Getting in touch with our Samian roots

We took the one and a half hour ferry ride from the Turkish port of Kusadasi to Mum's childhood home on the Greek Island of Samos. The kids were super excited when they saw Theo Kosta waiting for us at the port of Vathi.

Here they would get a small taste of Samian life as they met their cousins Kosta and especially their cute little cousin Mary.




Arriving into Vathi












The kids set out with Theo Kosta to pick up Mary from school. They were so excited.




Language didn't seem to be a barrier, with Allanah and Lucas' limited Greek and Mary's limited English the conversation flowed consistently. Ahhh kids!










Family gathering, I hadn't seen my cousins for 10 years.







We decided to spend our 2 nights by the sea side in Psilli Ammos, the location was great but don't know about the mossies that continued to attack us over the course of the next two days. Poor Lucas who is allergic copped it the worst, he had over forty bites.










Part of the journey to Samos was for the kids to see where Yiayia had grown up. We parked our van at the bottom of the village of Ano Vathi and walked the steep climb up into the village. Mum did a lot of reminiscing telling the kids stories and showing them the spots she'd scraped her knees, been chased by fellow class mates. Lots of fun!










The house mum grew up in!









The view of Vathi from the top of the village.










A well deserved ice cream break.









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Location:Samos, Greece

Some respite in Selcuk

The weather in Central Anatolia, was hot and we thought we'd get a bit of respite when we arrived closer to the Aegean Sea. Though we didn't choose to stay by the sea in Kusadasi instead choosing the more village like atmosphere of Selcuk, we though the weather here would be cooler. The fact is we felt like melting Popsicles not even having sent a 1/2 hour roaming the ancient ruins of Ephesus.

Mum and Dad chose to spent the next two days just relaxing in the house we rented overlooking the Church of St.John in the village. We could of done the same as we were all starting to feel a bit touristed out. We did forego our plans to visit Pamukkale and Hierapolis as it all got a bit too much. We only managed a visit to Ephesus and spent the rest of our time chilling out.

We could of spent more time in Selcuk as there are so many things to see in the surrounding area. We had space to spread out here staying in a 4 bedroom house over three levels with a swimming pool to cool off. We definitely will be back!

A smelly horse drawn carriage ride to the entrance of Ephesus. Hot, hot, hot.









Arriving at Ephesus









An impromptu history lesson for the kids with Cleopatra














The famous Library of Celcus













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Location:Selcuk, Turkey

Cappadocia - Balloon rides & Underground cities

Cappadocia is one of the best places in the world to take a Hot Air Balloon flight. Not only is the landscape impressive from above but on any given day there are approximately sixty to seventy balloons in flight. Mum and Dad consistently refused to fly but we finally convinced them. Mum held on for dear life with white knuckles on the basket when we reached 1300m. I don't think she regrets the experience! The early morning wake up call was sure worth it!





































A bit of fun with the crew, the pilot picked Dad up, threw him over his shoulder onto the deflated balloon.








The next couple of days left in Cappadocia we spent visiting the Goreme Open Air museum, the underground city of Kaymakli, the village of Uchisar, and Uchisar Castle, the large village of Avanos famous for ceramics, and the sleep village of Ortahisar known for the death of over 200 residents in the 60's when the cave houses carved into the rock in the centre of the village collapsed due to the over building or lack of planning when residents continued to renovate their cave houses,digging more rooms as their needs changed. they now live in more mainstream houses and the caves are now abandoned.

Relaxing after an early morning balloon flight at the Kelebek Hotel.












A rare moment out on the town in Goreme with no kids in tow




Visiting the Goreme Open Air museum.













Kaymakli city is a maze of tunnels and rooms carved eight levels underground. The Byzantines spent months underground at a time when enemies were close by. There are stables, kitchens, wine cellars, even underground rooms to store the dead until it was safe to come up and properly bury them.








Visiting Uchisar village to climb to the top of Uchisar fortress. Amazing views from the top.








Devrent Valley

















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Location:Cappadocia, Turkey