Travel-Ilse: 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Italy, October 2009

After I had left Turkey I received the news that I would not go to Taba (Egypt) but to Kenya and I would leave only on the first of November (and in the end it was only the 17th of November). Time enough to go back to Italy. Italy does not need many words, it is just there. Beautiful landscape, good food and wine and… all my friends of course…

Monday, October 12, 2009

Summer season in Side…

I am in Kenya right now, but many people ask what I have been doing last season. I spent my second “Thomas Cook” season in Side, 65 km East of Antaly (Kemer lies 65 km West of Antalya and is completely “opposite” of Side)

Training with theory and practical exercises.

Follow the ruler …

After the training a trip to the Turkish Riviera:
Waterfall from Kursunlu

Kursunlu

The old theatre of Myra

colleagues at the theatre…

De lycian toumbs in Myra

Saint Nicholas has been bishop here …

Action & adventure on jeep safari

Waterfalls of Manavgat…

Locals…

While the others go to Cappadocia, I accompany a famtrip: travel agents of Neckermann come to see how the hotels look like. And after that, I start working. The same job as last year.

As our chef thinks we also need some relax once in a while, he organises a crew-day. Is it a coincidence or not, but it is my birthday today……
Fun on the water …
Rafting

Another crew-day in Mai: Green Canyon. Again on the water, but much more relaxed…

On my day off, I go alone for some adventure: parasailing. High up in the sky you have a nice view over Side. But I experience something you hardly can imagine: seasick up in the sky!

June… my niece Melissa on honeymoon. We chat a lot and spoil ourselves in a hamam.

In June starts the “Aspendos festival”. Some calissical concerts can be seen in he old, well preserved roman theatre of Aspendos. The atmosphere, the illumination, the surroundings, the decor… an unique experience of which I take profit.

Aïda.

Carmina Burana, with live orchestra and ballet!

July and August: very high season: not much free time. Just to relax I organise a “spaghetti evening” with my Belgian boys…

The young lady on the picture is Marcela, de Czech tour leader

At the end of August I have again some time for new explorations: Sagalassos was on top of my list…

One week later I go to the east: Alanya Alanya peninsula and port

Ruines from the church and fortress.

Again one week later I leave history and culture behind and look for an unforgettable experience: swimming with dolfins …

Some more adventure: togheter with Elien, girlfriend of colleague Kenny, we go for a day “canyoning”. IN other words: a battle agains hard streaming water …””

Click on the picture to start the video (and turn on the speakers)

Is I have won against the water, satisfaction is very high.

Belgian crew-afternoon. We feel like monkeys …

Mario follows me..

Time for some more culture (as my muscelles are painful) … The theatre of Thermessos

graves in the rocks of Thermessos

2nd of October, season is getting to an end. So I call again all the “Belgian boys & girls” for an evening dive. Unfortunately we didn’t see any turtle.

October 12th, I am flying home. This is the end of my Turkish adventure, also this second season has been very nice. Thanks Perislav, Mario, Evelyn, Freek, Maarten, Kenny, Carl (my Belgian guys) but also Bart S. and Jetske, Charlotte, Liesbeth, Serena, Bart B and all the others. It was nice working with you. Who knows where we will meet again.