Back in Ortaköy again!

It was a long trip after leaving Halifax Monday night and a bit arduous, with the better (or worse) part of a day spent in Heathrow's Terminal 5, no one's idea of a good time these days.  Then we ended up circling Atatürk Airport for so long we had to land at Sabiha Gökçen to refuel before flying back over the Bosphorus to land where we were supposed to.  But we made it, and that's all that matters, especially when you can go to sleep and then wake up here in Ortaköy.

The Bosphorus, when we checked, was fine.

Because it was after noon, the ships were heading north to the Black Sea.

Kahvaltı (breakfast) at the Cheesecake Cafe was a delight, especially the bal kaymak (clotted cream and honey) on fresh bread, my first taste of Turkish food this visit, a sweet treat!

The fishers were fishing (as usual).

Some istavrit were getting cleaned.

And the fishing boats were bobbing in the wakes.

Pigeons were hanging out in the waterfront trees.

The waffle guys were ready with their own sweet treats.

And there was a good trade in kumpir, baked potatoes stuffed with savoury delights.

Lol found a guy making earrings.  And a waterfront cat was enjoying the sun, just like us. So, if you wondered, as I did, if Ortaköy had changed in the two years since we were last here, the answer is yes, but bir az sadece (only a little), and yes, it is wonderful to be back!