Turkey: Magical World of Turkey

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:

- Istanbul Aku Datang 1

- The Turkey Trip Summary Part 1

- Marmara Region: Canakkale- Troy- Asklepion

- Aegean Region: Kusadasi- Pamukkale

- Central Anatolia: Konya-Cappadocia

- Central Anatolia: Cappadocia, land of natural wonders

- Central Anatolia: Ankara

- The Turkey Trip Summary Part 11: On our own in Huge Istanbul

                                                                              ....

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.

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!

Shop in caves. Reminds me of the "Conehead" movies.hehe

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? ;)

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. 

The hot air balloon started to make its way to the sky..

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?

An Introductory: Turkey

Bismillah.

Dear readers,

Think I owe you big. Have been skipping posting since mid of November. I'm gonna write something on my recent trip. Went to Turkey for about 14 days, exploring the well known land of the Ottoman Empire. MashaAllah! What a wonderful land. Turkey is situated at the bridge of European region and Asian region. Therefore, I could say they have the best of both world. So much to see trip. And so much to tell. Hope to be your storyteller soon. ;)

Sweet November

Bismillah. 

Finally, I have got the chance to sit down properly in front of the computer and do some writing.

Okay. Quit blabbering. Since this is one of my medium to record things that happen in my ordinary life. Today, here's the new entry.

Alhamdulillah, all praises goes to the only one, Allah Al Mighty. There are a few good things that has occurred and another will occur in my life. 

My career seems to give me way for the past few weeks. Honestly, after a really long 'climbing' and 'holding' on, I would have to admit, to stop right there and leave would be the easiest way out. Then again, that is what most people do. To search for a comfortable and safer zone. I won't lie that I did think of giving up like many times. Only God knows. But I did not want to be just another person who giving up. Life is not easy and we all know that. I just thought that if I could not make it here, then how am I gonna survive other place? So, I tried and worked hard for it. Prayed hard too. Self motivating was what I did excessively. Until just then, it fall right in front of me. All my work, hardship, pray and patience has been answered. Alhamdulillah, this month has witnessed a step up in my career. And million of thanks goes to the people around me. You guys had no idea how each and everyone of you had inspired and made me think and ponder on life. :)

Another thing is I am gonna do what I always love to do. Travelling! InsyaAllah, in 3 days time, I will be on a jet plane. And the place I am gonna conquer is actually has been in the family list of places to go for quite some times. Dad has expressed his interest to visit this country since I was like 19 years old. And now, insyaAllah, we are close to that. Preparation and packing has been running loosely for the past two months. Hopefully, Allah let us explore the part of the world that he created. Hoping for a safe and smooth journey too. And mostly importantly, to add value to oneself after returning from the trip.

Sahih International

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. - Surah Al Hujurat, verse 13

Indeed.

May we all be in His guidance and circle of iman and taqwa. Ameen.

Stay positive and have faith in Him

Have a sweet november, dearies! :)

Miss Wooly

Bismillah.

This is my top wool wear. It is grey in colour. Bought this in carsia in Sarajevo. Thinking to wear this and other thick and heavy wool apparel again makes me excited.  Though am not going to wear this at the same place but it is the place where Islam came to brighten the Balkan region.

I'm counting days.. sooo excited!

One of many Thursdays.

Bismillah.

Last Thursday, my office department threw a humble eid party although it is kind of late to do it after a month of Syawal. Well, it does not matter. One of the reason is to share the joy and festive food with our non Muslim friends. So that morning, I prepared something to add to the table as cold dessert. I made a fruit cocktail in custard sauce which is my family all time favourite dessert. Learned the recipe from mom. She used to do it in when she was in US.

 

Since my car is no good to transport me to train station for the past few days, I had to leave house earlier to get a ride from my dad to the station. Got up early morning to iron my mom's baju kurung and ran to the kitchen to heat up the evaporated milk. Dashed to shower at half past seven after dad reminded me that he was going to shower and have to attend a meeting first thing in the morning. Luckily my sister were there helping me stirring the milk constantly while I was getting dressed. It was a rushy morning I can say.

 

At the station, I realized that I left my phone in the kitchen. Cool. I was thinking to go back home but I told myself that  maybe I could survive the day without it. So, I stepped into the train without fourth or fifth thought. Went to work as usual and continued with feast in the evening.

Alhamdulillah, everyone was happy and full and I can see the whole bottom of my fruit cocktail container. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ... 

 

 

An hour before I left office, I called my mom to inform her to pick me up at the station later.

 

When I reached my station, I did not see any familiar car. I was getting worried if my mom forgot or fall asleep. So I looked for telephone booth. There are three telephones there. I was delighted and excited actually. I had not been using public phone for more than ten years. Thank god they are there when I truly need them. I went to the first phone and picked up the receiver only to know the telephone was dead. So, I went to the second one. It was dead too. I tried the third and last telephone and fortunately, it is working. I put the coin in and started dialling. I waited but heard nothing except the phone screen keeps on showing 'insert coin'. I inserted more coin but still getting the same direction from the phone. Darn. The phone is broken too. Ya Allah. Why has not anyone go and fix these phones? No one ever reports or complains? Maybe we are depending less on public phone that we could not care less to get it fixed.

 

I wandered around the station looking for someone to borrow a minute of their mobile phone. Hmm, it was not so easy to pick anyone there. Most had tired look on their faces and some got the 'stay-away-from-me' look. I asked from a woman who sells wafer at the booth however she claimed that she got no balance credit on her phone. I kept on looking and saw a young girl standing at a corner of the pavement facing the parking area. She was playing with a cat with her feet. She was smiling to herself. I was too when I saw her and the cat. I knew she would be my saviour. Bismillah. I walked up to her and asked for help. She immediately handed over her phone to me in less than ten seconds. I made that one important call quickly and returned the phone. I offered to pay for the expense, but she refused. I thought that I had to do some explanation before I get to use her phone. But I was surprised. She understood my situation and responded without a delay. She helped me without hesitation. Not a single question. She exceeded my expectation. I was so grateful and thanked her many times. How lovely the girl is. Then, we introduced ourselves. Not long that her family came in a car to pick her. I can see her small brother and sisters. I waved her good bye and secretly made a doa (prayer) for her. May Allah bless her and her family and that she would get the same help she did to me when she needs it. Ameen.

 

“Whoever relieves a believer from a distress of this life, Allah will relieve from him a distress on the Day of Judgment. Whosoever brings ease to a believer who is in difficulty, Allah will bring ease to him in both this life and the next. Whosoever conceals the shortcomings of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his shortcomings in this world and the next. Allah will always help a servant as long as that servant helps his brother.” - Prophet Muhammed s.a.w. (pbuh)

 

P/s: Today, how about being someone else’s silver lining? Relieve someone’s distress, bring ease to someone’s heart, and help someone, as the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) taught us.

 

Happy weekend everyone! (: