Winter In Turkey: Karahan Tepe

Winter in Turkey Impressions #7: The way to Karahan Tepe brought me to a lovely campsite at the mediterranean sea near Iskenderun, before i continue my trip along the Syrian border to Sanliurfa, near the archeological site. This was merely a week before the huge, disastrous earthquake.

Karahan Tepe is one of the oldest settlement of human history. It is around 10000-12000 years old. Humans settled here approximately 10’000 – 12’000 years ago. Just discovered on early 2000’s it’s a rather young excavation site. In winter the work is paused and many areas are covered in tarpaulin.

Winter In Turkey: Tarsus

Winter In Turkey Impression #6: Tarsus offers not only historical places like the ‚Cleopatra’s Gate‘, but i was also lucky to meet a friend there, who explained me everything about the sweet „Künefe“.

Winter In Turkey: Kas and Demre

Winter in Turkey Impressions #5: A friend from Istanbul spent some times in Kas. I followed his invitation and he kindly showed me around in the area. One of the highlights was also the Church of Saint Nicholas from Demre, the real ‚Santa Claus‘, who was kind to children and gave them gifts.

Winter In Turkey: Antalya

Turkey in winter impressions #4: I spent New Years Eve in Antalya and surroundings, where i found a super nice family renting me out a room in their airBnB. Beside that i met again a travel mate from an earlier trip in Africa and made more friends.

Winter In Turkey: Heliopolis

Winter in Turkey Impressions #3: Heliopolis, an ancient roman town, lies just in the mountains above Pamukkale. Get your impressions here:

Winter In Turkey: Pamukkale

Winter in Turkey Impressions #2: Pamukkale is famous for its sinter terraces

Winter-Trip Turkey: Long Way To Istanbul

This trip was actually taken in winter 2022/23, but wasn’t able to post earlier. However, i decided to post some impressions in the next days from my journey trough winterly Turkey. Don’t expect much text or explanations. I just post mainly pictures. So, get ready for many of them 😉

On my way to Turkey i crossed Greece. Many kilometers and coffees on the road, but also some nice places to stop by, as the hot springs i found somewhere next to the highway.

ISTANBUL was the first goal. Not to see all the sightseeing, but as a start in Turkey and meet some old friends there. It’s happened to be Christmas 2022. Another reason not to hunt down all touristic spots, rather roaming around and enjoying myself too.

Istanbul

Einige Bilder. Aufgeschnappt auf dem Weg durch Strassen und Gassen.

Random pictures taken on the streets of Istanbul.

 

Istanbul: face to face with a revolution?!

Tränengas lag in der Luft und schockiert blickende Passanten flüchten in die nächste U-Bahn. Von der Heftigkeit der Auseinandersetzung zwischen Demonstranten und Polizei erfuhr ich erst später im Hotel, doch dieser Vorgeschmack liess schon einiges erahnen. Am nächsten Tag gingen nochmals Tausende auf die Strassen, demonstrierten gegen die Polizeigewalt, gegen die Regierung und ihre Pläne die Gesellschaft weiter zu Islamisieren und zu bevormunden. Die Polizei zog sich dieses Mal zurück und es entstand eine friedliche Kundgebung mit dem Charakter eines Volksfestes.

After a brutal night when police fought violently a peacefully started demonstration, the Saturday evening was more a street party than a riot. Thousands of people gathered in the streets to protest peacefully against the government.

Exploring Istanbul / Istanbul entdecken!

Die Hagia Sophia, der Topkapi Palast, die Brücke übern Bosporus  …aber Istanbul ist weit mehr als die bekannten Touristenziele der Metropole. Kreuz und quer durch die Stadt gehend lässt sich mit offenen Augen und der Kamera in der Hand so einige überraschende Momente einfangen!

The Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace or bridge over Bosporus are nice …but there is much more what Istanbul has to offer. The soul lies deep in the alleys and hidden in the nightlife of that amazing city. With open eyes and heart and the Nikon in the hand there are maybe some moments of the city to capture.