Bugs under the Macro

So you may recall my failed attempt at arachnology last year where a little spider jumped onto my camera as I was trying to take pictures of it's web.  There were no spider pictures because it freaked me out, and I opted for homemade baklava pictures instead.

Hello Ladybug, Sarkoy, Turkey

This year I overcame that fear.  Well, kind of.  I found some kinder, gentler insects to experiment on.

Lesson learned:

• Bugs do not stop.  They are prima donnas and often turn their backs to the camera.
• The ladybugs in Sarkoy, Turkey have an orange-ish tint to them.  The ones in the US I am used to are very red. 

Sunbee, Sarkoy, Turkey

What does one do on a Blue Voyage anyway?

Taking a holiday on a boat may not seem like the most relaxing thing to do. It could be boring, right?  I promise, its not.  And as an added bonus, this is one of the few places left in the world where you can wake up and have no access to internet, or mobile phones.

Mavi Yolculuk, Blue Cruise, Bodrum, Turkey

Lunch - Fresh, local produce and grilled fish!

Approaching the next bay.
Bodrum, Turkey

If life or work is a bit stressful and you need a get away, its worth considering.  The daily itinerary goes a bit like this:

That first big jump off the boat is one to remember.
Bodrum, Turkey

- Wake Up (after sleeping on deck under the stars)
- Change into bathing suit, or just roll off side of boat directly into the sea for a morning swim.
- Finish swim.  Breakfast is ready for you.
- Shower, or later if you like
- Decide what secluded bay to go to next
- Enjoy the view
- Swim again
- Maybe go to another bay, or not.
- Swim, nap, liesure time.
- Lunch
- Move on to the next bay and swim
- If there is a remote island with ruins on the way, you can explore, or not.
- Swim some more.
- The captain will also likely have some string on board if you want to try your luck at fishing
- Turkish tea time
- Decide where to head for sunset
- Last swim before dinner
- Shower
- Enjoy sunset drinks and dinner
- Chat with friends, laugh a lot.  Maybe play cards or something like this.
- Sleep

Notice there is really no exact timing for this.  While you do ideally want to be settled by sunset, the day is yours and you are free to roam.

Food consists of fresh, local produce.  Often from the captain's own village!  And of course fresh fish.

And don't be afraid to shop around... its not as expensive as you would expect.  There are boats to fit every budget.  They can be very cost effective and cheaper than some of the best hotels.

So what are you waiting for?  There is still one month of summer left, so enjoy!

Napping during a Mavi Yolculuk in Turkey

The Blue Voyage

I grew up in Texas and spent many memorable summer days with my friends at the Gulf of Mexico. I often do not remember everything from high school, but those carefree days at the beach are some of the most vivid.  The smell of salt and sand mixed with coconut suntan oil are still just as vivid as laughing so hard I could cry or pee my pants - or both.  These smells and the sound of me and my friends singing to Def Leppard, Poison, or our favorite classic rock tapes from the 60's and 70's are what I most often recall.

Just about 15 years ago I stepped foot on a random gulet boat in southern Turkey for a day trip near Bodrum.  Enter my second love affair with the sea.

Turkish Gulets in Bodrum, Turkey

Deep Blue Sea
Bodrum, Turkey

I can still remember being in awe of the water and how blue, clean and cool it was.  It's blue was so hypnotizing I could not stop looking at it.

Since then I have taken several of these trips called mavi yolculuk, or blue voyages, by day or for several days with friends.  The smells are similar - salt, sea and sunscreen.  We still listen to our favorite music, but now on iPods instead of cassettes.  We still laugh very hard until we cry, or almost pee our pants - well, I can't speak for everyone on the boat, but we laugh a lot.

I always bring a book, but I honestly am never able to read much.  The sea is so blue I can only stare.

Yes, the water is that blue, and there are that many fish.    Bodrum, Turkey

There is still a lot of untouched nature to experience from a Blue Voyage.
Bodrum, Turkey

Dubai Global Village

Lanterns in the Turkish section of Dubai Global Village

Another fun thing to do when the weather is good in Dubai is head out to Global Village.  Located off of Emirates Road, Global Village is a kind of amusement park, market and festival.  It only runs a few months a year in winter, and is usually close to the Shopping Festival.  It brings together traditions and goods from many countries and cultures around the world.  There are also shows with local dances from each country, different foods to try and many rides and games for the kids - and big kids too.  

A painter in the African market of Dubai Global Village

My favorite part is the market.  Each country has a market in a different section with several vendors.  There are so many countries participating that I have still never been able to make it through all the countries.  

There are a few I do not miss.  The Turkish market is always crowded - great olives, cheese and Turkish goods.  They also had some good looking lahmacun and live music this year.  

Spices at the Global Village in Dubai

There is also one honey for "married only".  My husband was out at the rides with my son while I shopped, so the vendor would not let me taste any!  I don't know what the big deal is because I am married. The honey claims to be a miracle cure.  According to the description, it could cure any reproductive ailment you could think of - both male and female! Move over Dr. Oz, I've found the next cure-all!