Sumela Monastery

Sept 16 2012

We drove up the Mountain to visit Sumela Monastery.  It is a historical site now, with gorgeous views, and wonderful paintings.  

You can see it nestled in the dark side of this mtn. 

Here's a closer view. 

You could see Fall starting to turn.  I loved that they have seasons here.  

There were neat little paths, and stonework. 

We passed this guy playing this Black Sea instrument.  

The walk up to the Monastery

Just a lone tree I thought was pretty.

Me and My Honey. 

A view of the opposing mtn. 

Our first look at the neat architecture. 

I love the white stone.

I stuck my camera out the window to take a pic of the drop off. 

The windows had bars on them. 

The old library.

Just a cool little gate

Neat doorway. 

All the beautiful Murals.  (frescos)

And this begins the hike down.  Beautiful.   But a long way down. 

Looking up from this spot. 

And the same river once we got down.  

And then we enjoyed a Turkish dinner.  Drew had Trout straight from the river. 

And to end every meal, gathering, sit down, ................Well really anytime........Cay (Chai).

The amazing view of the city from our new Friend's place.

Flying North

Sept 16 2012

We all slept, and were up early to head to the airport yet again to catch our flight North.  We would spend a majority of our time there and really get to see some of the countryside.  

 I even made a friend on the plane and I got to practice my limited Turkish vocabulary and she got to practice her pretty good English.  

Here are my (as we ride in the car) pics. 

After checking in the hotel we stopped by a Pastanesi (bakery) and had one of our 1st encounters with the staple of Turkish meals.  BREAD (ekmek), I am still full sitting here posting this pic.  I ate enough bread in one week for the entire year. 

While learning the culture, we got to ask the owner questions and hear about the place.  

 I just loved all the little shops.  

On our way to Turkey

Sept 15 2012

I like to think of this picture as our pre hours on a plan look. I could have alternate names also

- Naive travelers

-Pre plane bathrooms smiles

-Pre hours on a plane bed head

-before the Tylenol PM

-While we are still smiling.......

-Without all our massive baggage

Anyway we were really all excited about heading to place we had never been before.

On the way to Houston

Here are my first glimpses of Turkey....

Of Turkey living....... (packed in)

Turkey architecture

 Turkey Traffic........

 Turkey high rises

 The views

We were jet lagging a little bit, and the traffic didn't help some of us (who got sick). But we ate dinner and headed to bed to start the next morning.  Another flight away. 

Soaking up time with my boys

Sept 13 2012

I just know I'm gonna miss my boys so much,  just soaking all the time I have with them before we leave for our trip.