Everyday Miracles Turkey/Bulgaria 2023

• Bruce’s Croc’s from Mark – exactly what he had been thinking of buying!
• Plane from Chicago to Frankfurt for Bruce, Ellie and Kimberlee was three hours delayed. When we arrived in Frankfurt, we had a long bus ride and then a long walk to gate and we still made our plane to Antalya and all our luggage made it!
• Paul and ET arrived on time with their luggage. We found a place with a beautiful view that served GF steak, but it was super tough, but I didn’t want all my chicken, so Paul still had a dinner.
• Sunday arrived at first lodging Goynuk. Had great intro from Els. We were thirsty and hot and cold watermelon showed up from our host.
• Monday on our first hike we read a poem about snakes and then Kimberlee saw one on the trail – transformation…. On our first day of hot hiking, we had cloud cover the entire day. At the end of a long, hot hike there was a breeze.
• Tuesday Kimberlee fell and hurt her left wrist – it would have been so much worse if it was her right wrist. Paul had a cold pack in his new first aid pack we could use. We found a shady and quiet place for lunch.
• Wednesday in our most remote location the host had GF bread for Paul. The driver came early to transfer the bags and was able to take Ellie and Kimberlee to the hospital in the nearby town. The hospital was empty and able to attend to Kimberlee immediately with care, x-rays, consultation with orthopedic doctor and create a brace for her arm. They did not think she needed surgery! The driver was super kind and bought us lunch at the pastry shop and then took us to the tram so we could meet the others at the top of Mt. Olympus. There was a Starbucks at the top of Mt Olympus. After a hard hike because the trail was hard to find Paul, Bruce and ET made it to the top. Kimberlee and Ellie did not have to hike on the slippery scree!!!
• Thursday was a rest day and much needed. The place we stayed had good GF food for Paul. Bruce and Ellie walked to the Chimera at the perfect time to see the flames and still make it back for dinner.
• Friday was another long, hard hike and we all made it to the hotel in one piece! It was super-hot and there were breezes when most needed. There was a man selling drinks at a much-needed rest stop for us. A woman gave ET cold fresh pressed grape juice.
• Saturday Ellie and Kimberlee had another much-needed rest day and they had a fantastic lunch at a colorful river café. On another long, hot hike Paul ran out of water and a man (angel) on a motorcycle shared his water with Paul.
• Sunday, we found Laura at the busy airport and found our van driver- not easy. When we got to Boz run we had a boat ride to our hotel and our hotel was right on the water with stunning views. Abundance beyond any expectation.
• Monday another long, hot hike. We had “Shortie” follow us for miles and were afraid how we were going to get him home when he made himself at home at a hotel near our hotel on the hike. Paul, Kimberlee, Laura, and Ellie were all smart and took the road home when we lost the trail which was definitely the right decision! There was a store for cold drinks when most needed. Bruce and ET managed to find their way back to our hotel. No injuries!!
• Tuesday another long, hot, hike with a great oasis of shade found for a needed rest and lunch. Despite challenges, found our way home. Stopped at seaside café for milkshakes, fries and ice cream.
• Wednesday Boat Day with beautiful weather. Cave for Bruce and ET to have fun exploring.
• Thursday, we had to say goodbye to our Aphrodite Hotel. It was another tough hike and at the scariest steep downhill on rock section there were beautiful purple flowers. Shade and breeze when most needed. After the hike we had a 1 ½ hour ride with a scary driver to our new location. Found a fun restaurant on the river with a good Gin and Tonic and steak for Paul.
• Friday Kimberlee and I decided to not hike. We explored the town and found a pharmacy where Kimberlee could get new gauze and a great grocery store that had Peanut M&M’s. Paul, Laura, Bruce and ET made it home after another hot and grueling hike.
• Saturday everyone took the day off hiking in the heat. Everyone able to do what felt best for them. Scooters for ET and Laura.
• Sunday our transport to the airport forgot to show up. Everyone stayed calm and cool and after contacting Natural Adventure a driver showed up. We still made it to the airport in plenty of time even though we left an hour later than planned. There were GF cookies at the airport for Paul. All went smoothly with transport to our Air B&B. 5 flights of stairs to apartment and our bags and each of us made it. Beautiful view. Had amazing lunch at fun restaurant in Istanbul. Beautiful sunset. Hot tub!
• Monday, we had time for lattes and chocolate croissants before meeting our guide Okan. After all the heat we had a cloudy and cooler day for the tour. Met a man from Wales on our tour who told me about Welsh people settling in Patagonia. A stool for Laura to sit on appeared when she needed it because of weariness at the end of the day trying to figure out our transportation home. Taxi driver willing to take all six of us in one car home!
• Tuesday Paul made it to the airport but missed connecting flight, was able to get on next plane home.