[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 16: Istanbul

It was our last morning in Turkey, and I managed to squeeze in a visit to the Spice Bazaar. What ended our trip on a high note though, was the best baklava I've had, and probably ever will!

Itinerary of the day: Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)  → Karaköy Güllüoğlu → Ataturk Airport → home

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 15: Istanbul

We stayed in Istanbul for six days in total, but never made it to the tourist-must-do Bosphorus Cruise. We never ran out of things to do in Istanbul, and I was ok with missing out on the cruise. Turkish bath on the other hand, was such an interesting experience that I would not want to have missed!

Itinerary of the day: Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami → Ortaköy → Istanbul Military Museum (Mehter performance) → Grand Bazaar

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 14: Istanbul

I was back in Istanbul! I didn't like this city so much on my first stay, but by visiting the less popular tourist spots this time, our second stay was much more authentic and enjoyable.

Itinerary of the day: Cihangir → Kadıköy Market → Carrefour at Tepe Nautilus shopping mall → Meze by Lemon Tree 

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 13: Gaziantep

Would the world's biggest mosaics museum be worth the extra stop at Gaziantep? Our brief visit to Southeastern Turkey came to an end, and I left with mixed feelings, and still undecided whether it was worth the risk.

Itinerary of the day: Sanliurfa → Bericik → Gaziantep (Zeugma Mosaics Museum) → Istanbul

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 12: Mount Nemrut & Sanliurfa

A post-Alexander splinter king with a bloated ego, the birthplace of agriculture and religion, and Islam's sacred city...so many things I didn't know existed, and the history buff side of me was completely indulged on this day.

Itinerary of the day: Adiyaman → Mount Nemrut → Arsemia → Septimus Severus Bridge → Karakus tumulus → Ataturk Dam → Gobekli Tepe → Harran → Sanliurfa (Pools of Holy Carp! and Abraham's Cave)

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 11: Southeastern Turkey

Today we started our three day tour to the Southeastern highlights of Turkey. Most of it was spent in transportation (8 hours!), but the best tasting dondurma in the country was totally worth the drive.

Itinerary of the day: Goreme (Cappadocia) → Karatayhan Caravanserai → Kahramanmaras (the original MADO) → Adiyaman

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 10: Cappadocia

As much as the tourist in me wanted to hit every single points on the map, hiking was a much better way to enjoy Cappadocia's beauty. My only regret was that I didn't learn about this earlier!

Itinerary of the day: Keyisdere Vadisi → Rose Valley sunset tour (+Meskendir Valley)

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 9: Cappadocia

The most popular way to travel an area is not always the best, this I learned after completing the "Red Tour", also known as the highlight of Cappadocia. While the day was still enjoyable, the experience left much to be desired...

Itinerary of the day: Derinkuyu Underground City → Pigeon Valley viewpoint → Uchisar → Pasabag → Avanos → Devrent Valley → Cavusin

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 8: Cappadocia

Pamukkale is my favourite place in Turkey, but Cappadocia delivered the highlight and the best meal of the trip. It was on my bucket list to ride the hot air balloon here, and the long time dream came true today. This area is not to be missed for any first time visitors to Turkey!

Itinerary of the day: Butterfly Balloons → Cappadocia Home Cooking → "Three Beauties" → Goreme Open Air Museum 

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 7: Sirince & Selcuk

After the big-hitter Ephesus, there were a few smaller sights around town that were worth a look, before we leave the Aegean coast and fly to the heart of Anatolia. It was planned to be a relaxing day, until we encountered our first ever [attempted] theft in all my traveling days.

Itinerary of the day: Sirince → Virgin Mary House → Temple of Artemis → Basilica of St. John → Izmir (Adnan Menderes Airport) → Goreme (Kayseri Erkilet Airport)

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 6: Ephesus

When it comes to pristine Roman ruins, it seemed the rim of the Empire is where it's at. Not only was it visually stunning, Ephesus had many different cultural significance rolled into it, plus a rare ancient library!

Itinerary of the day: Pamukkale → Selcuk → Ephesus

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 5: Pamukkale

It's difficult to pick a favourite place in Turkey, but if I have to, it's Pamukkale. It's both beautiful and interactive and out of this world. It's quickly deteriorating and disappearing, so go before it's too late!

Itinerary of the day: Laodicea → Hierapolis → Pamukkale 

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 4: Istanbul

A grandma and granddaughter on the ferry ride through The Golden Horn enthusiastically asked me to take a photo of them, and this became my favourite shot of the trip. I've came to like Istanbul a little bit more, but it was time to leave and start the highlights of Turkey.

Itinerary of the day: Chora Museum → Asitane Restaurant → Golden Horn → Sabiha Gökçen Airport → Pamukkale (Denizli Çardak Airport)

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 3: Istanbul

Architectural jewels, the Ottoman past, a religious ceremony and Europe-Asia hopping: the must-sees and must-dos of Istanbul sums up what was packed into our third day. I also almost got killed on this day and am very lucky to be alive to tell the tale.

Itinerary of the day: Hagia Sophia → Basilica Cistern → Topkapi Palace → Whirling Dervish performance at Galata Mevlevi Lodge → Kadıköy (dinner at Ciya Sofrasi) 

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 2: Istanbul

Today is the first day of the 4-day holiday, Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice), and I had to schedule around it and visited some less-popular sites in Istanbul. Even away from Sultanahmet, the culture shock continued.

Itinerary of the day: Valens Aqueduct → Suleymaniye Mosque → Rustem Pasha Mosque → Eminönü → Istanbul Archaeological Museums → Istiklal Caddesi → Sekiz Istanbul

Warning: This post contains a photo of animal butchering, please view at your own discretion

[Turkey 2014 Trip Report] Day 1: Istanbul

Turkey is a country of countless romantic stories which fed my imagination for the longest time. This year, I've decided to put an end to the fantasies and check into reality. What I didn't anticipate was how much of a culture shock to prepare for, and my first day was indeed, quite shocking.

Itinerary of the day: Toronto (Pearson International Airport) → Istanbul (Ataturk Airport) → Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia night shoot (exterior)