Why Visit Turkey

The Library of Celsus ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Turkey has now become one of my top cities to visit. As the only city to claim it's in 2 continents, Europe and Asia, it is interestingly unique. We stayed there for a week and although we stayed in Istanbul we also visited Ephesus and Cappadocia. You really must schedule these two places in your itinerary when you plan your trip to Turkey.

Derinkuyu Underground Village ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

The mix of cultures from the locals who lived there years ago to the Greeks, Romans and the Ottomans as well as the northern Africans who also went to its shores made today's Turkey a fascinating place not just for its heritage sites but for its food, art and crafts.

I have now started reading some of the novels about this wonderful country. I just finished A Thief's Tale by the famous historical fiction writer, Turney. Often, although fiction, these novels give me a picture of life at that time.

Carpet Weaver in Ephesus ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Derinkuyu Underground Village ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Cappadocia ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

The Cistern in Istanbul©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Christmas in Hanoi

Metropole Staff ©aesta1 All rights reserved.

Little did I know that the Vietnamese also celebrate Christmas maybe not with the religious meaning except for a few Christians in the country but for the other symbols like Santa, jingles, poinsettias, Christmas trees and parties.

Hanoi was full of Christmas symbols and shopping streets selling Christmas ornaments were busy. We even managed to get a turkey, some dried cranberries at prices beyond what they're worth but the spirit was there and we enjoyed ourselves.

We had a great Christmas lunch at the Metropole, a gift from our son's family, and it was sumptuous with a local choir in Santa costumes.

Metropole ©aesta1 All rights reserved.

Other Interesting Posts on Hanoi:

Tour West Lake in an Enviro Buggy

One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

One Pillar Pagoda ©aesta1 All rights reserved.

Last weekend we decided to check out the One Pillar Pagoda here in Hanoi. It is touted as one of the two iconic temples in Vietnam. The other temple is the Perfume Pagoda.

An old Buddhist temple, the Old Pillar Pagoda is still a place for Vietnamese to make offering and pray.It is often crowded as it is just beside another popular attraction, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial.

This pagoda was built by King Ly Thai Tho who ruled in 1028-1054. King Ly Thai Tho according to court records was childless but one day he dreamt of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara who handed him a baby son. He immediately married a peasant girl who bore him a son so in gratitude for this gift, he built this temple in the middle of the lotus pond akin to what he dreamt.

Offering at One Pillar Pagoda ©aesta1 All rights reserved.

Other Interesting Posts on Hanoi:

Tour West Lake in an Enviro Buggy

7th Day prayer for King Father

Cambodians gathered yesterday evening, October 20, to pray in front of the Royal Palace. This is the 7th day of the King Father's passing on. Over 2,000 monks marched to join in the prayer.

Cambodians, children, young and old, wearing black ribbons burnt incense and offered flowers to show their love for the King Father, Norodom Sihanouk. He is remembered with love by his people.

Cambodia Mourns for Beloved King Father

Cambodia is now mourning the passing on of the King Father, former King Norodom Sihanouk. He died in China of natural causes. His remains, accompanied by his wife and son, the current King of Cambodia, King Sihamoni was brought here in Phnom Penh yesterday. It is now at the Royal Palace. People lined up in the streets, many of them in tears, to have a last glimpse of his remains.