Bismillah.
It took me nearly half an hour to figure out where to begin. Mom has done an excellent job writing on about 90% of our trip to Turkey. So, I am going to let you have the 'tour' with her. You may do so by clicking below links which is listed sequentially:
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Once I set my foot outside the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, it was early, about 7am in the morning. As it was mid of November, the weather was cold and occasionally windy. Fairly low temperature at 15 degree. Looking at the grey sky, the cool air that I breathe, the mixed smell of au de parfum and tobacco, tall people in dark colours of winter wear, Caucasian women wearing hijabs and head scarfs, all of these brought back my memories in Bosnia. I know it is not fair to compare Bosnia from Turkey. But someone even told me that Sarajevo is like a piece of Istanbul. So, the blame cannot be put completely on me. ;)
Anyway, I would love to highlights on couple of things that I found them remarkable and worth of notice in Turkey. These are the things I personally fall in love with and keep saying to myself not to forget them. They are:
a) nature beauty and ancient historical place
b) shopping focal point,
c) food
d) language.
Today let me start off with what Turkey has to offer in regards to nature beauty. And the rest bullet points will come later, okay? :)
If you are looking for a place that could give you a wide-eyed gaze and cause jaw dropping, there are two places that will fit the bills. They are Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
Pamukkale in Turkish means cotton castle. Pamuk is cotton, and kale is castle. From the name itself I believe we can imagine how this place looks like. Well, it is not exactly a castle. It is actually a city which has travertines and terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing hot water spring. Pamukkale was also an ancient city which is called Hierapolis.
We went there just in time, an hour before sunset. So the view was magical with the sun shone on the white castle-like cascades and makes everything look glittering. Subhanallah!
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| View from our moving bus to Pamukkale. |
We went there just in time, an hour before sunset. So the view was magical with the sun shone on the white castle-like cascades and makes everything look glittering. Subhanallah!
Cappadocia is located in the central Anatolia. Apart from Istanbul, this was the only place we stayed for two days. Other place was just a night. The reason being that this place has got more to see that we need more time. We visited underground city which largely used by Christians as hiding place during Romans occupation and Gerome park, a fairy chimneys rock formation (historical site under protection of UNESCO). Breathtaking!
According to our tour guide, the sci fi movies of Star Wars were filmed here. Hmm.. what do you think of that? ;)
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| Shop in caves. Reminds me of the "Conehead" movies.hehe |
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| The staircase leads to a small chapel built in the cave during Romans period |
According to our tour guide, the sci fi movies of Star Wars were filmed here. Hmm.. what do you think of that? ;)
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| Mom and dad.. awww <3 font="font"> |
You can ride on the hot air balloon which is available everyday here (if the weather permits). The charges is USD200 per person with a certificate! hehe.
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| The hot air balloon started to make its way to the sky.. |
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| Soooo excited! Look at countless balloons floating! |
So, those are the places that I remember I had to take a deep breathe looking at them. Subhanallah! Wondering how amazing and magnificent these creations are. Lets ask ourselves back.. " How magnificent and great the Creator is, then?" God is the greatest.
Up next: What to shop in Turkey?
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