Out for our last ride. Time flies.
It's big ring time with a tailwind.
Gary takes it all in.
Ali's car is prepared for the wedding.
The cake was made by a famous Italian chef.
Ali and Fatos.
Gary and Rustem dance with Ali.
Rustem is a dance machine.
Tom gets a dance lesson from Bogac.
Day 11 - Until Next Year
We woke up to one of the most beautiful days yet as far as weather was concerned. This would be our last ride, but first things first - breakfast. It was another trip to the Noel Baba Cafe (no, not in Kale) along the water in the center of Kas. The sun was blaring, the food was great and the cay kept coming.
After breakfast we went back to the hotel to get ready to enjoy our final ride to Kalkan. We were not actually planning to ride all the way to Kalkan, just out for about an hour and then back. Rustem broke off the ride to look at a house leaving Gary and I to have some fun on the rolling hills. It is funny what one can get used to. These small "rolling climbs" are actually the size of Park Ave. in Arlington. Compared to the epic climbs surrounding us, they appeared as mere rollers. Gary and I had fun passing the camera back and forth. When it's digital, who cares how many pictures you take.
We met Rustem back at the hotel who made us some tasty soup before we went into town for some final errands and trip to the barber. We saw Ali (the groom) at the barber getting his last shave before the wedding. Such a different way of life.
The wedding can not be described in words. There was at least 800 people there and did not have some of the familiar formalities found in the US. There was an open floor where the young kids just ran around and played without concern. After a short exchange of vows it was out to the dance floor for a night of dancing. I kept looking around the room which was mobbed with people on 2 levels. The place was decorated with these beautiful bouquets of flowers that different families and various local establishments sent as a gift.
After the wedding we went to a local grocery to pick up a batch of Pop Keks and some Efes for our final night in Kas. It is morning and we are now heading to Antalya and will fly to Istanbul where we have a 13 hour layover. Yes, we have one night in the magnificent city of Istanbul before heading back to Boston.
Thanks for following our trip. I hope you enjoyed it and will join us next year. You will not be disappointed. See you back home.
