Shell has massaged all the blogs into one, but this place seems to be having an identity crisis. It was simple when we were riding, each day was different and there was something to write about, scenic pictures. Adventure. Then there was the wine blog. Every post was the name of the wine and some…
Saturday, 4 November
2021 Azienda Guilio Straccali Chianti (Chianti, Italy) We decided Saturday morning not to drink today. We stayed strong until just after lunch. I used to be a bit snobbish with Chianti in the fiasco. We have had a few here in Dubai and they have all been great. Chianti always takes me back to Italy,…
Friday, 3 November
2022 Casal Garcia Vinho Verde (Minho, Portugal) We fell in love with these Portugese wines on our bike ride. We often joke that Portugal does not make a bad white wine. So far so good with the wines of Portugal here in Dubai, but this is the first that has had the classic Portugal spritz…
Departures – Istanbul
We stroll around Beyoglü in the cool morning. Cats and kittens everywhere. If we come back, we will stay here. The idea of coming back is exciting in this moment, but I know when we plan our next trip, there will be so many places not discovered that we will want to visit. Maybe we will…
Last Day Magic
We leave Sapanca early. This is a tourist town but I can’t see it. Maybe it is Lake Gölü that is the attraction. The drive is uneventful. The hire car returned without drama. We are in Beyoglü and have finally found our groove. My great friend Luke suggested Beyoglü. His wife is from these parts…
Sapanca
Our destination is Sapanca, but we take a detour. Shell has anthropology running through her viens. History and the way we lived in the past is her passion. She has discovered an archelogical site nearby and head for a visit. I love these detours, but what I love most is how much Shell appreciates them….
Uçlerkayasi
We are heading north, inland away from Aegean Sea toward the Black Sea. There is an organic farm in the middle of nowhere that looks very cool. The drive is uneventful and we arrive with our two bottles of wine from Lucien Arkas Buğlari, both thirsty. Our host is Aziz, and he is having a…
Bozbük
We have a six hour drive ahead of us. We are up early and on the road with the sunrise. In the early morning sun, Hüseyinfaki is about as postcard Turkish village as you will find. We follow the coast down and as lunch draws near Shell has found us a place. Lucien Arkas Baglari…
Hüseyinfaki
The hire car is booked for 10.00 am. We arrive at Yenibosna right on time to collect only to find out I have booked the car for 12.00 pm. We sit around for a few hours and the day is pushed back. Shell is understanding. The whip is a Peugeot 2008, brand new. There is…