the turquoise trail

{Sunday October 12th} I got up around 8:30a this morning to a lovely view of the river. I had a shower, and then enjoyed a cup of tea looking over the water in a stellar leather armchair.  Shortly, it was time to get ready and get packed up again. We went downstairs to load the car (without dropping any keys) and met Maeve around 10:30a.  From Chris's apartment, it was a short drive over to Pearl and Tommy's where we met for church this morning. We had a lovely meeting, and met a man who had travelled well across Canada as a country singer in his youth.  We stayed at Pearl and Tommy's for a delicious roast lamb dinner, complete with all the fixings. It was awesome to have some lamb!   We spent the afternoon with them and Maeve, and then headed out shortly before 4p to go to a gospel meeting about an hour south of Belfast, on our way to Dublin.  We got as far as the motorway (barely 1km), before I knew something was wrong. I pulled over to the sid...

Since all Canadians know that summer isn't complete without a cottage getaway, I decided I would write a quick post about my favourite cottage destination ever.. Just north of Muskoka, Pointe au Baril is located amongst the 30000 islands on Georgian Bay, Ontario.  If you're unaccustomed to this Canadian summer tradition, I have compiled a checklist for you.. .. a boat ride out to the bay to watch the sunset: .. sleeping in, and waking up with a view like this: ..starting the day off with a hot cup of tea/coffee & reading on a deck like this: ..in general, taking in views like this: .. Muskoka chairs are a must; no experience is complete without them.  Also, a running jump off of a dock like this: .. those Georgian Bay sunsets, though.. just take it all in, possibly in the company of a good campfire, or dockside yoga: Other items of notable attraction.. .. Hole in the Wall - a short boat ride from Pointe au Baril, this is a narrow channel t...

{Sunday November 3} We got up at 5:30 this morning so that we would have time for breakfast before we leave at 6:30. The guy at the restaurant told me I can't take anything out of the restaurant when I tried to fill my water bottle with tea, but then he said that he just has to say that because there are cameras and he let me take it.  We left the hotel at on time at 6:30. Some of the others put their luggage on the bus too so that they wouldn't have to carry it on their flight. We have 830km to go today; Dr. T says it's 12 hours but I don't think it will take that long, especially since half of it is on a main highway.  Landscape en route to Istanbul We stopped around 8 for a quick bathroom break, and then stopped again shortly after 10 for a snack and a little longer break.  We stopped at a bakery where they were making all kinds of fresh breads, and got a plate of assorted bagels and buns. And of course.. cucumber, tomato and olives. Our driver needs...

{Tuesday October 29th} October 29th is Republican Day in Turkey; 90 years since the Republic of Turkey was formed!  We got up this morning around 6:30 to get ready for the day and went to the dinning room for a buffet breakfast at 7am. There was a very nice variety of foods this morning, including pizza, helva, and lots of cheeses. After breakfast we gathered our things and met at the bus at 8am. Before we boarded the bus, there was a lady selling knit socks and mom bought a pair.  Once we were all on the bus, we travelled 35km out of the town of çanakkale towards Troia (Troy). Along the way we got some mythological and historical information.  Trojan horse used in the movie 'Troy' The inhabitants of Troy are referred to as Trojans, and the Greeks are referred to as Acheans.  The wife of the Priam, king of Troy, had a fire in her stomach, so she sought the advice of the oracle. The oracle advised her that the son she would bear would cause trouble, so...