3/1–Kusadasi afternoon

Out of the car and on the streets, we just sort of walk through town, looking for a grocery store to try to buy Effes beer.  We aren’t very successful and end up in the old town, by the market looking for a place to have at least a glass of beer and wine.  We find a great place on a corner of the old town streets – who knows the name, it just looked cute and had a bar – that’s our criteria. Oh, and free wi-fi.

We settle in an outdoor table and order Effes for Ed and white wine for me. I’m taking a chance…figured what the heck, normally Turkish wine is like Greek – awful – but we’ll see. Turns out this was excellent, so I had no problems today. Phew!

Even though it was late in the day, we’d had no lunch, so we decided to have a little snack while we were there.  We choose the Kabop Iskander – a local specialty with tomato sauce and yogurt. We figured why not, something different.  And different it was – but very good – they put pita under the meat and sauce, so it soaked up everything and when dipped in the yogurt, it was really, really yummy. We sat for a while, enjoying the ambience.  Met a lovely Irish couple who had a holiday home in town – right on the marina- and have owned it for 13 years (way before the boom).  They visit for about 4 months every year, and are regulars here at the restaurant. Big hugs from everyone, all the guys are talking to them. They are very fun and lovely and spend a nice time just chatting.

We finally tear ourselves away, still searching for grocery stores with beer, and still unsuccessful.  Both stores we find have no alcohol. We are thinking this might be a Turkish thing.  We’ll see what we find in Istanbul.

Back to the ship, we hang out on the balcony watching everyone straggle back to the ship – and then the sunset.  One of the more spectacular one’s we have seen – and we’re still at dock – overlooking Pigeon Island (the island with the castle on it in the bay).  Beautiful.

Everyone is finally back aboard – and we sail off into the ever darkening night – next stop Istanbul.