A competent guide, he is!

Abdul is his name! Big and burly, he appears quite formidable as a tourist guide! His matured looks belies his tender age of 31!

I find myself taken to him probably because I had not expected well spoken English from a Turkish guide! His 2 years in USA explains his fluency! 

No doubt the guides assigned at the other countries I've visited were just as informative, Abdul however, went an extra mile to the extent of elaborating his narration with printing materials complete with pictures and all, for our easier comprehension!

Ever so patient, never giving up, raising his voice every now and then to combat the non-English speaking miniority who were busy rattling as he narrated! 

History which had always been a dull subject during student days was somehow interesting shared by him!

Bidding him farewell with my bearish hug, I find missing him more than I missed Turkey!

As Noor, my tour mate remarked, it has always been the people that we missed, rarely the countries that we visited!

Thanks Abdul, for a job well done!

     

Merhaba! Nasilsin?

Hello! How have you been?

I have just recovered from the jet lag and a low grade fever of 38.2 Celcius, upon returning home last Tuesday.

Hitting straight to bed without first dry blowing after a hair wash and a shower, I had awakened to a sore throat and a runny nose after a 3-hour sleep! 

The air conditioner blasting direct on to me, must have been the cause of the rise in temperature!


ME! with Peace signs resting on the Tour Guide's shoulder!

The 10 days 7 nights, 22/04/12 - 01/05/12, package of Rm5,971 inclusive of insurance, was over too soon!

Well, was there ever a vacation that never ends too early??? sigh...

As Tuinny mentioned, I've always enjoyed my travels regardless of who I went with and where I visited!

Ain't that logical to ensure that every ringgit spent is fully stretched for optimum pleasure?  

We set off from Istanbul cruise along Bosphorus strait that divides Europe from Asia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, St Sophia to Cappadocia hot air balloon, land of ancient volcanic and undeground cities, camel valley, pigeon valley, carpet factory, belly dance to Pamukkale, Konya Sultanhani Caravanserai - rooms for merchants and animals, thermal pools in hotel, Cotton Castle - fantastic white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs, Virgin Mary's stone cottage to Kusadasi Ephesus - one of world's finest archaeological sites, harbouring splendid facade of Library of Celsius and amphitheaters which is still in use for concerts, Turkish delight shop to Canakkale, Ankara Pergamom - ancient kingdom, Troy - wooden horse and ruins, cable car to Acropolis - temple of Athena and famous Library, Ataturk Mausoleum, and back to Istanbul Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar.

Obvious that we had been living out of our suitcases, huh??!!

While some, those who had visited and even some among my group, have found the vacation to Istanbul distasteful, I being the outdoor type, have enjoyed all my walks through the ruins, ancient and underground cities.

I'm awed by the vast expanse of land and sea that encompasses most destinations, whereupon I experienced the exhilaration of a freedom to embark on a journey to nowhere!!

The fine weather of between 8 - 18 Celcius, I avoid warm climates when visiting as more often than not, we would be engaged in outdoor activities, alongwith an excellent guide and the cordiality of tour mates, contributed to the success of my vacation!

My elation is clearly depicted in my photos! For the first time, I was not CAMERA SHY!  

I felt and looked good! Egoistic, huh??!! My ego tells me you're bitterly jealous if you choose to disagree!!! Till then .... Gule Gule meaning bye'.........