Turkey

Photo of the Week: Roman Theatre

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Aspendos (19)Aspendos, Turkey

One of the best preserved ancient Roman theaters is, oddly enough, not even located in Italy.  It can be found near the Southern coast of Turkey, by the city of Antalya.  This UNESCO World Heritage Site is frequented by hundreds of thousands of people every year.  We were there earlier in the morning, and had the place to ourselves.  In the summer, the beautiful building also hosts the annual Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival where visitors get a chance to experience the acoustics of this ancient theater.

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.

Photo of the Week: Cistern

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Istanbul (853)Istanbul, Turkey

Recently, Turkey has been dominating the news cycle for all the wrong reasons.  People  have started to associate the country with turmoil and military coups, but the Turkey I fell in love with all those years ago was a country rich in culture and history.  It’s Euro-Asian location offers unique blend of Eastern and Western influences that makes Istanbul one-of-a-kind.  One of the most interesting things I learned is that there are hundreds of ancient cisterns hidden beneath the city, used to store and supply water to the residents.  Pictured above is the Basilica Cistern, the largest of its kind, located right in the heart of the city.  At first glance, the tall striking columns and the somber lighting make the space look more like a sacred temple than a water reservoir.

Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Photo of the Week: Bosphorus Strait

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Istanbul (986)Istanbul, Turkey

The city of Istanbul straddles two continents, Europe and Asia.  With its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Mediterranean and the Black Seas, it has attracted many conquering armies over the centuries.  It has also had lead to a mix of East and West culture that has made the city one of the most unique in the world. This picture was taken from the Bosphorus Strait where the ancient Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque stand out prominently in the city skyline.

Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Photo of the Week: Ephesus

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Ephesus (398)Ephesus, Turkey

Ephesus was an important trade center of the ancient world through many successions of empires from the Greek to Roman to Ottoman.  This was one of the richest cities in the world for centuries, once famed for the Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  

This is a photo of Curetes Street, the main pathway leading from the Gates of Hercules to the famed library of Celsus. The wide street, paved with marble, was once lined with shops in ancient times.  All that is left now are the crumpling pillars and mosaics that have managed to stand the test of time.   

Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Photo of the Week: Watercolor

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Antalya (21)Antalya, Turkey

Towards the end of our whirlwind trip around Turkey seven years ago, we visited the coastal city of Antalya, situated on western Mediterranean shore. The ancient city wraps around the harbor of the Gulf of Antalya. When the sun sets over the hazy blue mountain, it creates a breathtaking silhouette.  I was lucky to be able to capture this special moment.  From the cliff-top, the view looks like a watercolor painting.

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.

Photo of the Week: Repose

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Pergamum (168)Pergamum, Turkey

Walking up the winding road we came upon the ruins of Pergamum, an ancient city that once rivaled that of Alexandria and Ephesus.  Perched atop a windswept mountain is the Theater of Pergamum, one of the steepest theaters in the world. We sat on the well-worn steps among the remnants of the forgotten city and were transported back to another time.

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.

Photo of the Week: Rays

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Cappadocia (42)Sultanhani, Turkey

On our tour around Turkey, we stopped by the Sultanhani Caravanserai, one of the finest caravanserais of its kind.  It was built by the sultans in the 1200s and has been preserved to this day. Prominently located on the main trade route through Turkey, it was an important stop for traders and travellers. Weary merchants of the Middle Ages would stop in to eat and rest before continuing on their journey from Asia to Europe.

Inside, there is a prominent courtyard surrounded by rooms. The caravanserais are built like fortresses, with walls constructed from volcanic rocks. The sturdy designs have kept them preserved for many centuries.

During our visit, we stopped here for lunch and got to explore the many rooms inside the caravanserai, most of which are empty now.  In one of these unoccupied darken hallways, we saw these beautiful rays of light filtering through the small window openings at the top.

Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Photo of the Week: Spices

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Istanbul (818)Istanbul, Turkey

This picture was taken during our stroll through the spice bazaar in Istanbul.  The bustling marketplace was filled with a multitude of stalls selling spices, teas, and a variety of dried goods.  As you wander around the ancient corridors, you are taken in by the rich colors of the spices, originating from all over the world. It is easy to see why Istanbul was once the center of the spice trade.

Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Photo of the Week: Reflection

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Ankara (9)Lake Tuz, Turkey

This photo was taken towards the end of our trip to Turkey.  After 6 hours on the bus, we were very eager to get out and stretch our legs.  Walking to the salt flats on a cloudy day, it’s hard to tell where the sky ends and Earth begins.  I was taking pictures of the reflection, and out of the corner of my eyes I saw this boy skipping.  I turned around just in time to capture this image.  It’s still one of my favorite photo of all time.

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.