CROSSROADS

TRAVEL • MAY 2015 • TURKEY (ISTANBUL, PAMUKKALE, CAPPADOCIA)

Turkey sets me off at a part of the world that is until now been alien to me. While I'm used to identifying a travel experience based on the association to very distinct cultural elements of a country, here's one place that can be pretty confusing when it comes to that. Sights of women dressed in black abayas are common amongst their modern counterparts sporting the latest European fashion trends. Echoes of prayers from nearby mosques chime in to the latest Western pop culture-influenced music from bars and trendy cafes in town. Our intepretation of Turkey seems to take on different sides as we traverse from one street to the next, and from one neighbourhood to the others.

This charming crossroad of the East and the West, our journey has just begun.

Sultanahmed Mosque, The Blue Mosque.

A little romance on the ferry from Kadikoy to Eminonu.

Posing in front of the wall of a famous Hamam in town was unfortunately as close as we got to experiencing this unique Turkish culture.

The unforgettable Turkish breakfast spread of Kale Cafe.

Local women in abayas enjoying a sunny day at the Balat Park.

Approaching tram at the Istikal Caddesi.

Just too many cute things to shoot at the Emirgan Park.

Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.

At a colourful tunnel of the Levent metro station, Istanbul.

Cheerful darling posing in front of tulips in full blooms. Emirgan Park, Istanbul.

Local kids at the Ozlem Park.

Kronotrop Coffee Bar and Roaster, Istanbul.

Fetching us some bubble dreams. Istikal Caddesi.

At the charming Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener neighbourhood.

Gleaming with excitement while waiting for our outbound flight at the airport.

Balat, Istanbul.

Cafune Coffee, Istanbul.

Fur kid negotiating a tight corner, Cihangir, Istanbul.

Rushing off to an imaginery play. Pamukkale Hierapolis Ancient City.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

At a local barber, Istanbul.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Stretching a little in the name of art. Istanbul Modern, Museum of Modern Art.

Pigeon Valley, Cappadocia.

Pigeon Valley, Cappadocia.

Istanbul.

Istanbul Modern. Museum of Modern Art, Istanbul.

Istanbul.

Cappadocia.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Cihangir, Istanbul.

At the Moda neighbourhood, Istanbul.

Taka Ev cave hotel, Cappadocia.

On a ferry ride, Istanbul.

Sultanahmet Mosque, The Blue Mosque, Istanbul.

Around town, Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia mosque, Istanbul.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Cappadocia.

On a ferry ride, Istanbul.

Balat Sahil park, Istanbul.

Balat Sahil Park, Istanbul.

Crossing the Galata Bridge, Istanbul.

Cihangir, Istanbul.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge, Istanbul.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Pigeon Valley, Cappadocia.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Beyoglu, Istanbul

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Pammukale Hierapolis Ancient City.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Balat Sahil Park, Istanbul.

Pigeon Valley, Cappadocia.

The charming neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray/Balat/Fener, Istanbul.

Istanbul Modern. Museum of Modern Art.

Istanbul Modern. Museum of Modern Art.

Istanbul Modern. Museum of Modern Art.

Istanbul Modern. Museum of Modern Art.

Istakil Caddesi, Istanbul.

Pammukale Travertines.

Pammukale Travertines.

Tulips in full bloom at the Hagia Sophia park.

Metro station, Istanbul.

Emirgan Park, Istanbul.

The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul.

Lunch spread at Ciya Sofrasi, Istanbul.

Beyoglu, Istanbul.

Beyoglu, Istanbul.

Brew Lab Cafe, Istanbul.

View from the top of Uchisar Castle, Cappadocia.