Some Turkish Delight in Antalya
I must continue writing and sharing my pictures of Antalya. I was only in Antalya for 7 days, but have so many pictures that I took, and I was only in the Old City for about 4 hours, but also took more than enough pictures. But, can you ever get enough pictures? When you are into taking pictures, it’s never enough!
You might want to take a picture of a big beautiful boat (perhaps it’s a barge) like this, surrounded by other boats with the gorgeous backdrop of the Sea in Antalya.
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The Old City, Antalya
Then, you need to get the rocks centralized, and still get the boats in the picture.
The Old City, Antalya
Then, perhaps find an angle with buildings that will blend in and still give you a picture that has boats and the Sea in it.
The Old City, Antalya
Now, you get all that I described above in one picture.
The Old City, Antalya
Okay, and there I will stop. You get the picture, you just have to take lots of pictures as you don’t know when you might go back – if ever. The wish always of course is when you are there, that you will return. However, life gets in the way many a time, and return visits to certain places is not as possible as perhaps a visit to other places that you just have to go to because either a piece of your heart is there, like mine is in London, or because you have family there and that is somewhere you must go back to or you will lose yourself if you erase that part completely. I will never erase England from my memory, nor do I want to.
The Old City, Antalya
However, this post is about Turkey, and I feel that I have connected somewhat to Turkey – after all – I have vacationed here for a week this time, and been to Istanbul before (for about 8 hours only on a port visit during a cruise), and to Izmir (during the same cruise – but on a different day). Who knows, it seems like Turkey is part of my destiny in some ways – I feel I will return here again.
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
I love these colors, bright red against the green – with the splash of blue in the background – very pretty!
The Old City, Antalya
The picture below reminds me a little of Seaport Village in San Diego. Why am I seeing so much similarity or drifting off to other places during this post? Please forgive me. If you do view the San Diego post, I’m sure you will see some water with exactly the same color as in this one with the fountain.
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
Look at this, don’t you just love the Turkish teapots?
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
I really love this picture below and love that barge – yes I’m going to barge right in, and call it a barge!
The Old City, Antalya
One more thing, I was thinking about the title of this post and since I linked to other pieces that I wrote with Turkish Delight in the titles, I figured why not use these words again, and this time give you a picture or two of Turkish Delight since now I have more than enough pictures of this delicious Turkish treat. So, these two are just for you! By the way, they were delicious!
Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight
Well, I hope you enjoyed my pictures of Antalya. Next time, I might bring you more pictures of Antalya or more of London…..we’ll see. Until then, I hope you all have a terrific weekend, and for those of you in the USA – happy three day weekend!
Out And About On The Way And In Old City, Antalya
My kind of holiday is not actually just a beach and swimming pool type of holiday (vacation). I am more of a sight-seer. I love seeing the sights, and being a tourist. I can’t just sit by the pool all day.
I wanted to go and see something other than the grounds of the Delphin Imperial in Lara Beach, l actually wanted to see Antalya; see Turkey – not just swimming pools and the beach within metres of where we were staying. That wasn’t adventurous enough for me.
Sadly, nobody else in my family (and there were at least 13 of us) wanted to see anything else of Turkey during this trip. I asked the front desk at the Delphin Imperial about what there was to see in Antalya, and they told me they recommended that I see the Old City which is about 20 minutes away from the resort. Apparently, there were public buses that went from right outside the hotel and were really cheap – perhaps just about 2 Turkish lira. Another option was getting a taxi. A third option that I went for was taking the hotel’s private bus – used exclusively for it’s guests and this was a free bus. Well, it didn’t take rocket science to figure out which option was the best. After all, a public bus could be questionable, after all – what if I missed my stop? Would anyone be able to help me, or understand me? A taxi could also be problematic. What if I got a questionable driver, who might take advantage of a woman traveling by herself? I am a little worried about these things these days. Once upon a time, when I was a lot younger, and before I had kids, I was ever so daring – I hitch-hiked around Australia – on my own, and then part of the time with a friend. However, a private bus provided by the hotel – that was just for guests – seemed to be safe, and I couldn’t have made a better choice. I had to reserve a seat, but it didn’t cost me anything. My bus was going to leave at 9:20 am the next morning – I believe it was August 4th, 2014 and I should make sure that I got on the bus at least ten minutes early. When I told my family that I was going to travel by myself – they didn’t stop me – they know that I am a little stubborn, and will do what I want to do to some extent.
Next morning, I had my breakfast, and got on the bus. It was adventure time!
Here are some pictures taken along the way. By the way, the Old City is also known as Old Town too.
close by to Lara Beach, Antalya
This picture shows the sister-property of the Delphin Imperial – the Delphin Diva.
close by to Lara Beach, Antalya
Now, 20 minutes later, I have arrived. I love all the vibrant colors, and feel ever so happy and alive! I feel freedom – I don’t know why. This is what I love – wandering around, seeing things and taking pictures.
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Isn’t the scene below of the frogs incredible?
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Look at how old this building appears to be.
Old City, Antalya
I just had to take pictures of McDonald’s, and no, I didn’t go in to order anything.
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
I love to see buildings like this – after all this is Turkey, and I enjoy looking at architecture.
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
I had no idea that Hadrian’s Gate was here in the Old City. I know I’ve heard of it before – it’s definitely famous, and here it is in the city only 9 miles away from Delphin Imperial, and I almost didn’t see it – if I hadn’t been adventurous. See what you can miss, if you don’t take the plunge and wander about?
Old City, Antalya
In my next post, I will show you more of Hadrian’s Gate, and more of the Old City of Antalya.
Big Ben, Westminster Abbey And St. Margaret’s Church
Can you believe it is now Day Three? I can’t. I am already feeling sad just writing this as if I was still there. My trip to London is half way over (almost). I need to get out of this pessimistic mood and make the most of it! So what to do, just go out there and see it and soak it in!
Admiralty Arch, The Mall
Well, hopefully, you remember that this is close-by to my hotel in Trafalgar Square, so you may have seen Admiralty Arch pictures that I have taken and posted before, but since I walked past this area quite a number of times during my stay, it is befitting to add some of what I saw on the way today to Westminster. We are headed in the same direction as yesterday, as there is nothing wrong with repeating what you just saw yesterday. Today is another day, and you always get a new perspective on the location on different days.
Admiralty Arch again.
Look what’s in the neighborhood of Trafalgar Square, here is a pub named after the great English detective!
Look at this great street – this was the location – well, the rear entrance of the original headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service of London. It’s within walking distance of Trafalgar Square.
Great Scotland Yard
Now, we are in the Big Ben area – what a stunning looking clock and housed in such a magnificent building!
Big Ben with London Eye
Wow, what beautiful architecture!
Westminster Abbey
My daughter in front of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
Of course, I had to take a picture away from my current focus of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and St. Margaret’s Church – but this is London, and why not get a London bus?
London Bus in Westminster
Here is a lovely church – St. Margaret’s Church – right next to Westminster Abbey
St. Margaret’s Church, next to Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben and London Eye
Do you like the name Houses of Parliament of Palace of Westminster? This building is known by both names, but I think most commonly…..Houses of Parliament. I once went in here and loved seeing Members of Parliament debating with each other – quite entertaining!
Houses Of Parliament
Houses Of Parliament #2
Statue of George V
Westminster Abbey
Houses of Parliament/Palace of Westminster
Such sisterly love from my two daughters.
George V Memorial
George V Memorial
This building was right in the vicinity.
Old Palace Road, SW1
Houses of Parliament/Palace of Westminster
Big Ben
Big Ben in the corner
near to Big Ben
Methodist Central Hall
I love Dean’s Yard – I find it so picturesque!
Dean’s Yard, close by to Westminster Abbey
Well, I really must stop now. Do you know I will probably have another post with more pictures of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church featured in it again? Either you will dread it or look forward to it, I hope it will be the latter. Well, until next time!
Incredible Vancouver
Vancouver is so pretty, and if I wasn’t settled here in San Diego, or if my kids weren’t small – I would move to Vancouver – without hesitation. It is easy to get around in this city, in fact I got a train from the airport to my hotel at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver without a problem and for only $8.75 (Canadian) one-way. This video will show you two different sightseeing buses that I took – Hop On Hop Off, which allow you to make the most of your trip, if you are staying for just a short while. Since I stayed for just one day and night on this trip, I had to make the most of my time in this city. This was my second visit to Vancouver, and it certainly won’t be my last.
Here are some of my pictures:
Steam Clock, Gastown – Vancouver
Gastown, Vancouver
Gastown, Vancouver
Hyatt Regency, Vancouver
View from Room 2003 – Hyatt Regency, Vancouver
Hyatt Regency, Vancouver
The Shops at Hyatt Regency, Vancouver
The lobby of the Hyatt Regency, Vancouver
The fries are delicous from this vendor – Bada Bing. I like my food very hot, and the fries were hot until the last one. I asked for vinegar to put on my fries, and hot sauce, and the vendor told me it was not necessary. I listened to him, and was so glad that I did. They put a special sauce on the fries and some onions too, and these fries did not need anything else at all, they were tasty just the way they were. These are a must-try!
Best gourmet fries – Bada Bing, Vancouver
Actually, it was a great thing that I took a picture of the menu board. My fries were the “Animal-Style” made with grilled cheese, and the Bada Bing secret sauce.
Bada Bing Menu
Gastown, Vancouver
View from the Big Bus – Hop On Hop Off – City Tour
Canada Place
Gastown
Robson St. – Vancouver
To view more of my pictures, here is another link that I posted last month Vancouver
I hope you will get a chance to visit Vancouver soon, and you will also see that it is incredible.
Beautiful San Diego
I have decided to start a page where I will add my favorite pictures of San Diego from time to time. It’s no secret that San Diego is one of the best places to live in the world – it’s a tropical paradise with palm trees, the ocean, Legoland, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds, and so many beautiful places to visit. On this page you will find from time to time new additions (might be old pictures or new ones). Of course, my favorite place in the San Diego area is the Hotel Del in Coronado.
If you don’t live in the San Diego area, but would like to visit, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to recommend or book a hotel for you, and to recommend local attractions as well as restaurants.
Cornonado, and the Hotel Del (a must see in San Diego). Marilyn Monroe shot one of her movies here, and many famous people have stayed here, as well as Presidents.
Hotel Del, Coronado – San Diego
Hotel Del, Coronado
Sunset at Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Ocean at Hotel Del, Coronado
The swimming pool at the Hotel Del
Swimming Pool at the Hotel Del, Coronado
It’s so tropical at the Hotel Del
Palm Trees Swaying At The Hotel Del
Some pictures taken at the San Diego Zoo on December 18, 2011.
Orangutan – San Diego Zoo
Koala – San Diego Zoo
These are my three kids at the Zoo last Christmas in 2011.
Cultural Arts Performance at Neurosciences Institute Auditorium, in La Jolla on December 9, 2011
Cultural Arts – San Diego
Hungry for pastries? Try Champagne Bakery in Del Mar – love their Napoleons, and Jesuite pastries.
Champagne Bakery, Del Mar Highlands Shopping Centre, San Diego
You don’t have to go to Las Vegas to find casino’s – we have plenty of them here in San Diego. Sycuan is only 35 minutes away.
Sycuan Casino, San Diego
Great place to visit for the day is the Flower Fields which is in Carlsbad, close to Legoland:
Flower Fields, Carlsbad – San Diego
Balboa Park, December, 2011
Spreckels Pavilion – the scene of the amazing Holiday Tree that opens up to display a nativity scene that is inside the tree. This tree is magical, and changes colors!
Spreckels Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego
We have the wonderful Race Track, which has a Grand Opening Day every year which draws thousands of people from all over the country. There is a hats contest, and a big celebration feel to the day. Opening Day this year is scheduled to be July 18, 2012.
Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego
Another one of my favorite hotels in San Diego is the Manchester Grand Hyatt. This overlooks the San Diego Bay, and is a stunning hotel
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego
Even though I live here now, I am still a tourist in San Diego – it is a very beautiful place.
Please note, these following links are the additions that I was referring to in the post, where you will see more of my pictures of San Diego: Incredible San Diego – La Jolla and Some Places You’ll Want To Escape To
Vancouver
Today is Day 1 of my trip, and it is Thursday, May 10th, 2012. I left San Diego on an early flight and got into Vancouver at around 1:30 pm. I was daring, and took the train which is right outside of the airport to one stop before Burrard Street, I think it was called City Centre. I say daring because I had two suitcases with me, a large one, and then another bag with my laptop, other electronics and paperwork in it. If my third bag, a small carry-on that had to be checked in – hadn’t got misplaced – I would have had to take a taxi or a shuttle bus, but since the airport promised to deliver the delayed bag to me that evening, and since I had only two bags or cases, it was manageable on the train. It was a 35 minute train ride from the airport to the stop which was most convenient to the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver, where I would spend my night. The train ride was only $8.75 Canadian dollars for a one way trip and I purchased my ticket from the machine outside on the platform.
When I got off the train, I asked someone where the hotel was, and it was easy to walk to, just about a block and a half away, probably less than a five minute walk. I checked into the Hyatt Regency, and was very pleased with their check-in and with their level of service. Since one of my bags had been delayed, I informed the front desk about this – so that if I was out in the evening, they could look out for my bag for me. They asked if I needed toiletries, and I told them I was okay, that I had those with me. However, after I had arrived in my room – 2003 – on the 20th floor with the awesome view shown above (fourth picture) – there was a knock on the door, and I was handed a toiletry bag complete with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving stick and shaving cream, and other items. I was really impressed. I loved the room, it had a really nice modern feel to it, and I also loved this hotel – what’s not to love when it has a shopping mall attached right next to it, that you access from the lobby of the hotel, and there is a Starbucks right in the lobby too!
Vancouver is so pretty. Make sure that you allow yourself more than just a day for this beautiful city. I had only one day here, and it was not enough. This was my second visit to Vancouver, I spent about two weeks here previously many years ago. If you have only a short time in Vancouver, I recommend taking the Red Hop On Hop Off Bus which I took, and it allowed me to see much more than if I would have ventured out on my own. There is commentary, and part of the bus is uncovered, which is excellent for those of you who want to take pictures and videos. I will be posting a video soon. Look out for it on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/luchaniktravel
If you would like to see more pictures that I took in Vancouver, please take a look on my Facebook page, and please consider pressing “like” on my page. Thank you. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.433759606649054.105771.182290738462610&type=3 By the way, I love Stanley Park – beautiful place to go and take pictures.
Update: I have another post on Vancouver and a video, you can view it here: Vancouver
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