{"id":2789,"date":"2012-02-01T16:24:00","date_gmt":"2012-02-01T21:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jjcaptures.com\/?p=2789"},"modified":"2017-05-14T21:16:03","modified_gmt":"2017-05-15T02:16:03","slug":"greece-turkey-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/travel\/greece-turkey-2011\/","title":{"rendered":"Greece & Turkey 2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

Given that we went to Greece and Turkey in June of 2011, this post is waaayyy overdue.\u00a0 But as they say\u2026 Better late than never, right?<\/p>\n

Since our Euro trip in 2010 (see Europe 2010<\/a>) was such a success, we decided to do round two in June 2011 by traveling to Greece and Turkey.\u00a0 Sunil & Jereena, two of our very close friends in New York, were originally scheduled to join us too, but had to cancel at the end unfortunately.\u00a0 Unlike our last trip which was pretty well organized, the theme of this trip was \u2018The road less travelled\u2019.\u00a0 With that theme in mind, we merely gathered information about some of the landmarks we wanted to hit and that was the extent of our planning.<\/p>\n

In Greece, Athens was our base and we spent our first day checking out the Parthenon and adjacent ruins.\u00a0 The next day we traveled to Delphi to visit the famed temple of Apollo and the site of the Delphic oracle.\u00a0\u00a0 For the next few days, we left the mainland and headed to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos before returning to tour the capital.\u00a0 We were a bit concerned about safety in and around Athens, but we got lucky and didn\u2019t encounter any violent rioting during our time there.\u00a0 We heard that the riots in Athens turned violent during our stay at the islands.\u00a0 Suprisingly, the island folk\u2026 in typical island fashion\u2026 went about their lives as if the problem back at the mainland didn\u2019t even exist!\u00a0 Santorini and Mykonos are both extremely beautiful islands, and if any of you are considering destinations in Europe, we give a big thumbs up to the Aegean archipelago.\u00a0 Neethu loved Mykonos so much that she wants to retire there someday!\u00a0 After roaming around the islands, we returned back to base to spend another full day in and around the capital to check out the Roman and Greek agoras and other ruins.<\/p>\n

After our time in Greece was up, we hightailed it to Istanbul for the rest of our vacation.\u00a0\u00a0 One thing that took us aback from the moment we landed was the cost of living\/vacationing in Istanbul.\u00a0 Hotels are ridiculously expensive compared to other major cities.\u00a0 Istanbul is split by the Bosphorus river thereby making it part of both Europe and Asia.\u00a0 This unique geography has put Istanbul in the crossroads of trade, culture, dynasties, and mass movement of people since antiquity.\u00a0 Consequently, modern day Istanbul is quite eclectic and that only adds to its charm.\u00a0 We spent most of our time on the european side of town, which tends to have more of the historic landmarks in addition to well situated tea gardens where we spent the majority of our evenings during our stay there.\u00a0 As usual, before we knew it our vacation time was up, and it was time to bid adieu to Europe once again.\u00a0 Hope you guys enjoy the pictures!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"First<\/a><\/td>\n\"On<\/a><\/td>\n\"Signs<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Massive<\/a><\/td>\n\"Remains<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7216_7_8_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Urban<\/a><\/td>\n\"J&C<\/a><\/td>\n\"Not<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Peaceful<\/a><\/td>\n\"Protests<\/a><\/td>\n\"Greek<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_7305\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Quiet<\/a><\/td>\n\"Mt.<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_7363_4_5_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7354_5_6_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7357\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Wonder<\/a><\/td>\n\"Perhaps<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7386\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Reminds<\/a><\/td>\n\"Mountain<\/a><\/td>\n\"Theatre<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_7460\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7462\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"The<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Baby<\/a><\/td>\n\"The<\/a><\/td>\n\"Naxian<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Our<\/a><\/td>\n\"HIghspeed<\/a><\/td>\n\"N-C-J\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Volcanic<\/a><\/td>\n\"Amazing<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7626_7_8_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"The<\/a><\/td>\n\"Quite<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7638\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_7655_6_7_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Chiseled<\/a><\/td>\n\"Spores\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Gemista<\/a><\/td>\n\"Deep<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7748_49_50_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Lucky<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7854_5_6_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7857_8_9_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_7864_5_6_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7873_4_5_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7885_6_7_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_7888_89_90_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7891_2_3_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7912_3_4_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_7930_1_2_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Descent<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_7974_5_6_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Cliffs<\/a><\/td>\n\"Red<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8028\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8029\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Hangin<\/a><\/td>\n\"Baby<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"They've<\/a><\/td>\n\"Some<\/a><\/td>\n\"Love<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Quick<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8067\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Not<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"_MG_8143\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Silly<\/a><\/td>\n\"Fish<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8180_1_2_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8188_89_90_tonemapped-2\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8201\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"_MG_8221\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8222\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"The<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8236\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8237\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8240\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Greek<\/a><\/td>\n\"Pasta<\/a><\/td>\n\"No<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Ruins<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8271\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8273\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Side<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8275\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8284_5_6_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Restoration<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8289\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8293\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8294\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Hard<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8310\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8312_3_4_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Display<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8342\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Tired!\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Temple<\/a><\/td>\n\"Monument<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Closer<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8357\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8360\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"The<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8394_5_6_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8405\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8411\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"You'll<\/a><\/td>\n\"Why<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"S\u00fcleymaniye<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8451\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8454\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8456\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"View<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8460\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8461\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"View<\/a><\/td>\n\"Modern<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"First<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8473\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Fatih<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Rumelihisar<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8484\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8485\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8492\"<\/a>\"_MG_8494\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8486\"<\/a>\"_MG_8493\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8488\"<\/a>\"_MG_8496\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8507-Edit\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8513\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8522\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"They<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8555\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8559_60_61_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Having<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8582_3_4_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Perfectly<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8602\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Jewelry<\/a><\/td>\n\"Her<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Getting<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8625\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8629\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Spice<\/a><\/td>\n\"The<\/a><\/td>\n\"Turkish<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Jerusalem<\/a><\/td>\n\"Wonder<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8663-Edit\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Patiently<\/a><\/td>\n\"Theodosius<\/a><\/td>\n\"Hand<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8695-Edit\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"German<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8700\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8705-Edit\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Ornate<\/a><\/td>\n\"Main<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Beautiful<\/a><\/td>\n\"Restored<\/a><\/td>\n\"Inside<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Domes<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8788\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Main<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8805\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Christina<\/a><\/td>\n\"Entrance<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Basilica<\/a><\/td>\n\"Medusa's<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8854\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8856\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8861-Edit\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_8864\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"The<\/a><\/td>\n\"Blue<\/a><\/td>\n\"Entry<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_8935_6_7_tonemapped\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"Perfect<\/a><\/td>\n\"Galata<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_9028\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_9031\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"_MG_9036\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"_MG_9058\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"FIshing<\/a><\/td>\n\"How<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Minaret<\/a><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Given that we went to Greece and Turkey in June of 2011, this post is waaayyy overdue.\u00a0 But as they say\u2026 Better late than never, right? Since our Euro trip in 2010 (see Europe 2010) was such a success, we decided to do round two in June 2011 by traveling to Greece and Turkey.\u00a0 Sunil […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2789"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2789"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2789\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3126,"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2789\/revisions\/3126"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeswinjoseph.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}