A Day in the Life: Kong Turkey Trot

We got to travel to Turkey with J's family this year. Turkey has been high on J's list of places to visit, and she had high expectations. Let's just say our visit to Turkey met and exceeded everyone's expectations.

Just thought we'd document a few funny Turkey moments:

"We just spent all afternoon wonderling through the wilderness" -- said Mama Kong on Day 2, when we walked forever from the bus stop to Chora church
"Dan must be more tired since his legs are longer. They have to carry the weight of his whole body" -- said Mama Kong. I guess that's because our shorter legs only have to carry half our weight
"How many people in your group, five? Oh six?" -- asked every waiter and ticket collector in Turkey when our family approached them. They never thought to include him in our group... wonder why?
"Do you want us to push you up the hill?" -- asked Joy in Goreme when Mama Kong was having some trouble walking back to our hotel. We did push her up hill as she walked, which supposedly made it an easier walk.

DAY 1: Istanbul

Hagia Sophia

Sultan Ahmed (Blue Mosque)

Basilica Cisterns - Roman underground water system

Local Turkish cuisine, candy, and treats

Our home in Istanbul was by the Galata Tower. It was a an uphill
walk every evening, much to the delight of Mama Kong.

A beautiful view of the Galata Tower that we passed everyday, but never made to the top.

The ironic thing is, that's the only attraction that actually had an elevator!

And, we may have had our first Shake Shack experience in Istanbul too.

DAY 2: Istanbul

Our first express bus ride in Turkey was quite the adventure after it dropped us off in the middle of a freeway. Thankfully, we found a nice Turkish local to show us the way to Chora Church. He showed us how to jaywalk and cross the freeway, which was a once in a lifetime experience for us!

Walking through a Turkish neighborhood.

Kariye (Chora Church)

View of many of the paintings uncovered under a layer of plaster,

Topkapi Palace - where the sultans and their families lived.

View of the Bosphorus from Topkapi Palace

Street Eats of Istanbul

Blue Mosque at night

DAY 3: Istanbul

Istanbul Archaeology Museum

Eating a fish sandwich under Galata Bridge

Grand Bazaar

Taksim Square - where all the protests were held to protect this precious
green space in Istanbul. Of course we had to check it out. No protests going on today.

DAY 4: Ephesus

View of our morning rush to the airport since our taxi service never showed up.

The taxi we found seem to think fitting 6 adults in a small taxi is not a problem.

This is allegedly the house where Mary (Jesus' mother) lived

Ruins of Ephesus - once a great port city with amazing infrastructure.

yes, they had toilets back then and a running water system to flush the waste into the sea.

And, apparently someone loved Elvis back then too. :)

Terrace Homes of the Ephesians. These homes were huge - multi levels with many amenities that we don't even have in our house today. (i.e. heated floors and huge courtyards)

Homes had wall art and floor mosaics that were so well preserved. Apparently this house had naughty children who graffitied their own house with gladiator and animal drawings.