With few exceptions, the weather here has been cool....down to one at night, and up to seven during the day, usually some wind or rain. Better days are ahead...so the forecast says. Friday and Saturday, Christmas is to be 14 degrees, no wind and sun. For the most part, we have been exploring this area of Istanbul, the district being called..Alibeykoy. Istanbul has an excellent rail and bus system, with great prices for residents, (of whom I am one for my time here...that special card !). When I arrived, I put the equivalent of five dollars on the card, and after over two weeks, still have five on it.
The trip to the dune buggies was delayed because of the weather forecast. We decided to stay local for Sunday, and went to a park called, Miniaturk. It is almost half a kilometer square, and has dozens of small scale models of important buildings from all over Turkey, and some physical features such as the hot springs at Pammukale. We spent well over two hours there in the afternoon.
Yesterday, December 21, we took a tour bus...20 passenger type, and went over 100 miles south to the area west of lake Sapanca. We declined to rent a dune buggie because they were extremely noisy, and the trip was up the mountain to play in the snow....I came here to Turkey to avoid the snow! We toured on foot, the local area, watched the bungie jumpers, zip line riders, and avoided the hockers selling everything imaginable. There were stops at honey shops, and so on. As the trip unfolded, it became obvious that the tour company were being paid by the shops to bring people in....also the dune buggie rental companies were in on it. The trip was about twelve hours from the hotel to back at the hotel.
The next few days will be quiet, and no major adventures are planned at this time. I understand that Christmas is just another day here, although there are many decorated trees, and carols are being played in the malls....in English.
I wish everyone a happy holiday season, and stay safe./Don
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