Lounging by the Mediterranean in Kas, Turkey.

I left my home in Tucson, Arizona, on May 3. Since our return to Tucson this week, so many friends have asked, “Where exactly did you go?”

First, three days in Boston, my old stomping ground. Then on to Turkey, where I flew from Istanbul to Antalya to visit friends.  We saw incredible ancient ruins. We hung out at the gorgeous Boegenville hotel in Kas for three days.

And Greece was so close. How could I pass up ferrying over to the small island of Kastelorizo for a quick visit?

This photo — taken on Kastelorizo — may look like a cover on Conde Nast Traveler, but I took it with my iPhone. Snoozing on those chairs was perfect after a mid-afternoon fish dinner in the sun. (A boy, around 10 years old, had bicycled to the restaurant where we were sipping wine. He turned over his catch to the proprietor). 

How did people create this intricate art thousands of years ago? 

Back in Antalya after our little road trip, I loved the luxurious Turkish breakfasts prepared by my gracious hosts. “If there aren’t tomatoes, feta, cucumbers, nuts, and olives, it just doesn’t feel like breakfast,” my friend’s father said.

I loved Turkey. There was so much more I wanted to see. Someday, I will.

Following a week in Antalya I returned to Istanbul, my hub for six flights during the 3 1/2 weeks I was out of the United States.

I was on my own again. Headed to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Please watch for that story in the November issue of Desert Leaf.