Corinnes Africa

 We started off the day with our yoga practice thinking we would do a hot yogo on the deck. Wow we didn't make it past our 3rd sun salutation. So so hot. I was actually dizzy. Finished in our AC condo. Just hung by the pool most of the day. Came home a couple cocktails under our belt and Wilson said after dinner let's go to the marina district. We did and wow it's on steroids. If you can see the one building with the hole in it there are in fact many like that. It's a fung shuei. It's totally misspelled. There are many buildings like that. It's good luck and healthy living for all in the building. This city is just crazy. No homeless absolutely no litter just pristine. It's almost sereal in the fact that all the buildings are perfect but very different architecturally. Every worker here is from a totally different country as I said before. They are all  very happy very successful from where they are from. Even though Dubai isn't a democracy but a sheik t...

 Ok so when we were talking with this Dutch couple who was telling all to do in Dubai he said the Oceania is a 7 star Michelin restaurant. I researched it today thinking it didn't make sense. The rating goes to 3 which is excellent. What the Dutch guy meant was Oceania received 7 3 Michelin star ratings. Makes so much more sense!!  BTW a walkthrough tasting is 1450 AED which is about $400 pp US or just a wine pairing with appetizers is $480 AED which is about $160 US pp A bit out of our league. Still going to see if we can belly up to the bar for a cocktail;)

 Well it's just darn right hot here morning noon night. The sea isn't refreshing either not at 94 degrees!! We did finally find the pool that belonged to our complex. That made the day tolerable and fun actually. The Dubai currency is the AED and it's 3.67 per US $1. That doesn't make any difference. It's so frickin expensive here. A beer is $10 US wine is $15 and a small order of fries is $10. We are drinking and eating in the condo!!  Wilson was talking to this employee who works as a lifeguard at the pool we were at. He told Wilson he makes $700 US/mo plus free housing including all utilities which is huge because it includes AC all food and health care. Coming from Bangladesh that's crazy. He said it would take 6 mos for him to make $700 plus nothing would be paid for. He sends the money back. He sees his family at least once a year but says he will never go back to Bangladesh.He has his oldest attending university. Impressive for someone coming from such an...

 Well we had our last meal at Bama in Istanbul before headed to the airport for Dubai. The dish may not look appetizing but it's that mixture of ground lamb beef mixed with onions pepper garlic!!  The hummus was amazing with the best olive oil drizzle d all over it. We love that place. Once at the airport we went to the lounge thank you Tom!!  It was the nicest airport lounge thus far. Really helped pass the time:). While looking at our tickets it said connect to the bus at 21:10. I'm like Wilson we are taking a bus to Dubai from Abu Dhabi-our lay over- he said we just need to wait and see. Sure enough we took a bus altho there are 2 international airports. Go figure. The guard said go to the 3rd exit out to the median and wait. Wow walking out the door was like a furnace. It was 99 degrees. We got on the bus and 90 minutes later we are driving through what looks like a mix of Vegas and NYC. Crazy.  We hired a taxi and said what's the cost to the Palms?  He said...

 When we were eating at that rooftop restaurant about 5 days ago looking at all the Mosques on the other side of the river we noted a neon sign on the backside of the eye of Sophia. We said what's that about. I said I don't want to see it now. We got back from Cappadocia early this morning around 130 AM. Wilson wakes up and says we are going to see the eye of Sophia. I said no I'm boycotting it. He said you can't come all the way to Istanbul and not see the eye of Sophia. I said ok whatever. We  went to the blue mosque which I thought was more impressive. I did learn that the eye of Sophia was originally made for the Greek Christians in 624-648. Then it changed to an Islam mosque. It did go back and forth a few times but now currently a mosque. I did have to done a head covering which I totally respect. At least I can say I saw the eye of Sophia here in Istanbul

 At 430 AM we were picked up to head to our hot air balloon ride amongst 300 plus fellow ballooners. It was pretty amazing to see all of these balloons headed up together. There was absolutely no wind. We pretty much went up rotated many times to see our neighbors. Pretty spectacular. We then came down and the captain actually landed on the trailer. Pretty good captianing if you ask me:). After that it was only 630. Found a coffee shop that was opened. We met up with our guide again at 930. We visited the oldest and  largest church in Cappadocia. Then went to the outdoor museum where most of the rock formations were taken. We were then escorted to an amazing ceramics factory.  There was a demonstration by a master to make a round wine decanter. I didn't get a photo of it unfortunately. But 3 masters are involved in completing these works of art. The potter the designer then then painter. I threw pots in my 3 years of high school.and 1 year at college. I loved it. I unders...

 Sorry misinformation. The volcanos that erupted to form Cappadocia happened about 6 million years ago and the first people to move in was 2000 BC. Apologies

 So Cappadocia is about 2000 BC. It has an incredible history that I hope to at least scratch the surface. This area of Cappadocia was formed due to 2 major volcanoes. These volcanoes created so much ash that it created these dome like structures. It's an incredible sturdy material considering these have withstood time. The Hittetlins ruled Cappadocia until the Attilyans took over. Then the Persians then Alexander the Great. It kept going on and on until the Turks took over. Interesting because Christians were the first organized religion with Islam coming later.  Interesting that the christian and Islam shared the same church/mosque. The Muslims prayed on their time and the Christians prayed on their time. All got along very well sharing in everything.  The ottomans then came to power then the Persians. Eventually the Turks came into power. Ottomans  held Eurasia for 600 years  until 1922 after WW1 when Turkey held power. Greece and Turkey before then christian...

 Went on a major shopping spree today. A few adorable pieces to take me through Dubai India and Japan. Then came back bought a true Turkey lunch. Sponokapita this spinach dish tadziki and naan. We hung out for awhile then went out to walk around at night. Stopped at this local restaurant not knowing what to order and this group pictured said order this this and this. So we did. Then ran across the street for a couple of beers. Pretty fun.  Tomorrow early 3:30 AM to Cappadocia