Greece was an amazing trip. We fit many things in in just a short amount of time. Our journey started when we flew straight from Istanbul to Athens. We had a layover in Athens for almost 9 hours! So with that time we decided to take a little trip to the Acropolis that was nice, seeing the center of civilization from a looooong time ago. (You will see the pictures of that in the first couple of slides.) From Athens we took the tram back to the airport and from there we took a short flight to Santorini. We got to the Santorini airport at 11:35 and we were worried about making it to our hotel because the office closed at 12:00. Somehow we made it in time to our place. The next morning we were all up early ready to explore with the Gilsons. Santorini may be one small island but there sure is a lot to do there, including, many restaurants to eat at, places to hike too, volcanos to be seen, sun to tan in, and pictures to be taken. I personally enjoyed all the time spent at the beach. If I had it my way, we would have spent all day - every day at the beach. The Aegean waters are so clean and clear, they feel so nice to swim in! Oh, and the views it feels like you are literally on top of the world. (some great photo points) Greece is also a great place to eat seafood. I feel like I gained 5 pounds on that trip because I ate soooo much seafood. One of my favorite days was when we took a boat ride to the volcanic island. It was a really fun experience. We got to actually hike the active volcano. I could see steam rising out of the tip. I could also feel the heat coming off of the volcano. That was a nice hike but man was it hot. | Next on the list was the hot springs. The boat then docked next to a mountain, and before I knew it all of these people started jumping off of the boat into the sea. So we followed them just jumping into the cold sea waters. We then started swimming towards the cove in the mountain, (where the hot springs were) the closer to the mountain you got, the warmer it got. It started to smell like sulfur and get really crowded because all these people wanted to feel these hot springs. It got to a point to where we could stand. I was ready to stand when i then felt something slimy on my foot. Now that was gross. It felt like mud mixed with slime. I looked up and saw Brenda's expression was the same as mine, disgusted. I finally decided to suffer the pain/ disgust and stand. I then saw that people were standing on the rocks covering themselves in this so called mud. At first I was just purely disgusted. But then I thought, this could serve as some sort of mud bath that you would usually pay for at a spa. Well not really but it helped me think of it not as gross. Hey, it was an experience that I needed to have. So I proceeded to cover my whole body in this mud, just as everyone else was doing. It turned out that I was the bravest in my group, my mom was willing to do a bit over half of her body and my dad just his face. My dad thought that it was "too messy" and my sister was just stunned how anyone could want to do such a thing. And John Gilson just stayed out in the ocean. lol. Well, that was the end of the boat trip. We then got back on the boat and were taken back to the main island. ~Post By Sierra |
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Two weeks in Croatia road tripping from the northern region of Istria to the southern tip of Dabrovnik with a short detour through Bosnia. Four kids, and Mike's two wives, Jenny and I, had an adventure of a lifetime. The photos are divided by the regions visited with accompanying highlights from "the unit" or "team JK" we called ourselves: the Kepplers and Johnsons touring together. Croatia is a beautiful country with amazing beaches and historic sites. Before moving onto the next destination we each made sure to stop and reflect on memories and stories from the area. Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited and I have a newfound fondness of the Adriatic and appreciation for the relationship I share with my sister-in-law as well as the cousins time together. Northern region: Istria This area is sometimes referred to as the "new Tuscany" with green rolling hills, fertile plains, hilltop villages, and mazes of vineyards interwoven among the scenery- all this backed up to a rugged coastline. It's also well known for culinary pleasures, particularly white and black truffles from Buzet, gnocchi, and grilled calamari (which we tended to feast on daily). While Mike doesn't have quite the same pallet for slow cooked foods, Jenny and I looked forward to the next stop on our Foodie tour through this region. Here are the highlights from team JK. Jenny- Lunch in Buzet where she ate a gnocchi and a truffle pasta dish Swimming in the Adriatic Exploring Buzet on a rainy day Axel Getting stuck in the rain on a cobblestone street in Buzet Finding sea glass along the shore Swimming out into the open Adriatic Sea Wrestling Uncle Mike Aleah Swimming in the crisp, clear Adriatic waters Marching/hiking along the rocky shore on the dirt path in nature Spending time with my cousins and Auntie Mike Colosseum in Pula is one of the biggest in the world and dates back to 30 BC Getting ice cream and watching the World Cup in Novigrad Eating mushroom soup in Saboror at Gambric (I counted 14 different types of mushrooms) Sierra Swimming iin the Adriactic ocean, especially the local place in Pula Eating ice cream in Novidgrad Slow cooked 3 hr meal in Buzet Lily Staying at the Alice house Eating salami sandwiches at Lim Fjord Swimming European style at the local beach in Pula after getting overheated Eating apple ice cream in Novigrad Bouncing on the trampoline in Novigrad Christa Hiking along the Adriatic coastline from Umag Visiting the graveyard in Samboror Wine tasting at Kolevic in Monjun and on the side of the road at the homemade grappa and wine hut Brandy tasting in Buzet and the slow cooked meal of truffle gnochhi Exploring the old town side streets of Buje and the graveyard on the hillside with the vineyards in the backdrop Sipping fresh squeezed limonade in Rovinj and people watching Zadar region: Zadar is one of the main cities among the Dalmatian Coast. Our "Tara" apartment was within walking distance to Old Town and the beach. We also had our very own yoga studio attached and Jenny led our daily family yoga workshops. Zadar is defined by its marble, traffic free streets, old Roman ruins and proximity to parks and the water. We ate at "Bruschetta" and enjoyed a plate of "John Dory" followed by a moonlit walk along the promenade at night. Zadar taught us to not always trust your first impressions, especially when arriving to a new destination hot and tired- this place was a gem and we loved the artistic touches of our apartment. Jenny No itinerary Everything was within walking distance Yoga studio attached Being pleasantly surprised by a place we arrived at tired from a long drive and having it become a favorite spot Aleah Playing in the waves and jumping off the dock at the Zadar beach Morning yoga with Jenny and playing tag in the studio I loved sleeping with my cozy cloud blanket Sierra Baby shrimps in Pesto at Bruschetta restaurant Swimming at the beach Having my own bedroom and sleeping in Lilly Going to the beach and jumping off the dock; going European style Falling out of my bed at night Axel Swimming all day and playing at the beach Making forts in our room I shared with Aleah Eating pizza Mom Taking in the many flavors of Zadar and learning about the city from other Croats Walking along the promenade at night Dancing in the square to traditional Croatian music with the family Our stay at Tara's apartment- artistic flare with brightly colored walls, a yoga studio and our private yoga sessions with my sista Mike Watching the World Cup- US vs. Germany in the town square The proximity of our apartment to the beach and town Brac Island: This island is the longest in central Croatia and is surrounded by several others. The main export from this island is stone and, in fact, the White House in DC was constructed out of it. Upon arriving to the island we drove about 20 minutes along narrow winding roads to a small village along the coast, Provja. It was beyond charming and one of those untouched places where time has stood still: one local bar, a corner market and two fish restaurants selling the catch of the day. Keys for our apartment were left in an envelope at the local restaurant and we had to use our resourceful navigation skills to find the place (asking the locals). Another village we'd love to return to someday and have many stories to tell from our stay. Aleah Swimming at the town beach and finding little baby crabs. Riding on the little boat to a different town. Playing at the beach in the new town and eating an amazing meal there. Axel Eating the amazing ice cream next to our little place. Playing at the beach on the different island. Eating the great fish and the wow octopus on the other island. Lily Being on the little boat. My mom kissing me before bed and during the day. Aunty Christa and I sitting on the dock chatting it up and having tea time. Aunt Jenny Our surprise day in Bol. The quaintness of Povlja which is our little town. Eating octopus tentacles on Luka island. Mike Watching the World Cup at the corner bar with a view of the Povlja Bay Quiet, quaint town free of traffic and tourism The boatride to the secluded beach Christa Waking up to the sound of a rooster crowing, followed by the town dog barking, baby crying and all the morning glory of a Povlja's small village charm In Povlja time has stood still- people spend time in front of their shops talking about the day's news over a cappuccino or Karlovacka beer Finding special swimspots along the Adriatic, on Luca Island or off the point Our boat trip to Luca Island, the views of the mountains in the backdrop, and eating a home cooked meal of octopus, recommended by Jelco at the family restaurant that had been passed down from generations Meeting Maryanna and feeling immediately welcomed to our special Stone House Dubrovnik: Quite a spectacular and enchanting city encircled by a stone wall. We spent a day driving along the coastline, passing through Bosnia and stopping in Ston for their famous wild oysters. Arrived to Cavtat, about 20 minutes outside of Dubrovnik, and stayed at an apartment within walking distance from the bay. While our stay was brief, walking the city wall, our visit to the swimming hole and monastery on Lokum island and sunsets in Cavtat made for another memorable stop. Croatia is an oasis of eye-feasting natural beauty and swimming in the Adriatic during the heat of the day always awakened our senses. Enjoy the pics! There's nothing quite like spending quality time with a girlfriend and showing her the life we're living here in Istanbul. She had a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the city by exploring the Grand Bazaar, visiting a Hamam, and many other attractions. We also spent a few quiet and relaxing days in Bodrum, a town on the southern coast of Turkey along the Aegean Sea. So blessed by our friendship. |
AuthorChrista Keppler Archives
July 2015
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