Turkish Riviera

The Turkish Riviera city of Antalya was warm with plenty of sunshine which was a nice change from the cold of Cappadocia. Situated on the Gulf of Antalya in the Mediterranean, it's perfect for a sunbathing aficionado like me.

I was fortunate enough to find a lovely spot. The photo does not fully do justice to the beauty of the location and its scenery. Never have I sunbathed and swum in such panoramic surrounds.

The consequence? A bit too much sun for my own good!

Photo shot in Antalya, Turkey.

Aspendos

Sometimes you come across something that makes you gape in awe. This happened to me when I walked into the Roman theatre in Aspendos, Turkey.

They say a picture paints a thousand words. Here's proof of that. Need I say more? Restored, it still hosts concerts from time to time.

This is one occasion where one truly feels the need for conservation, preservation and restoration.

Photo of the Roman theatre in Aspendos, Turkey.

Cappadocia

'U havta do the balloooonnnnn', Alex kept telling me on Facebook. The balloon meant taking a flight on a hot air balloon over Cappadocia in Turkey, at sunrise. I had been toying with the idea and was undecided, partly due to a lack of time in my itinerary, partly due to the need to wake up at the ungodly hour of 4.50am and partly due to a fear of heights no less.

At the risk of missing out and the wrath of those who have done so before me, I decided to take the ride. Getting out of bed so early, in the cold weather was a chore, but what followed was an amazing experience. Photos can only tell so much of a story; it is the experience that stays with us.

The stunning landscapes viewed from above, the mutual exhilaration felt by my fellow passengers and I despite the language barrier, all add up to a wonderful memory and a tale that will be recounted many a time.

Photo shot from my balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey.

The Bosphorus

The Bosphorus is so scenic that one has to see it to believe it. I had the pleasure of taking a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait a few days ago and it certainly left a lasting impression.

From the historical palaces, monuments, mosques along its European and Asian shores to the towering bridges that span its width as well as the quaint villages that line it, each reminds one how lucky one is to have the opportunity to encounter such an experience.

The furthest stop of the cruise was Anadolu Kavagi. Trek up the hill in this little village and one is greeted by a view of the Bosphorus meeting the Black Sea. All I can say is that it is simply exhilarating.

Photo shot along the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.

Istanbul

I have been in Istanbul for 2 days. This is a solo trip, my first since the last one 2 decades ago, a birthday treat for myself, and somewhat of a rite of passage as well.

Istanbul is infinitely beautiful. The historical, architectural and cultural attractions. The scenic beauty of the Bosphorus. The exotic food. Their tea drinking tradition. Turkish delights. The like-minded awe that fellow tourists delight in.

Of course, tourism comes with its downsides as well. The crowds. Aggressive carpet shop owners and pushy restaurant touts, a minority, but still a nuisance. The upsides definitely outweigh the downs though. I head off to other parts of the country for a couple of days. But am looking forward to returning to Istanbul for a day and a bit before flying home. There is still much to see and do here.

Photo of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Beautiful Views

I went to do a site recce at Clearwater Sanctuary Resort in Batu Gajah recently. I'd driven past before but it was the first time I set foot in the resort 2 days ago.

They have chalets, golf, water sports. But nothing compares to the views. On a clear day, they are spectacular. Much greenery, beautiful trees, mountain ranges, still water.

Nice for a retreat away from the maddening crowds.

Photo shot a Clearwater Sanctuary Resort in Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia.

Renewing Ties

Sometimes, we take our relation-ships for granted, be it personal or work-related. We feel that having been part of a common bond, our ties remain strong. Things don't always turn out that way.

We sometimes neglect the relationship and let it fall by the wayside. At other times, we may take unfair advantage of it. Both ways, the relationship suffers.

It is therefore a good thing when an opportunity arises for us to move out of our comfort zone, perhaps break from our normal routine and embrace the renewal of ties. An opportunity to re-establish links, re-evaluate the relationship, appreciate the effort that has been taken to build the bonds that we share. Some of that I did in Kuching.

Photo of some of us involved in 'All About Weddings' at The Spring in Kuching, courtesy of Edwin Lay.