A few pics from my Trip.....
 

....to Turkey last week!

Took a few days off work and spent a week with my mother in Istanbul. Also flew to Izmir and rented a vehicle, driving to Pamukkale (the automotive review will come shortly :cool: ). Pics not as fancy as mD's since they're all taken from my Nokia E6, but perhaps just a few quick snapshots will suffice.

Couple views of the Bosphorous Strait from the opening of the Black Sea at the Anadolu Kavagi.

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The Bosphorus Bridge connecting the European and Asian continents
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The Galata Bridge, busy with people and fishermen at all hours of the day.

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Keeping the historical stuff short, the Hagia Sophia
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and the Sultanahmet at night.
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Finally, a proper breakfast.
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Turkish cuisine is delicious and plentiful. I think döner is probably the best fast food ever invented. But in case one needs American food, there's plenty around.

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Pamukkale, a huge calcium deposit near the city of Denizili. Yes, you are permitted to walk on it as long as your shoes are off.

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The 3h drive back towards Izmir. The main motorways and divided hwys (like this one) are easy to drive. B-roads at night are a different story.....

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Plenty of good music in the region. On a couple occasions, I did venture out to the bars. Got some live music in the suburb of Bakirkoy on my last night.

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Sea of Marmara on the last day.

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Overall, the country was as I expected: friendly atmosphere and terrific people. A mix of European and Asian cultures, with a real history and plenty of sights both old and new. I wish I could have spent a couple more days there. But hey, it's a short hop from Western Europe. Might just have to go there next time I want to buy a suit.

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I guess you take the whole "Turkey Day" thing literally. :rofl:

Nice pix, I've always wanted to visit Turkey. :thumbup:

Cool trip, M...glad you got to hang with your Mom!
Turkey is on the 2nd page of 'my list', too.
Not even a decent pocket cam?! You need to ask Santa for one...
GL, mD

Nice, exotic trip but I prefer to call it Constantinople. :D

You spent Turkey Day in Turkey. Coincidence? I think not!

You're f-ing insane for driving in Turkey.

That is all. :wavey:

Istanbul is cool. I'd like to visit it again. I agree with Meiac. You need a T-shirt that says "I drove in Turkey and survived".

Bought a couple of rugs there back in 1999. Crazy thing is 15 years later I get a call at my house and it's the guy I bought the rugs from. He's in Calgary with a truck load of rugs from Turkey and wants to know if I want to buy some.