Türkiye

Turkey is a beautiful country. It is the only country located between 2 continents, Europe and Asia. Turkey is rich with history (Byzantine & Ottoman Empire), culture and etc etc. Not gonna revise my history class here. Anyway, I went to Turkey on the 9th April - 18th April 2010 (9 days). Its Spring season, so the weather was nice. Its my international study trip with my classmates. Besides those annoying people, the whole trip was good.

9th April 2010

0000hrs flight to Istanbul. 11 hours straight of flight really kills.

10th April 2010

Arrived at Istanbul 6am (11am Malaysia time). It was cold about 11 degrees. Somewhere there.

Went to visit Istanbul famous landmark, Blue Mosque. The only mosque which has 6 minarets.

Inside Blue Mosque

Class photo!

The Famous Hagia Sophia

Then we went to Topkapi Palace.

After that, it was time to head to Boru for the night. The bridge in the picture is the bridge between Europe and Asia.

Our hotel in Boru. It was freezing. The temp at night was below 0.

Had a nice buffet dinner

11th April 2010

It was 2 degrees in the morning. It was so cold in Boru. We then headed down to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. We visited the Ankara Museum. Most of the Turkish never seen any asian before. The only ones they always see are the grandma and grandpa Japanese. So when they saw us, we were like celebrities. They kept on taking pics with us. I really lost count.

Oh, and Turkish guys are hawt!! HAHAHA

Then it was lunch time. Most of our meals are the same. They dont have a vast variety of food like Msia. (Msia Rocks!). So almost every meal, we ate the same thing and was getting sick of it. Not only that, the food was either very salty or very sweet.

This is the salad. (this meal was consider one of the best)

Potato Soup

Tandoori

Rice Pudding.

Then we were on our way to Cappadocia. On the way there, we stopped and visited the Salt Lake.

Finally arrived and checked into the so-called 5 star hotel. Talking about hotels, their standards are really low. 5 star hotels are like 3.5 star in Msia. They dont provide hot water, no swimming pool, Business centre, etc. Facilities are not good enough, but it was ok.

SS-ing in the room. After dinner, we walked down to town. Had a cup of apple tea and some ice cream. =)

12th April 2010

Visited the Kaymakli Underground City. It was the hiding place for the Christians. It could accommodate about 50,000 people. Really an amazing place.

Those hanging on the tree are known as Evil Eye. They are seen everywhere. It is believed by the locals that it will help to keep "dirty things" away. Every car, every house, everyone will have one on their jacket.....etc..

the awesome Turkey beer, Efes Pilsen. Very smooth and strong. Nice!

Then we were off to visit the largest open air museum in the world, Goreme Open Air Museum. Visit all the different cathedrals.

Turkey is famous for Silk and it is often used to make carpet. 1 carpet might need almost 2-3 yrs to finish. Depending on the size and pattern.

Cappadocia is also famous for its wine.

13th April 2010

We left Cappadocia in the morning. Heading to Pammukale. Today's journey was the longest. We had to travel 10 hours to Pammukale, stopping in Konya.

Mevlana Museum

After 10 hours, we finally arrived in Pammukale. Around 9pm. So eager to check in to the hotel until we checked in, we nearly fainted. The place was like some haunted hostel. It was so scary until 6 of us cramped into the same room for the night.

14th April 2010

Went to the famous landmark of Pammukale, Cotton Castle. The place was really amazing.

Christina & Ray went for a dip in the hot spring

Hierapolis

After that, we headed west to Kusadasi. Kusadasi is famous for its beautiful sea. The one in the picture is Aegean Sea, aka Sea of Love "爱情海". And if you can see those islands opposite (the blur ones) is Greece!! Yes, Greece was right opposite us.

The weather was getting warmer. About 24 degrees.

We visited Ephesus in the afternoon. Ephesus is the ancient city of the romans. Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation.

Library of Celsus

Amphitheatre

15th April 2010

We woke up at 5am and had the most delicious breakfast, Maggi!!Haha. Then, Traveled up to Bursa. Went for shopping at the Silk Market.

The must-eat Turkish Ice Cream

Checked in hotel and it was free and easy time. SHOPPING! Wee..we went to MNG and it was on clearance sales. Bought a top which cost 4.90 Lira (About RM10+) and a pair of jeans. =D 满载而归啊！

16th April 2010

2 hours drive back to Istanbul. Had a very good lunch.

Then to the famous tourist place for shopping, Grand Bazaar! Place for souvenirs.

Egyptian Bazaar

Turkish Delight! *drools*

Spices

At night, we went out to the nearby shops trying to find a place that serves beer and shisha, but dont have 2 in 1. So in the end, we went to a beer house right opposite our hotel. Had a great time.

17th April 2010

The day we flew home and the day i got really pissed. The immigration in Turkey sucks! No system at all. We queued there for almost an hour and suddenly 3 middle east ladies just walked passed us and line up beside me. 1 of them was trying to cut our line. My friends and i were arguing with her the whole time because she gave us stupid excuses and in the end said "Dont understand, language problem" !@#$@#!%% When it was my turn, she just slipped in and we passed our passport to the guy, and the guy took her passport! WTH?!!! I was so pissed! Everyone was actually looking at her. 真是厚脸皮！酱的人都有。

18th April 2010

Arrived in KL at 5.30am.

Good trip

Nice place!