The Princess Islands (April 5)

The weather forecast called for a perfectly nice, sunny day, so Lessa, Kristina, Maddie, and I decided to take advantage of it by going to the Princess Islands in the Sea of Maramara. We couldn't have picked a better day. We took a boat trip to tour the Islands which would stop at each individual island. However due to time constraints, we settled on going to Buyukada, the largest of the islands. It was an impressive little Island. They outlawed most vehicles so the only trasportation that is available is through horse carriages and bicycles. I loved not having to smell exhaust fumes. These islands are however mainly occupied by people who use the island as a summer home. However there is still a lot of activity to be had when the weather starts warming. Tourist season is slowly creaping up in Turkiye and closer it gets, the more we notice. However we got to enjoy the sites here, enjoy some more fish cuisines, and the best part was that we got rent bikes to the top of the Island! That was fun and a great experience for Maddie who never rode a bike in the last 10 years or so. She did well surprisingly. Going up and down the hills in our bikes and seeing some of the beautiful structures and houses the island had to offer is a definite must when traveling here. I especially liked the hills that I got to race down. The view from the island however is Majestic. We were delivered not only a supurb view of the other Islands but also a view of Istanbul as well.

To get to the top however was no easy task. We arrived with our bikes at an area where the road starts to drastically become more vertical. That was a problem for some of our more inexperienced bikers. We decided to walk our bikes up. I tried to get up with my bike alone, but it isn't as fun when you are knowingly excluding others in the process. At the top is the Monastary of St. George. It wasn't as impressive as some of the Cathedrals located in Istanbul but its situation on top of the Island was impressive. The inside of it was even more spectacular. The outside view is one to covet and treasure for the rest of ones life. Couples often come up here together due to how romantic the spot is. However what diminishes this is Yassiada Island (Execution Island). It was the site of the Demokrat Parti trials where after the military coup in 1960, many of the party's leaders were on trial here, and then sentenced to death here by firing squad. One of the more famous figures to be executed was Prime Minister Adnan Menderes but I believe that he might have been shot on another island. Interesting history...

The best thing about the island was the bike ride down. It was a fast and dangerous ride down considering all the walkers I had to dodge. I almost hit a couple but I got through them with no casualties. I waited for the others to get down the hill before I went down the second. They weren't as liberal with their speed as I was. Once we all met up, I started plunging myself down the hills going high speed, dodging horse carriages, other bikers and pedestrians. It was a good old time. I then got to enjoy some ice cream before I left. Another quick trip that I strongly recommend to any traveler in the area.