We were on the way to Kusadasi when we stopped over at Cittantica - a newly-built sprawling site of... something. We didn't know what it was, but a string of coaches were stopping, so we had to stop too. What it actually turned out to be was a rather touristy shopping centre done up in the style of a Middle Eastern marketplace with lots of things to buy!
I must say we had a good time exploring the marketplace. It had all things that appeal to tourists in Turkey for sale. Mountains of beautifully boxed Turkish Delight and spices; hand-painted pottery bowls in all colours of the rainbow; hand-made soap; key chains; gorgeous blown-glass tableware; delicate table cloths; and so much more.
Not only that, we had arrived just in time for a show!
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| The elaborate show in Cittantica of dancing ladies and dueling men at a royal court |
After the delights of Cittantica. We were off to Kusadasi, where we stopped for a local lunch of delicious Pide. We walked off lunch with a stroll by the sea.
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| Cruise stopover in Kusadasi |
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| I'd love to live on this hill overlooking the sea |
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| Let's take a break with a view |
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| A beacon in the night |
After Kusadasi, we took a winding drive up into the hills to a little village called Sirince. It is famous for its fruit wine. Other attractions include an old school house-turned-museum; cobble-stoned streets and little shops selling hand-made items of all sorts.
We stopped at a couple of wine shops and had a sip or two (or three) of this wine and that, finally settling on Apple, Strawberry and Melon.
And then, I met a 'boyfriend'. He runs a little shop selling hand-made glass pendants. He helped me make a deep burnt orange one and sold me another. It was quite fun making my own pendant! Alas, I had to say goodbye to him.
The village and the area surrounding it is very picturesque. We enjoyed the view while having a cup of tea and a sit down.
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| Sacred pomegranates |
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| Wine in all colours and flavours |
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| Our friendly wine shop proprietor |
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| Drink, and drink some more |
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| Which do you like best? |
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| Have a smoke? |
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| Hand-stitched dolls for sale. This one reminded me of a gollywog |
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| More fruity wine to choose from |
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| On the streets of Sirince |
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| My 'boyfriend' of a few minutes |
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| The artistic type. He taught me how to make my own glass pendant |
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| Houses on a hill |
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