Last night was Lobster Night, and Celebrity did not disappoint. We started with shrimp cocktail (me) and a crabcake (Charlie). Then our server brought us each TWO lobster tails. The photo shows only one, because we forgot to take it before diving in. Baked potatoes weren’t on any of the menus, but we asked and got them. Our server also insisted on bringing the lamb chops, and Charlie enjoyed one of them. For dessert we shared baked Alaska, not pictured since a white dessert on a white plate isn’t that pretty. But it was tasty!
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| Crabcake |
This morning we sailed into Kusadasi after the sun was up, so Charlie took photos from our balcony.
Our first stop was for a traditional Turkish breakfast at this place.
We sampled several cheeses, along with a Turkish bagel, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, olives, and hard-cooked eggs, as well as hot tea served in the traditional tulip glasses. Leesa showed us how to open up the bagel to hold cheese and/or vegetables.
Then we visited a nearby mosque.
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| Men sit on the stools to wash their feet and hands before entering the mosque. |
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| Interior view of the area for men |
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| Area for women above, behind the curtain |
Next, we stopped for Turkish coffee and sampled Turkish delight. The coffee wasn’t actually muddy, as our guide in Rhodes had warned!
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Sweet pea bush (or Myrtle-leaf milkwort)
Next we tried a local delicacy often made with meat, but this time with wheat mixed with spices and olive oil. The dish, served in lettuce leaves and drizzled with pomegranate syrup, is called çağ köfte. It was quite spicy, but fun to try something completely new to us.
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As we walked back to the waterfront, we saw this statue commemorating peace, as well as the homing pigeons trained to carry military messages. By the way, Kusadasi means Bird Island.
Our next stop was for traditional dumplings, which we got to see being shaped by hand before we ate them. Filled with meat, they are briefly cooked and then served over Turkish yogurt and sprinkled with dried mint and sumac. This was our favorite dish! I could have finished it, but we still had other stops to make.
As in Rhodes, cats were everywhere! Charlie took this photo of a woman feeding a group of cats. Leesa explained that the cats are neutered, and their ear is notched to show that they’ve had the surgery.
This beautiful flowering vine in front of a beauty shop caught my eye.
At our next stop we got to sample what we’d call a gyro in a wrap. It was really delicious! With it, we tried a yogurt-based drink that reminded us of buttermilk. It was good with the wrap!
Next up was a visit to a Turkish bathhouse that has been in the same location since the Ottoman Empire. This is the reception area, with changing rooms off to the sides.
In the next room were toilets and showers, with a central marble area to lie down while being scrubbed. The heat and humidity were noticeable, but the next room was REALLY hot!
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| The hottest area surrounded by benches |
From there, we visited a huge ceramic shop and studio that have been in the same family for generations. I wish I had room to bring home some of the beautiful bowls and dishes.
Finally, we ended our tour with a wonderful meal near the port at what Leeza called a fish place. You can see our ship in the background.
Charlie tried a local beer and enjoyed it.
We got to try several dishes. The first photo shows a yogurt and shredded carrot dish, shrimp cooked in butter, and sun-dried tomatoes and peppers.
This photo includes fried zucchini and onion patties and calamari.
Finally, we tried three kinds of baklava, bought at an earlier stop. Beautiful and delicious !
Our guide told us that after college and working in event management, she earned a master’s in tourism management. It was great to have such a professional guide!
Tomorrow we’ll dock at Santorini Island in Greece. Our tour there begins at 7:30 a.m.!
What an epic day! The dumplings did look delicious. You have had some great guides on this trip!
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