Here I am during the few weeks I trekked Turkey's Mediterranean coast on the Lycian way. Highly recommended.
When we are not welcoming tourists, Ocracoke goes on vacation.
I like to think of it as professional development. Visits are often to warm and sunny places; we like the beach.
This winter, Ocracokers have visited every continent except Antarctica. Some travel in high style; others sling on a backpack and sleep on the ground. Most of us find an affordable middle zone in our price range.
At this writing, Carol and Kathleen recently returned from their central African safari; Jessie and William are somewhere in New Zealand, Dylan is preparing to load his surfboards on a plane to Indonesia, Eve is finalizing her plans to visit London, and Cathy and Jason are looking forward to abandoning their children to my care and gallivanting off to the Dominican Republic.
Those are just the trips I know about. Please contact Ocracoke Current and share your adventures, near and far, with us!
Below are photos illustrating a few trips islanders have taken since the season ended.
Kristen and Clay got the most stamps in their passports, backpacking through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Avid anglers Byron, Sara, and Burt made their annual pilgrimage to Panama.
Charlie and Sandy are spending another winter chillaxing in Barbados, enoying the sun and blue water.
Sarah and Brad headed to his native South Africa for the off season. The newly engaged couple also visited Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
We'll start with the trips people took to the Mediterranean in the fall, including my visit to Turkey, since you asked.
The view from Jamie and Brian Carter's honeymoon nest in Greece. Congratulations!
Ruth and Bob Toth visited Florence in December. Bob climbed the 460 steps to the top of the Duomo in under 10 minutes.
Istanbul is chock-a-block full of mosques, incredible food, stylish people, and an astonishing amount of boat traffic on the Bosphorus.
Mosques, especially those from the long Ottoman reign, have hand decorated interiors.
I hiked and hot air ballooned in Cappadocia in central Turkey. Almonds and apricots were first cultivated here.
Humans have lived on the Anatolian plateau for 7000 years, and some still carve their homes from the volcanic rock.
Wait a minute, that's not Ocracoke!
Byron and Burt pulled in a matched set of snowy grouper in about 400 feet of water while vacationing in Panama.
A flowering hibiscus, in case you'd forgotten how lovely the tropics are.
Sara pulls off a Panama hat with ease.
Not a bad spot to spend part--or all--of your vacation.
Sara fights a yellowfin tuna. And wins. Byron reported the group ate incredibly well during their Panama trip.
Five hardworking Panamanian fishermen were offshore for eight straight days on this vessel, said Sara.
Beginning in December, Kristen and Clay backpacked through Central America for several months, never losing their senses of humor.
The reward for a long hike was a refreshing swim under this secluded waterfall.
Check out Kristen's T-shirt!
No power? No problem. The tranquility of budget travel includes candlelight, bug nets and hammocks.
High volcanic lake where Kristen and Clay rented a kayak and explored.
A private ferry boat, unregulated by state or federal agencies.
Sandy and Charlie have spent the last few winters in Barbados.
Even after drinking the locally grown coffee, Charlie looks relaxed.
Fishing is community supported, no matter where you go.
Sarah has a soft spot for animals.
Brad taking a break while climbing Table Mountain, which "nearly killed" Sarah.
Sarah and Brad spent many days under the sea.
And also quite a few above it.
Southern Africa is renowned for its beaches . . .
and stunning natural beauty.
Bye! Thanks for looking at our vacation photos. Please contact Ocracoke Current if you want to share your own.
