The boyfriend and I have just celebrated our one year anniversary. Funny, but it seems like we have been together much longer than that. He has affected my life so profoundly that a mere year just seems like too short a time. But, after all, I do believe in quality over quantity.

I really wanted to get away, if just for a night. As much as I love my city, Istanbul, she’s heavy. Every now and again, it’s good to escape and shed some of the weight.

I didn’t want much. Just an overnight somewhere that I could see some stars and hear some insects. So, we chose Ağva; a lazy little river town about an hour and a half from Istanbul.

I had a place in mind from the Little Hotel Book, but we checked out a few places just to see what was what. In the end, we checked into Tranquilla, my first pick.

It being a week day, it was pretty barren. In fact, we shared the place with only one other family and their very well-behaved cocker spaniel. Suited us just fine. They pretty much kept to themselves so we felt we had the run of the place.

We took a terrace level bungalow, thinking that we might knock back a bottle of wine up there after dinner. But we ended up enjoying the grounds so much that we didn’t make it back there until it was time to crash.

The backyard sat on the river, so we were able to watch as people cruised down on paddle boats and sea bicycles. Having already had that aerobic experience on a prior visit, I deigned to give my quadriceps a break this time around. Enjoying a glass of vino as the sun went down was more the exercise I was in the mood for.

I had heard that there was some trekking around and if that was the case, our host wasn’t really aware of it. He pointed us to a trail into the woods across the street. We headed out and Irma, one of two house dogs, trotted out the gate with us and led the way.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get very far before turning back. Alas, I was so disgusted by the litter that we aborted our walk. Empty water bottles, beer bottles and potato chip bags were everywhere.
I will never be able to understand how a culture that is so obsessed with cleanliness in general can be such hopeless litterbugs! This is a recurring theme here in Turkey, I am sad to report. It gets me steamed, like that Native American who sheds the single tear in that old-school ad.

We headed back to the lodge and decided to laze about. There were various sitting nooks as well as hammocks generous enough for two. We had ourselves a wee nap and geared up for dinner.

The food was really fantastic, it’s worth noting. It was not the usual fare. Our meze plate before dinner included yummy things that I could not even identify. One of the cold salads featured little chunks of what seemed like a mild white fish. The aggressive cat at my ankles seemed to solidify that theory as he repeatedly attempted to get in my lap. And they have some obsession with nettles at this place because our olive oil featured them, and my börek at lunch featured them. I knew they were medicinal plants, but now I know they are delicious as well, so thanks for that, Tranquilla.

The bottle o’ wine did figure into the picture, but not in the expected venue. As we dined, I noticed that one of the employees was stoking up a fire. And thank goodness for that! I underestimated how chilly the evening would be there out in the woods by the river and my poor toesies were starting to freeze. The boyfriend did offer me his socks, but I was wearing flip flops and I just couldn’t do it, people. I’m sorry, but some things are just not done!

So, we sauntered over after dinner and settled into a couple slingbacks at the firepit. We wrapped ourselves in hotel shawls and tucked into a fine bottle of red. Irma joined us for some ear-rubbing and we had ourselves a fine trio.

I drifted to sleep like a newborn babe to a chorus of crickets and other nocturnal creatures. It was a day well spent with the best person I know to spend a day with.

Ağva is a must-do for all denizens of Istanbul, if you ask me. And don’t give me the excuse that you don’t have a car! We saw nice new belediye buses heading to both Şile and Ağve from Üsküdar. Whattaya’ think of them apples?