Eceabat (Maydos)

Hey everyone, 

I am finally back in Turkey after six months! I took a quick stroll in Acibadem, a neighborhood in the Anatolian side where I grew up, on Friday evening. Things change so quickly here. Knowing I am only in a place for a short period makes me cherish the moment more. Living abroad has given me this perspective during my visits to Turkey.       

My mom is celebrating her birthday this week and she loves her birthdays. To celebrate, we took a short trip to Ecaabat, a small town on the eastern shore of the Gelibolu Peninsula. The journey from Istanbul takes about 5 hours, including breaks. The roads are well-maintained, offering beautiful field views on both sides. We left early in the morning to beat the traffic and the heat. Summer in Turkey is boiling hot. A change for me compared to gloomy Berlin!

I generally love this region. It is rich in history and nature. Canakkale and Gallipoli wars are won on this land, crucial in Turkiye's fight for independence. Nearby, you can visit the cemeteries and memorials of Turkish, English, French, New Zealand and Australian soldiers who fought in the war. Every year on 25 April, New Zealanders and Australians come to Gallipoli for Anzac Day commemorations. The area's rich history dates back to ancient times, with many towns having former Greek names. Eceabat's ancient Greek name is Maydos. This heritage makes the region feel like it belongs to the world. There is something special here. I keep coming back for that feeling.  

The weather is pleasant, with strong winds thanks to its location on the Dardanelles Strait. Despite the heat in Istanbul, I needed a jacket in Eceabat to survive the evening wind. 

Our stay was brief but packed with activities. We checked into our hotel Casa Villa during lunch time, a boutique hotel overseeing the strait with a beautiful garden. Our attic suite was spacious, perfect for three people. This is our second time here, and I was already looking forward to the rich breakfast the next day. The location makes it convenient to stay here if you are planning to visit the historical sights in Gallipoli. 

For lunch, we headed to Suvla Bistro Winebar, a favourite spot. Suvla is a Turkish wine brand, with large vineyards in Canakkale (the province). The bistro's garden offers shade, wine and delicious food. I had a chicken salad with beans - tasty and filling. My parents gave a high grade to the oven-baked pizza. The garden has different trees, including pomegranate and medlar. I thought the medler tree was a quince tree. Something new to learn every day! The wine selection is massive. My favourite summer wine is Viognier, with pear notes. Another winebar in the region is Bengodi, which also has a luxury boutique hotel and a small viticulture history museum.   

Swimming in the strait is different from a regular beach. The water is refreshing with almost always big waves. We frequent a restaurant named Maydos, which has a garden by the sea and a pier. You can never get bored here or can properly concentrate on your book because watching the sea traffic, ferries, cruises andcargo vessels, is so much more entertaining. Whether lunch or dinner, the food is excellent here. You can enjoy a variety of Turkish tapas ("meze"), meat or fish. We were lucky to see the full moon rise behind the hills at night. A full orange in the sky and a beautiful sight. 

Last year I visited the Seddulbahir Fortress, one of the many fortresses in the region that once defended the shores. Recently renovated, it is now a beautiful open-air museum. I am glad we can appreciate architecture and history in peace. 

Cheers, 

Deniz

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