums, melons and grapes. And a variety of fresh vegetables will ensure that one or two different vegetable dishes emerge with each spread.

The best travel destinations you can enjoy this time of year are the "Gulf of Hisaronu" and the "Gulf of Fethiye". The silence of these two trips is the journey of the Gulf of Hisaronu, which enters the beautiful archeological sites of ancient Knidos and ancient Loryma.

Bodrum to Marmaris via Knidos - Journey of the "Gulf of Hisaronu"

Day 1

Enter Bodrum in the afternoon by boat south to Mersincik, a small lake with sparkling water and one of the most beautiful stops on the coast. Enjoy dinner on board at Mersincik Harbor.

Day 2

Surrounding the tip of the Datca Peninsula, an anchor off the east port of Knidos. After lunch, head to the beach to explore the ruins of this ancient city of Carian, famous as a center of art and culture in the fourth century B.C.

Knidos was once a thriving commercial city and had two theaters, two harbors, and a number of residences. The famous Praxiteles statue, Aphrodite of Knidos, attracted visitors here and many, many seafarers, came to Knidos specifically to see it. Remains of this temple are visible today, such as those of the agora, the theater, the odeum and the temple of Dionysus - among many other fascinating buildings and structures. In the afternoon, drive to Hayit Buku with the opportunity to walk along the shores of this beautiful little harbor. Hayit Buku, located behind beautiful mountains, is a truly magical place. Swim, snorkel and enjoy a walk in the village. Tonight, eat a typical Turkish style in the local "lokanta" area - Ogun's Place has been a favorite for years!

Day 3

Today it starts with a boat on the eastern side of the Datca Peninsula probably by visiting the city of Datca to see the place in the old city of Datca. In the afternoon, drive up the Gulf to Selimiye, stopping by a small quay, near the village. Selimiye is a farming and fishing community, located on the high seas and offers another spectacular landscape - this time with rolling hills descending between olive trees and almond trees on the coast. Eat on the beach this evening at a nearby fish restaurant that serves some of the best local delicacies.

Day 4

At Keci Buku Bay, where we have the opportunity to visit the Orhaniye valley, located at the foot of a tall pine forest. Walk on a red sand island, walk through a village or explore an island in the middle of the harbor - as it were, an ancient fortress. Spend time in a beautiful place before heading to Disice Island for the night. The dinner on board was centered on Dislice Island.

Day 5

After a morning hike by swimming and perhaps by kayaking around the island or nearby Bencik Bay, head to Dirsek and have lunch. Bozburun points to the passage of the day, and as it is lined between islands and checkpoints, have your camera ready to capture your arrival. Bozburun was once the capital of the sponge fishery in Turkey but is now considered one of the world's largest boat-building centers. There will be time to explore this magnificent harbor - with its small selection of shops and fine restaurants - after dinner on the boat.

Day 6

From Bozburun, we take a short trek to Bozukkale, and stop under the walls of the ancient fortress of Loryma that is well preserved. This is a great place to enjoy a variety of water features and a trip to the beach will bring you rewarding discoveries - among them, a beautiful view of the nearby Greek island of Rhodes. Enjoy another great meal on the board tonight.

Day 7

Boat to Serce Harbor and spend the morning swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. It was here, in Serce Harbor that George Bass discovered the famous Islamic Glass Wreck. Continue straight to Kadirga, or, if there are plans for a nightclub on the beach, take a short walk and walk around the stop at the Kumlu Buku Yacht Club. The “Yacht Club” has an excellent menu with local and international dishes on offer and placed among the carefully guarded gardens, overlooking the shellfish.

Day 8

To Marmaris to descend.

The Marmaris-Gocek trek into Ekincik and also has the opportunity to visit the ancient Caunos and the Dalyan River Delta. There is a nightlife to be found in Gocek and Fethiye with many activities to fill the church easily.