Of Kebabs, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Underground City ... Of Turkiye::Turkey::!!

Turkey is definitely one of my favourite countries to travel throughout these few years of country-hopping. Not to mention its exotic kebabs with succulent lamb/chicken filling and fresh salads (which costed only 5YTL i.e. less than £2.50) which satisfy every taste bud that innervates to my gluttony, I was utterly moved by its blend of histories and cultures originating from the time when East meets West. Here, I am just going to highlight some of my favourite spots/features. Nonetheless, the beauty of Turkey is simply beyond words.

1. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) & Hagia Sophia

These two magnificient buildings were built facing each other, which kept me imagining them as a lovely couple, looking at each other with love until the day after forever. Despite the Blue Mosque becomes the majority's (among my 6-sekawan 'Turkey explorers') favourite, I was much fascinated by the history of Hagia Sophia. It was originally constructed as a church on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, serving as a religious focal point of Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly 1000 years; then when Constantipole was conquered by Ottoman Turks, it was converted into a mosque. Now, Hagia Sophia is a museum in the Republic of Turkey.

It was very amazing to see Islamic features alongside the Christian relics, testimony to the rise and fall of an empire and such elements nonetheless beautify Hagia Sophia with its historical enrichment.

2. Turkish Bath
Believe me, this is definitely an once-in-a-lifetime experience! 3 beauties in 6-sekawan went bathing together. We were asked to strip off completely (with underwear on) and lie on a huge marble stone (see picture above), waiting to be lathered, washed, brushed and rinsed. Sounds pretty much like a piece of cloth being thrown into a washing machine eh? Haha. At first, I found it a bit awkward to get nude in front of the other two, what's more shi chian is my roommate whom I have to see everyday! Erm, not very pleasant to be reminded of my/her naked body whenever you see her getting ready for shower at home gua ... But there was really no point hiding myself when everybody was doing the same in there, I don't want others to perceive me like a shy Malaysia orang hutan lar! Surprisingly not even after 10 minutes, I already felt so comfortable in such a state and could actually start observing and was totally amazed by the diversity of sizes around! Hahahahahaha ....

3. Bahaus Guesthouse (Istanbul) & Star Cave Hostel (Cappadocia)

We were very lucky indeed to see the free belly-dancing show provided by Bahaus Guesthouse as their nighttime entertainment. Aizat and I were even luckier to be picked by the hot, sexy (despite she looked kinda old to me) Turkish belly-dancer. People in Turkey were unbelievably friendly and warm, and I felt so at home eventhough cigaratte smell in the louge was choking me somehow :P
My love for these affable, lively and outgoing Turkish people culminated during the one-night stay at Star Cave Hostel. Ahmed, the owner, although not a talkative person, but this old man was very kind and warm-hearted. 6-sekawan missed the dinner time due to the total collapse of our body clock, but Ahmed was sooo kind to cook us a late dinner and that was the best dinner ever! Nonetheless, his son Ramazan was the 'pet' of all!! He taught us the thrilling, heart-attacking 'spoon-game', entertained and warmed our soul so much in the cold night of Cappadocia. And not to forget these 2 yong men, Fatih and Mimes, who were absolutely literal gay ones and actually came out with a crooked version of pondan belly dance that made every single of us to laugh our head off!
With lovely people in Star Cave

Our love letter to Star Cave Hotel

Oh people ... how I miss you all!!!!!

4. Rose Valley, Uchisar Castle, Churches, Open-air museum and ... a very gentleman Singaporean :P

Cappadocia is well-known for its exceptional, unique natural wonders defined by fairy chimneys and historical and cultural heritage. Formation of such a unique huge region was under the influence of lava and erosion for a long long ime. I consider myself very very lucky and indeed am grateful for being able to marvel at such wonderful creation of nature in my life. I had an emotional ripple when our tour-guide couldn't stress more on how Christians and Muslims lived happily and peacefully together when introducing us the graveyards, where people of different religion now lying side by side, perhaps still making friends, 6-feet under.

I just wonder why must people 6-feet above segragate and catagorise others according to different religion? Why must love be neglected if we don't share the same belief? Is there a need to define the level of intimacy we could share, according to which God you praise?
Hmm, to me, such border should be given no place at all in front of true love, be it in any kind of relationships.

Ok ok, off the serious emo stuff and resume the very tiny bimbo bit in me. Hahaha. Just girls being girls ok...! There was this singaporean guy with his parents in our tour group. He was sooooOOoo gentleman and actually waited for every lady in 6-sekawan to land safely from the slope, before catching up with his parents. And he even helped Shi Chian to take her bag after her pottery 'showcase'. Nonetheless, a smile was always carved on his face. How very sweet and nice of him! Erm, I really have to admit this ... of all the guys I met, nice and sweet guy always seem to be a Singaporean ... Ahem, Msian guy .. it's time to learn from your neighbour, perhaps? Hehehehe.

That's all about my winter trip to Turkey.

::Winter 2008. A break I shall not forget, when my heart was completely captivated by the beautiful people, places, history and culture of thou -- Turkey.::