Thanks so much for the tips you gave on my report. This is the same problem I experience with every report I write - what to include and what to leave out owing to the limited space and really my limited experience.
I do remember it being really cheap to cross the bridge but could remember what I actually paid -so yet again thanks.
I also couldn't remember the time it took by ferry. Do you have an idea of how long it takes - is it more like 10 to 15 minutes instead of 30?
Absolutely loved the Black Sea photos. You really have some beautiful pictures. The monestary location is so dramatic and you got a great picture through the window. It looks like you had a wonderful trip and you have a beautiful country. Hope to go there someday!
Posted: 2007-11-04 04:24 PM
Burak,
Thanks for looking at my pictures.
I HATE it when people reserve seats on the beach and don't turn up until very late. We usually go for a quick swim and then leave the beach, but some mornings it was impossible to find a space.
Rudi's explanation of Medina is perfect.
His answer: "medina" comes from the Arabic word "al-madînah" (the city). The term is usually used for that part of a North African city with narrow streets and little shops. It is said the streets are narrow and curvy to confuse intruders or envaders!
Medina refers to the part of the old town where people live, the part with the shops are is called souk.
It is very similar to Turkish Bazar, I am particularly thinking about Konya. (Have you ever been there).
I am inclined to think to 'bazar' refers to the part of the old town with the shops, Is there a Turkish word for the old town where people live?
Posted: 2007-10-15 10:18 AM
Burak,
I liked your new photos especially the mosque with the coloured lamps. I did miss ramadan in Turkey, but not in Tunisia. It was strange to see how all restaurants and cafés were dead quiet during the day. Only so called tourist restaurants were open. Tunisians would go inside these and drink coffee and smoke.
We wanted to buy beer in our hotel for a Tunsian we met (and who had offered us(and paid) soft drinks). The first glass of beer went all right, but when we ordered a second we were told that alcoholic drinks are not served to Tunisian during ramadan. This tunisian was a non practising muslim.
Next year ramadan will be all month of september, maybe we will spend some time in Turkey. If we do this we will go to Yamurtalik (near Ceyhan). We were there once and wouls like to go back. It is also a good opportunity to go to the Hatay (again). But I don't know yet what we will be doing next year.
Posted: 2007-07-19 05:39 PM
Burak,
I thought you might like to see what one of the mosques in The hague looks like. The Al Aqsa Mosque id where part of the Turkish community meet. It is in the centre of The Hague where many Turkish people live. I uploaded three photos and wrote about it in the tips section.
http://www.globosapiens.net/marianne/travel-tip-al-aqsa-mosque-4341.html
http://www.globosapiens.net/marianne/pictures-interior-al-aqsa-mosque-44854.html
The photos of the interior are not particularly good because i did not want to disturb prayer and did not use flash (I asked if I could take photos and I could)
Posted: 2007-06-27 02:40 AM
Burak,
How are you? I have been really swamped with projects at work and have missed being on-line. I am glad you like the picture - it is actually taken on top of Tikal's Temple II, looking toward Temple I. My son climbed up a couple of steps above me to take it (the stairs are step) which gives it an odd angle.
We just got back from a tour through 6 different Mayan sites. I am hoping to have time to write a couple of reports next week. I still have a couple to write from my trip to India :-)
Posted: 2007-05-22 01:43 PM
Burak,
One day you will see my profile picture and Istanbul in the background. We were in Istanbul quite recently (2005), so the city will have to wait a little longer before we revisit. We have been travelling in Hong Kong amd Bali, you will see my reports one by one. We returned early May, but I am still sorting out my photos. Where will travel to next?
Marianne
