As some of you already know, I will be leaving for my trip to Turkey early tomorrow morning. I have a flight out of New York Kennedy (ten hours long!) and will arrive in Istanbul on Wed. morning! I'm both excited and nervous about this trip, as I'm going solo (not such a big deal) but I don't speak the language and the culture is very different from mine. Some of the sites I will be visiting are among the most amazing in the world, so I will indeed be taking loads of pictures and sharing them with everyone upon my return, which won't be until the following Friday (March 14). Wish me luck, everyone. I will talk to you guys once I've arrived back home!

have a safe and fun trip! :)

Enjoy your trip. :)

As some of you already know, I will be leaving for my trip to Turkey early tomorrow morning. I have a flight out of New York Kennedy (ten hours long!) and will arrive in Istanbul on Wed. morning! I'm both excited and nervous about this trip, as I'm going solo (not such a big deal) but I don't speak the language and the culture is very different from mine. Some of the sites I will be visiting are among the most amazing in the world, so I will indeed be taking loads of pictures and sharing them with everyone upon my return, which won't be until the following Friday (March 14). Wish me luck, everyone. I will talk to you guys once I've arrived back home!


  Hey, have a good trip...

  I was in Antalya once, but didn't have time to see much.  I wish I was going with you... :(

 

Take care with your trip.

How's the weather over there?

Enjoy.

Have a safe trip.

Sounds great.  have a brilliant time

As some of you already know, I will be leaving for my trip to Turkey early tomorrow morning. I have a flight out of New York Kennedy (ten hours long!) and will arrive in Istanbul on Wed. morning! I'm both excited and nervous about this trip, as I'm going solo (not such a big deal) but I don't speak the language and the culture is very different from mine. Some of the sites I will be visiting are among the most amazing in the world, so I will indeed be taking loads of pictures and sharing them with everyone upon my return, which won't be until the following Friday (March 14). Wish me luck, everyone. I will talk to you guys once I've arrived back home!


No ... I didn't know.

Well, Michael ...have a great time ...... and don't do a 'Midnight Express' on us !  :o  ...... yeah , I believe that film was set in that country !

Put me off ever going there  :(

Well, I expect things have changed quite a bit since ....


Have a great one !  (Yeah, GOOD LUCK !)  ;D  8)

Take plenty of pics of the Hagia Sophia. That place is gorgeous and very very unique.

Have a safe journey and enjoy yourself. :)

...even old New York was once New Amsterdam.  Why they changed it, I can't say.  People just like it better that way!

:D

Have fun in Turkey.  Do they have turkeys in Turkey?  But I guess that's nobody's business but the Turks'...

Wow, way cool. Have a great and safe trip. And yes, we want to see the pics when you get back.



Cat

have fun Michael, be safe and enjoy the belly dancers.  and don't let that Midnight Express movie scare you. souvenirs wanted: Turkish delight, and one of those curved Turkish daggers, some hash and a hookah pipe. looking forward to pics  :)


of course I'm only jesting and kidding about this stuff ^

Have fun & be safe! You're very brave, going on your own.  Not because of where you're going, just to be going to another country by yourself, especially one that doesn't speak English.  I couldn't do it, but I give you many props! 
can't wait to see the pics!

Have a great trip,Michael. You're going to love it,Istambul is a really vibrant place,a great mix of both Europe and Asia and don't worry most people understand and speak english.

Like Jess said make sure you visit the Hagia Sophia and check the Blue Mosque too which is free of charge(at least it was when i went) oh and for the best views go to Camilca on the asian side it's breathtaking.

Thanks so much for all of the encouragement, well-wishes and advice, everyone! I intend to make this the trip of a lifetime!

And, Alan... do you know how many times people have brought up that movie to me when I told them I was going to Turkey?!?  ;D :D ;D

See you guys upon my return! :)

Have fun. :)  We want pictures.

Have fun. :)  We want pictures.







  ::)  Yeah, alright. ....  :-X















As for me ? 'I want candy' !    ..................  Bow Wow Wow !  >:(















Yeah, I'll settle for a 'Turkish Delight' !  :P  ;D

Alan...karma for you...for being funny

Alan...karma for you...for being funny


Belle .... karma for you .... cos I ALWAYS aim to reciprocate .... to anybody and everybody (as if I have to trumpet that fact again !  ::) )


and also, cos I think you like it (karma ?  :-\\ ) ....... http://forum.pc-freakz.com/style_emoticons/default/secret.gif 
                                                                      (Don't tell anyone ...... she's a 'karma whore' ! )

Belle .... karma for you .... cos I ALWAYS aim to reciprocate .... to anybody and everybody (as if I have to trumpet that fact again !  ::) )


and also, cos I think you like it (karma ?  :-\\ ) ....... http://forum.pc-freakz.com/style_emoticons/default/secret.gif 
                                                                       (Don't tell anyone ...... she's a 'karma whore' ! )



Shhhh!  ;D

It's lonesome on these boards tonight. :( :(

Shhhh!  ;D



Too late !  :-[  :\'(


Not much of a secret though. Think 'blind Freddy' and 90 % of the site could see that !  :P  ;D

Oh, Alan?  How 'bout all those times I karmad you and you didn't reciprocate? :P ;D





















                                                                               |
                                                                               .

                                                                               .                                                                               
                                                                               .
                                                                               v

It's lonesome on these boards tonight. :( :(


I imagine Phil will shore up the night-shift ..... and would expect gibbo to make an appearance. Me too, at some point ....

Too late !   :-[   :\'(


Not much of a secret though. Think 'blind Freddy' and 90 % of the site could see that !  :P   ;D




Doh!

Oh, Alan?  How 'bout all those times I karmad you and you didn't reciprocate? :P ;D




Yeah ..... right !  ::)

Yeah ..... right !  ::)

???

I'm home, guys! To say that my trip to Istanbul was amazing would be such an understatement, as it was one of those soul-stirring trips of a lifetime for me. Saw so many incredible things and learned a great deal about how the world is and about myself and my abilities as well. I will have to write everything down in my blog and organize my thoughts, which I will post at a later time. I will post a few pictures from my wonderful time in Turkey:

The Hagia Sophia Mosque:

http://a888.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/m_70d022b527b5cdbae83cec69da519d77.jpg

Standing before the Sultanahmet Mosque (also called the Blue Mosque), bathed in light.

http://a238.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/29/l_83add245e4ded914e96ac3a5fd8d4d8d.jpg

I'll post more pictures, I promise!

I'm home, guys! To say that my trip to Istanbul was amazing would be such an understatement, as it was one of those soul-stirring trips of a lifetime for me. Saw so many incredible things and learned a great deal about how the world is and about myself and my abilities as well. I will have to write everything down in my blog and organize my thoughts, which I will post at a later time. I will post a few pictures from my wonderful time in Turkey:

The Hagia Sophia Mosque:

http://a888.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/m_70d022b527b5cdbae83cec69da519d77.jpg

Standing before the Sultanahmet Mosque (also called the Blue Mosque), bathed in light.

http://a238.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/29/l_83add245e4ded914e96ac3a5fd8d4d8d.jpg

I'll post more pictures, I promise!



Welcome back. Glad you had a great time and the photos are great. Post more.




Cat

I'm home, guys! To say that my trip to Istanbul was amazing would be such an understatement, as it was one of those soul-stirring trips of a lifetime for me. Saw so many incredible things and learned a great deal about how the world is and about myself and my abilities as well. I will have to write everything down in my blog and organize my thoughts, which I will post at a later time. I will post a few pictures from my wonderful time in Turkey:

The Hagia Sophia Mosque:

http://a888.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/m_70d022b527b5cdbae83cec69da519d77.jpg

Standing before the Sultanahmet Mosque (also called the Blue Mosque), bathed in light.

http://a238.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/29/l_83add245e4ded914e96ac3a5fd8d4d8d.jpg

I'll post more pictures, I promise!


Great pics Michael. Glad to see you made it back safely !

I'm home, guys! To say that my trip to Istanbul was amazing would be such an understatement, as it was one of those soul-stirring trips of a lifetime for me. Saw so many incredible things and learned a great deal about how the world is and about myself and my abilities as well. I will have to write everything down in my blog and organize my thoughts, which I will post at a later time. I will post a few pictures from my wonderful time in Turkey:

The Hagia Sophia Mosque:

http://a888.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/m_70d022b527b5cdbae83cec69da519d77.jpg

Standing before the Sultanahmet Mosque (also called the Blue Mosque), bathed in light.

http://a238.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/29/l_83add245e4ded914e96ac3a5fd8d4d8d.jpg

I'll post more pictures, I promise!
Well back, the scenery look amazing.

Those pics are gorgeous.

I'm home, guys! To say that my trip to Istanbul was amazing would be such an understatement, as it was one of those soul-stirring trips of a lifetime for me. Saw so many incredible things and learned a great deal about how the world is and about myself and my abilities as well. I will have to write everything down in my blog and organize my thoughts, which I will post at a later time. I will post a few pictures from my wonderful time in Turkey:

The Hagia Sophia Mosque:

http://a888.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/m_70d022b527b5cdbae83cec69da519d77.jpg

Standing before the Sultanahmet Mosque (also called the Blue Mosque), bathed in light.

http://a238.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/29/l_83add245e4ded914e96ac3a5fd8d4d8d.jpg

I'll post more pictures, I promise!


Awesome pictures! Glad to see you had a wonderful trip. :)

Beautiful!  and the Mosques are nice too.  :)  Glad you made it home safely and had a soul-stirring time.  Looking forward to reading your blog and looking at more beautiful pics.

Have a fun trip Mike :)

Beware of the gasoline prices in Turkey.  It's about $3/litre.  To full your tank would cost over $140 :o

Have a fun trip Mike :)

Beware of the gasoline prices in Turkey.  It's about $3/litre.  To full your tank would cost over $140 :o


??? ??? ???


He's just RETURNED from Turkey. What you been drinking 'Whistle' ? Can I have some too ?  ???  :P  ;D

Thanks for the wonderful comments, guys! :) Jason, I did notice the outrageous gas prices while in Turkey! Here are a few more photographs:

The Galata Tower in Beyoglu, European side of Istanbul. Construction on the tower began in the year 1320.

http://a280.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/l_65d566212b0dd25ae5a7560b44f3818f.jpg

Standing on Asian soil for the first time, after the ferry boat trip from the European side of Istanbul.

http://a130.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/17/l_97538f8188c730eb20f908663f82cbf1.jpg

Thanks for the wonderful comments, guys! :) Jason, I did notice the outrageous gas prices while in Turkey! Here are a few more photographs:

The Galata Tower in Beyoglu, European side of Istanbul. Construction on the tower began in the year 1320.

http://a280.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/l_65d566212b0dd25ae5a7560b44f3818f.jpg

Standing on Asian soil for the first time, after the ferry boat trip from the European side of Istanbul.

http://a130.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/17/l_97538f8188c730eb20f908663f82cbf1.jpg





Impressive pics ! We look forward to more !  8)

your pics are awesome! I'm glad you had a fun and safe trip! :)

I'm looking forward to more pictures too. It looks beautiful.

Thanks again, everyone! :)

About to board the boat from Sultanahmet for the Bosphorous cruise to the Asian side of Istanbul, with Beyoglu in the background:

http://a515.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/111/l_007d8004132bd85379ab5be324832caa.jpg

A Sunday stroll along Istiklal Caddesi in Istanbul. They say over four million people walk this avenue on your average weekend. I'd say it's closer to six million!


http://a124.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/110/l_7287c690bf4189db23403872e3ed05a3.jpg

At the Bosphorous:
http://a959.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/35/l_02674afa2c1c30f0dc5170fa885f7666.jpg

Approaching the Hagia Sophia from Sultanahmet Square:

http://a393.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/24/l_2f4c7795e25fd9c5e390c9b4718f11b0.jpg

With my Turkish friends (l to r) Serkan, Burak, Myself and Murat at the Hospitality Club party in Galatasaray.

http://a541.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/102/l_92ba3d7de72800cc4891af544c7dbb4c.jpg

At the Bosphorous:
http://a959.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/35/l_02674afa2c1c30f0dc5170fa885f7666.jpg



That pic is gorgeous.  I'm glad you had a good trip. :)

I am soooo jealous. Glad you had a good time, wish I was there with you.  :)

Michael .... your Turkish friends look like GREAT people !  8) However, I hope you'll forgive me for saying .... that that guy wearing the cap  :-X ......


























http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/8669/mikesfriendscopy2hz2.jpg
Now HE looks to be a REAL 'Turkey' !  :P  ;D :D

Michael .... your Turkish friends look like GREAT people !  8) However, I hope you'll forgive me for saying .... that that guy wearing the cap  :-X ......


























http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/8669/mikesfriendscopy2hz2.jpg
Now HE looks to be a REAL 'Turkey' !  :P  ;D :D


Oh, Alan, you are just way too funny...  ;D  ;D  ;D

Wonderful photos!  It sounds as though your trip was everything you were hoping for.

Outside the gates of the Hagia Sophia Mosque:

http://a881.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/23/l_f5f36356832abafea228e0e43a8232f0.jpg

Inside the Dome of the Hagia Sophia:

http://a290.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/79/l_00e52093bb3c3d0ae7ba703664ffd9c1.jpg

The Mosaic of Jesus inside the Hagia Sophia:

http://a187.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/102/l_8ae31d5720ec3767cd07296022690d92.jpg

Approaching the Blue Mosque from Sultanahmet Square:

http://a856.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/4/l_949c3d7f087afef017790ff4fd6d314f.jpg

Great pictures,i knew you'd love it there :)

Great pictures,i knew you'd love it there :)


Thank you so much... I'm really glad that I went! :)