Şirince is a taste of Turkish village life as it was. Nestled on the slopes of the Aegean hinterland, just 8km from Selçuk, a stroll through its steep, cobbled lanes is a step back in time. Originally a Greek village, it’s famous for its production of exotic fruit wines, which can be sampled here. It’s […]
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Travel
Şirince – a taste of Turkish village life
Canakkale to Istanbul (Asian side) by bus
I used Kamil Koc to make the trip from Canakkale to Istanbul. One airline, Onur Jet, offers flights to IST in certain days of the week, but I was interested to enjoy the scenery of this part of the country. There are so many centrally located bus and tour companies in Canakkale, near the Tourist […]
Turkish village – paradise or ‘pipe-dream’?
For years I’ve quietly harboured a simple, secret dream – to find a small, peaceful village somewhere in the milder, sunnier southern regions of Turkey where I might live a healthy, outdoors life, planting and growing green things in the earth. A simple life, surrounded by nature and the warmth and camaraderie of friendly, warm-hearted […]
Esenyaka – the heart and soul of Turkey
Within the province of Sivas, in central Anatolia, sits the tiny rural village of Esenyaka Koyu. With a population of just 1,858 (Wikipedia 2000), the village is a short 15km drive from the nearby township of Susehri. When I came to Turkey, I came in search of this country’s heart and soul. I didn’t come […]
Culture
Turkish Hygiene – Dirty, dirty. Not good.
Having worked in hospitals (Australia) for several years I’m accustomed to the concept of extreme hygiene. I’d have to say, Turkish hygiene comes a close second to the world of medical purity. A Turkish friendship is a lesson in cleanliness. Shoes off at the front door and into the house slippers, reminiscent of Asian home […]
Reality dawns on the Turkish pipe-dream?
Dream: When I’d planned my move to Turkey, I’d always dreamed of living somewhere green and rustic, close to the earth, immersed in structures of rough-hewn wood and cosy kilim furnishings. A romantic notion fuelled by memories of wide-eyed travels through amazing rural places such as Safranbolu, Sirince and Cumalikizik, amongst many others. Reality: So […]
Food & Drink
Künefe – melt-in-mouth, Hatay heaven
Künefe is a luxurious Turkish dessert of warm, shredded filo pastry layers filled with stringy cheese and soaked in a rich, sugary syrup with the tang of fresh lemons. Often served in a copper dish, it has the appearance of baked-golden shredded wheat, usually topped with ground pistachios and served with a dollop of kaymak […]
Turkish Tea – Friends for Life
To share tea and bright conversation with a Turkish friend is one of life’s great joys. The simple act of its preparation brings the sense of calm and familiarity upon which great friendships are built, stories shared, and occasions celebrated. All the elements of this familiar and reassuring ritual – the preparation, the aroma, the […]