Heading Home: Greenland

While eating South American cuisine on a Dutch airliner headed to Texas from the Middle East... I looked out the window and saw Greenland!

Istanbul: Rustem Pasa Mosque

Istanbul: Dome of Hagia Sophia

Istanbul: Whirling Dervish

One if the things I wanted to photograph was a whirling dervish. Finally came across one a couple of days before the trip was over.

Istanbul: Hagia Sophia from Hotel Roof

Tire: Meeting New Friends

We came across these craftsmen in the city of Tire during their tea break. They invited us to join them, ordered tea for us and would not let us pay for it. They were excited that we were interested in photographing them. The man on the right fired up his furnace and demonstrated tinned a pot for us. From what we gathered (they didn't speak much english), the building they worked in was 1500 years old!Publish Post

Pamukkale

Jeff soaking his feet in the hot spring water of Pamukkale with the spectacular white travertine terraces in the background.

Sulcuk: Camlik Open Air Locomotive Museum

Sulcuk: Library of Ephesus

Sulcuk: Baptistry at Basilica of St. John

St. John is believed to have been buried here. Later, a church was built on this site. It is mostly in ruins now. From this site, what remains of the Temple of Artemis can be seen.

Kas: Colorful Cafe

Kas at Night

This is the view from the roof top patio at our hotel.

Kas: Weekly Market

Ruins near Demre

On the west side of Demre, behind a radiator shop, there is this fantastic ruin with nothing to document what it is.

Olympos: Tomb with Sliding Door

This tomb, and others like it in the area, has a sliding door at it's opening. Not sure why that is.

Olympos: Turkish Pancake

This lady is making me a gozleme, what I call a Turkish pancake. After rolling it out, she will cook it on that round stove in the background, then sprinkle toppings on it and fold it over several times. M-m-m-m-m-m-m!

Rock Cut Tombs of Myra

Next to the ancient theater at Myra are these tombs carved into the rock. Saint Nicholas, the bishop of Myra in the 4th century, is believed to be the person that Santa Claus was based on.

Olympos: Tomatoes in Greenhouse

There are thousands of greenhouses in Turkey, and tomatoes are one of the main crops grown in them.

Olympos: Sarcophagus

Cappadocia: Breakfast in Turkey

Breakfast comes with your hotel. As you can see it consists of tomatoes, celery, cheese, olives, and Wi-Fi.

Cappadocia: Balloons

Balloon rides are very popular here and I bet they provide spectacular views of the unique rock formations. It was very expensive though (we checked), so we settled for a more conventional view.

Cappadocia: Window in the Rock

Cappadocia: Church of Three Crosses

It's a little tricky finding a way up into this church, but once you find it, it's not too hard. The name of this church comes from the fact that there are three crosses carved in the ceiling.

Cappadocia: Elmali Church

The Elmali Church is one of many churches in the  Goreme Open Air Museum. Like the others, it is carved out of the rock. The churches in this area are from the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries.

Cappadocia: Cave Homes in Cavusin

Istanbul: Spice Market

Entrance to the Spice Market as seen from the steps of the New Mosque. In the background, center of picture, is the Rustem Pasa Mosque, which is well worth visiting.

Istanbul: Haghia Sophia

The Haghia Sophia was completed in the year 537. It served as a church in Constantinople until the city was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. The city was rename Istanbul and the church was converted to a mosque. It is now a museum.

Canals of Amsterdam

Arrived in the Netherlands early in the morning and had a 13 1/2 hour layover. So I took the train from Schiphol Airport into Amsterdam. Did a lot of walking!

Off to Amsterdam

A few months ago my brother called me and wanted to know if I was interested in taking a month long trip to Turkey with him. I said "sure!" So here I am on the first leg of my trip there. KLM was a great airline to travel on and the non-stop flight from DFW to Amsterdam was less than half full.