Banks of banks

You probably don't want to know this, but yet another bank is opening in Didim.
This is number 11



The other 10 are: Garanti, Akbank, TEB, Vakif, HSBC, Ziraat, Iş, Finans, Halk, and Yapi.

They must all be expecting an explosion of business in the area.

Doğanbey 2008

We took another trip to Doğanbey to visit the abandoned Greek village. The Greeks left it in 1924 when there was an exchange of citizens between Turkey and Greece after the Great War.

Now some of the houses are being restored sympathetically, and the village is very picturesque as you can see.

There was also the chance to partake of a little refreshment, courtesy of the local spring.

If you would like to see more click http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/david.kearton/Doganbey

The Launch

As the weather has improved and despite it being the 13th
we decided to put the anti-foul paint on and launch our dinghy.

So with the help of a few friends we loaded it up on it's trailer and pushed it down to the sea

There we tried to remember where all the ropes and other bits and pieces went,
before

moving it out to it's mooring.

Now we wait for a suitable day for it's maiden voyage of the year.

And good luck to those who sail in her!!

To Iassos via Akbuk

The trip was really to see the wild flowers in the forests behind Akbuk



But having done that we continued on to Iassos

There were some amazing views


And when we reached Iassos there were many archealogical sites to explore


All these pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them

To see more of the pictures from this trip go to
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/david.kearton/ViaAkbukToIassos

Spring in Yeşilkent

A Trip to Izmir

We decided to visit Izmir and took the bus. From the main bus station, there are free mini-buses to all parts of the city.
We chose to go to Basmane and then walk down through the streets to the Bazaar.

Here they sell anything from wedding dresses and suits, to fresh fish and spices.

All sorts of knick-knacks, and antique paraphernalia

Then we came to the sea front, where we wandered around Konak Pier (Designer shops and an English bookshop)

Also some alfresco dining

Before taking the ferry across to Karşyaka
Many more shopping opportunities there before taking the bus back to Didim.

French Quarter

The new "French Quarter" is coming along as you can see.
The idea is to have small cafés and tables, umbrellas etc all along the street eventually.

Our new transport

For those who have asked ... this is the new car we should be picking up today.

It's called an Ikco Samand

As you can see, Easter Sunday has been a wild and windy (but warm) day here



They have been paving around Dolphin Square

And replanting the gardens

And the road past the Didyma Centre has also been
brick-weaved and a new parking area has been
created ... much better.

Happy Easter