One lovely summer weekend, we left our city on Saturday to go visit an island just off the coast with our language and culture teachers. Even though we had visited the island before (just to spend some time on the beach), this trip was quite fascinating!
The plan was to leave on the 8:30 am ferry. Beth and I live a matter of blocks away from the port, so we left our apartment about 8:25 and arrived at the port as people were scrambling onto the ferry. Then we realized that none of our travel companions had called us to ask where we were or why we're late. Unusual. We assumed this meant they were late too. So we called our friends, who assured us that they were pulling up "right now," then went ahead and bought tickets. Our friends literally pulled up in the taxi, rushed through the ticket line, and quickly boarded the boat. We just made it to the top level of seating when the boat closed it's doors and set sail. Thankfully, not even the scheduled ferries depart on time around here.
The ferry ride is generally relaxing if it isn't too crowded. I guess it's fun to me because I'm from a landlocked city, so back home, we have to travel aways to do this kind of thing. But it must not be a big deal to the natives here because the ferry ticket only costs 0,650 TND, which right now is less than fifty cents in US currency.
The plan was to leave on the 8:30 am ferry. Beth and I live a matter of blocks away from the port, so we left our apartment about 8:25 and arrived at the port as people were scrambling onto the ferry. Then we realized that none of our travel companions had called us to ask where we were or why we're late. Unusual. We assumed this meant they were late too. So we called our friends, who assured us that they were pulling up "right now," then went ahead and bought tickets. Our friends literally pulled up in the taxi, rushed through the ticket line, and quickly boarded the boat. We just made it to the top level of seating when the boat closed it's doors and set sail. Thankfully, not even the scheduled ferries depart on time around here.
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| Aboard the ferry, enjoying the breeze and another cup of Joe! |
As the island approaches in the distance, people start congregating near the exits and stairs. Apparently there are only x number of taxis, and if you don't get one...well, you don't get one. However, our 'guides' don't seem the least bit worried. We decided to let them take care of the situation because last time we came on our own, Beth and I ended up not-so-comfortably sharing the front seat.
In a way that is quickly becoming expected, our teacher's uncle owned one of the taxis, so the driver agreed to be at our disposal for the day. She tells us this as he's driving away and we begin walking along the nearly deserted island road with our luggage to the coffee shop. Coffee always comes first around here. Always.
After a nice, little walk to the cafe nearest the port, the taxi returns to take us to the hotel. Beth and I didn't have to share the front seat, just the bench seat in the back with two other people. We won't talk about where safety falls on the list of priorities around here. Coffee first.
We stayed at a grand hotel. Literally, it was called the Grand Hotel. Our teacher got us a good deal at this hotel where a night's stay came with dinner and breakfast, a swimming pool, beach access, and a "sea-view" room with a balcony! It was a sweet set-up.
Next on the agenda was a visit to a museum, which explained traditional life on the island. It's like the educational part of the field trip that ya gotta get out of the way before you get to do the fun stuff. haha. Not really, we actually learned a lot.
One of the island specialities is, obviously, seafood. After the museum we rode to a seafood restaurant on the other side of the island. And when I say seafood restaurant...I mean seafood restaurant - they ONLY served seafood or fish. Too bad Brandi's not so much a lover of the seafood. So, we asked if they had anything other than seafood, and the waitress goes to the kitchen then says, "We actually have some chicken." Hmmm, right. Oh well. I took my chances and didn't ask questions. I think it was chicken. Beth and the rest of the crew enjoyed some outlandish seafood dishes.
Coffee...check.
Museum...check.
Seafood...check.
What's lacking? Yes, more coffee and the beach! We played on the beach at the hotel for a few hours, then enjoyed a buffet dinner. More coffee, a lil game of hide and seek, and star gazing by the water concluded the breezy evening.
Sunday we were in for a real treat when the taxi driver set up a day of fishing for us. After collecting some groceries for lunch we made our way to the boat. The plan was to catch fish and then cook them for lunch. I wasn't thrilled about going fishing because when I used to go with my dad, it mostly just meant a lot of waiting, touching ooeey gooey stuff, and a terrible stench. Traditional fishing in the Med is completely different! We had the best time.
Needlessly to say, the fishing adventure was a unexpected way to spend the day. There's just something about being on water that is so relaxing! I love it. Although we were all pretty wiped out when the day of sun was done.
The sun apparently worked a number on me because after our swim, I had the klutziest day! It all began with attempting to gracefully get back into the fishing boat. Yeah, the ones that aren't exactly designed for retrieving humans out of the water. The friends tell me that once I was half-way in the boat, I just continued to keep kicking aimlessly at the air. However, I got in the boat and earned the nickname, "Nemo," for my floundering like a fish into the boat.
On our way to the ferry, I fell flat on my booty waiting for the taxi...I blame that one on the imbalance of my luggage.
The real stinker was on the ferry. We were walking down the stairs back to our seats. There was a nice old lady sitting on like the 2nd or 3rd step by the rail, so I let go of the rail and walk around and somehow fall down like 4 stairs. Was it 4 steps exactly? Yes, cause I felt every one of them. It was one of those laugh/cry moments when we returned to our crowded and strewn out seats. Then of course, all the strangers around me want to know what's going on, so Beth did get to practice some language skills with some sweet ladies while I "licked my wounds."
A trip to the beach seems incomplete without mentioning how amazing a Father we serve, who created such beauty! He is worthy of all praise!
In a way that is quickly becoming expected, our teacher's uncle owned one of the taxis, so the driver agreed to be at our disposal for the day. She tells us this as he's driving away and we begin walking along the nearly deserted island road with our luggage to the coffee shop. Coffee always comes first around here. Always.
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| Walking the island streets to get...coffee. |
After a nice, little walk to the cafe nearest the port, the taxi returns to take us to the hotel. Beth and I didn't have to share the front seat, just the bench seat in the back with two other people. We won't talk about where safety falls on the list of priorities around here. Coffee first.
We stayed at a grand hotel. Literally, it was called the Grand Hotel. Our teacher got us a good deal at this hotel where a night's stay came with dinner and breakfast, a swimming pool, beach access, and a "sea-view" room with a balcony! It was a sweet set-up.
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| The girls' suite - I love the blue decor! |
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| Our balcony view |
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| The hotel grounds |
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| A quick pose while we're waiting for the taxi. |
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| Viewing the artwork and eating a lil snack (coffee isn't always sufficient) |
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| Baskets used to catch squid, crabs, and other fish. |
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| In the belly of a whale (or some other large sea creature, some things get lost in translation) |
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| Yes, that's octopus tentacle. Yes, she ate it. |
Coffee...check.
Museum...check.
Seafood...check.
What's lacking? Yes, more coffee and the beach! We played on the beach at the hotel for a few hours, then enjoyed a buffet dinner. More coffee, a lil game of hide and seek, and star gazing by the water concluded the breezy evening.
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| Fun in the sun! Can you guess who's who? |
Sunday we were in for a real treat when the taxi driver set up a day of fishing for us. After collecting some groceries for lunch we made our way to the boat. The plan was to catch fish and then cook them for lunch. I wasn't thrilled about going fishing because when I used to go with my dad, it mostly just meant a lot of waiting, touching ooeey gooey stuff, and a terrible stench. Traditional fishing in the Med is completely different! We had the best time.
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| It was a little boat like this that we went fishing in |
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| Transporting the girls and the food to the boat, poor guy. |
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| These nets constantly remain in the water. Notice the V shape near the top of the photo, they say this channels the fish into the circle area. Then they can't get out so they swim toward the channel on the right, straight into the trap. |
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| This is fishing on the Med. |
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| If you look closely, you might see the fish, crabs, and squid he caught. |
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| Enjoying our catch on the boat after a swim in the Med. The uncooked fish are in the laundry basket. The round thing at the back of the boat is the "grill." |
Needlessly to say, the fishing adventure was a unexpected way to spend the day. There's just something about being on water that is so relaxing! I love it. Although we were all pretty wiped out when the day of sun was done.
The sun apparently worked a number on me because after our swim, I had the klutziest day! It all began with attempting to gracefully get back into the fishing boat. Yeah, the ones that aren't exactly designed for retrieving humans out of the water. The friends tell me that once I was half-way in the boat, I just continued to keep kicking aimlessly at the air. However, I got in the boat and earned the nickname, "Nemo," for my floundering like a fish into the boat.
On our way to the ferry, I fell flat on my booty waiting for the taxi...I blame that one on the imbalance of my luggage.
The real stinker was on the ferry. We were walking down the stairs back to our seats. There was a nice old lady sitting on like the 2nd or 3rd step by the rail, so I let go of the rail and walk around and somehow fall down like 4 stairs. Was it 4 steps exactly? Yes, cause I felt every one of them. It was one of those laugh/cry moments when we returned to our crowded and strewn out seats. Then of course, all the strangers around me want to know what's going on, so Beth did get to practice some language skills with some sweet ladies while I "licked my wounds."
A trip to the beach seems incomplete without mentioning how amazing a Father we serve, who created such beauty! He is worthy of all praise!
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| A sunset view of our city! |
