We were in Bodrum from Thursday to Monday morning and we spent Monday night in Istanbul on our way back to the US.
Thursday (Bodrum)
We arrive at our hotel in Bodrum (Divan Palmira) after an overnight flight from the US and a loooooonnnngggg layover in Istanbul. We were really excited to get to the hotel.
Pool at Divan
Waterfront outside Divan
Turkish mezze and Effes beer on the waterfront
Friday (Bodrum) - Day before the wedding
Dock that we hung out on during the day, very relaxing
View down waterfront near our hotel
(you can see how each hotel has a dock with lounge chairs)
(you can see how each hotel has a dock with lounge chairs)
Shirley and Kemal had a party at their summer house
in Yalikavak the evening before the wedding
in Yalikavak the evening before the wedding
Picture of us...amazing view of the Aegean Sea in the background,
it was hard to believe we were in Turkey
it was hard to believe we were in Turkey
Nice view from the pool
Late night dance party by the beach
Setup for wedding reception by pool of Marmara Hotel
(city of Bodrum is below, Greek island of Kos in the distance)
Saturday (Bodrum) - Wedding Day
Setup for wedding reception by pool of Marmara Hotel
(city of Bodrum is below, Greek island of Kos in the distance)
The view from the Marmara Hotel was amazing
All dressed up for the wedding
Mezze before start of the ceremony
Waiting for the bride's entrance
(they timed this perfectly with the sunset in the background)
(they timed this perfectly with the sunset in the background)
Here comes the bride
It's official!
This is the view that we had during the reception
Wedding cupcakes
Ashley's high school friends
Fireworks! (look for the heart near the end)
Dancing!
After the wedding, we hopped on the bus to go the the Halikarnas
(promoted as "probably" the best night club in the world)
(promoted as "probably" the best night club in the world)
Partying in the VIP section at the Halikarnas
Craziness on the stage!
Congrats to Shirley and Kemal courtesy of Halikarnas
Picture of the newlyweds on the day after the wedding
(Thanks for such a great time in Bodrum Shirley and Kemal!)
Monday (Istanbul)
We hung out in Bodrum for one more day on Sunday before heading to Istanbul on Monday. It would have been nice to have had more time in Istanbul, but we got to see a lot in one day.
Blue Mosque
Me outside of the Blue Mosque
Inside of the Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Entrance to the Grand Bazaar
(this place was huge!)
(this place was huge!)
We purchase a couple of things from this guy,
then he wanted us to visit his "cousin shop" that sold rugs...
then he wanted us to visit his "cousin shop" that sold rugs...
...next thing you know, we're picking out a new rug
Stall at the Spice Bazaar
Bosphorus Bridge between Europe and Asia in the distance
Last night dinner on the roof of our hotel,
right before lightning knocked out power to our section of the city
right before lightning knocked out power to our section of the city
View of Hagia Sophia at night from the hotel restaurant
You can see the full album of pictures here