National Sovereignty and Children's Day

April 23rd marks the first gathering of the Grand National Assembly (Turkish Parliament) which took place on April 23rd 1920.  Each year on this date many of the Turkish People attend ceremonies and celebrations to commemorate this day.  It is reported that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic,  dedicated it to the children of Turkey, which is why children play such an important role in the celebrations.

One of many parts of the celebrations in Kuşadası this year was a procession through the town led by the Municipality's Brass Band, followed by children dressed in their finest clothes and national costumes, along with their proud parents.

The young girls were eagerly waiting to have their faces painted.

Even at the end of a busy day, this little boy still had some energy left to burn off.

Views From The New Marina Shopping Centre, Kuşadası

Last year Kuşadası started the first phase of its revamping of Kuşadası's Marina area with a new shopping centre.  I think it was a really good idea to add a walkway to the top of the shopping centre as it gives some lovely views over this end of the Seafront, the Marina and also across the bay to the Cruise Terminal, and Pigeon Island.  Here are a few shots I took last week, on a very cold but lovely bright day.

Here we are looking across to the Cruise Terminal and Snake Island, in the very distance:

Looking inland, it is amazing how built up Kuşadası is looking now.

The planting here is still quite young, but it is looking good.

Pigeon Island in the distance.

Some shots of the boats in the Marina.

Cacti and Ornamental Grasses are always a winner in gardens.

How many 'Masts' can you count?

There's always at least one boat on dry dock being worked on, there looks like a lot of work to be done on this one before the start of the new season.

There are still a few New Year decorations about.

1960's Triportör

We came across this little red, three wheeled truck the other week.  After noticing the familiar Arçelik name on the front, current manufacturers of white goods here in Turkey, I was curios to know more.  I have discovered that it is a 1960's Triportör, produced by the Turkish firm Arçelik to meet the needs of deliveries along narrow, busy streets here in Turkey.  It was based on the the popular Italian Lambretta scooter and has a fiberglass body.

Kuşadası In December

These photos were taken on one of our lovely December days when there were a few heavy clouds around but mostly the sun was shining creating some lovely winter colours to the sky and sea.

Fishing Boat On The Beach

If you go for a walk along the seashore here in Turkey, you will often see small fishing boats pulled up on the beach, waiting for the next fishing trip.

The name of the boat translated is Anatolian Tiger.

This fishing net looks like it is going to take a bit of unravelling.

B-boying In Turkey

B-boying or breakdancing is a style of street dancing that originates from New York Cities African American and Latino youths during the early 1970's.  The Saray Restaurant here in Kuşadası, Turkey, has had a Turkish troup of local youths entertaining the diners during the summer months.  

There routine starts with the group donning white masks, and performing dance moves, which is referred to as 'Top Rock'

One of the breakers then went onto demonstrate the 'Power Move' headspin, where he spun round on his head.

Another form of move is the 'Freeze' where the breaker suspends himself off the ground using his upper body strength to pose.

It is amazing to see the control that these breakers have to undertake these moves in the middle of a busy restaurant.

Here is another one of the 'Power Moves' know as the windmill,

and this one is the swipe.

This 'Freeze' requires incredible upper body strength and appears to defy gravity.

Some of the moves are acrobatic.

This move called 'Downrock' requires the breaker to balance on his hands whilst threading his legs through each other.

In this move the breaker was bouncing on his hand to move his body around the floor to the beat of the music.

The 'Suicide Move' is where the breaker appears to loose control and fall, before taking control before hitting the floor.

This breaker was performing hand bouncing while proceeding to remove his t-shirt,

and then his trainers and trousers....

Here is some more of the 'Windmill Power Move'.