Istambul - Bursa

To Bursa

After a pampered evening at Pullman, we rushed out to the coach for a morning's journey to Bursa via a ferry across the Marmara Sea.

Sea gulls swarmed the skies and the ferry ride was pleasant as I watched people of different nationalities congregate at the coffee lounge for hot drinks. The temperature was between 0 - 5 C but it was still tolerable. The chilly breeze was the culprit for the pangs of discomfort. It was actually cold and gloomy but our spirits were not.

Esther sure knew how to handle the cold with her apparel. She loaded well and went tsk tsk tsking me; if you know what I mean. I am not used to carting so much in a trip and I acknowledge some regret.

En route to Bursa , Nur informed us that oil and gas is not found much here and green house agriculture is popular. Olives and tulips are main agricultural exports and the local in the region depend a lot on the revenue from the export of these produce.

Bursa is 4th largest city and is on the European portion of Turkey on the North West. Turkey is truly torn between both the European and Asian sections and cultures differ slightly.

Bursa used to be the capital of the Ottoman Empire and strategically positioned for the silk trade. Today, the construction and manufacturing sectors are blooming but the production of olives is no less significant as we know that the olive is so versatile in food products. There is no oil and gas resource here so to maintain a car can be expensive. A new graduate earns about US400.00.

 Oh lunch is of course the kebab again. Turkish meals are never short of salads, soup ( tomato or lentils) and a meat dish ( fish, beef, lamb) and of course a local sweet which I am never able to handle. But when you are touring, do what the Romans do in Rome.

 Outside the restaurant , we saw a silk market tailored to the needs of tourists. Name the goods... colourful stone-stuffed lamp shades, hand made shoes, tapestry, table runners , clothes but no photography. So no sample to show.

We kept our pockets in tact waiting for better chances later.

Our first stop was the Ulucami mosque, the biggest oldest mosque of Ottoman times built in 1388. Today it caters to worshipers of the Muslim faith and also to tourists.

It was noon and there were throngs of worshipers as Nur said they pray 5 times a day. All of us took off our shoes and covered our heads before we were permitted to enter. It was a good experience as we examine the architecture of Ottoman times and see how history is continued.

 Outside the mosque, I stood and waited for the rest and I observed trading of all sorts happen. The Turkish must be so used to tourists as some of them tried speaking to me in Mandarin while others cheered "Malaysia Boleh". I wondered at their eloquence. The rain did not leave us and we trudged around with umbrellas in the cold.

When in Bursa, the tourists are bound to see another land mark; Koza Han. Apparently, Nur said that the building has been restored several times due to earth quakes and wars but nevertheless still stand tall today.

Koza Han had been the center of barter trade in the past where nationalities all over the world congregate and trade.

 Silk was the coveted product and it must have been along the silk road for it to

flourish so gloriously. We could see the the shop keepers were used to tourists and relentlessly persuading us to enter their stores. Silk products were abundant and the choice limitless.

Yes, there was a countless number of goods but we still kept our pockets in tact for better bargains as we journey through the land. But of course I could not resist a couple of scarves for friends. When you tour, you think of gifts for everyone except yourself. Sounds familiar?

That was the morning visit in Bursa.

In the afternoon we were invited at our own expenses to visit a World Heritage Village ; Cumalikizik where filming still takes place and the old Ottoman village oozed a feeling quite impossible to describe.

To Cumalikizik.

The Turkey Experience

Yes, I am back from the Anatolian land.

It was a difficult decision; to go ahead with the travel or to cancel it what with news of attacks of all sorts on the land. The moment was crucial as three weeks before the travel an attack was made near the Blue Mosque. Reliance did not allow any cancellation plans unless there was a formal notification by the Turkish authorities.

Sara said she needs to get married and personally wrote in to the embassy from which she was given the assurance that the situation was under control. With that assurance and prayers we went ahead with the plans and made our way to Turkey.

As it was the Lunar New Year season, the family made a weekend trip to Muar the week before to pay a visit to my dear parents who could not dissuade us from going. It was also a first time to be away from home ever since ever during the Lunar New Year period. Dad the final decision maker, was adamant that we went ahead.

It is not simple to gather the girls for their work schedule make it almost impossible for the family to travel together unless it is a common break like the Lunar New Year break. Sara will be wedded soon and it is a family decision to travel together again before she becomes a Mrs Ng.

Dad loves geography and history but we do not know why he ended up in Science. Oh he must be both a left and right brainer. So, he was as excited as a little boy when he saw the majestic Himalayas when we flew over them. Esther the camera enthusiast with her arty skills is deft with her shots and would not allow anything lesser than the best. Most of the scenes I am about to show are compliments from her camera. The icy condition is real. Beautiful and surreal.

Dad dutifully followed the path of the flight while I entertained him by nodding here and there. At a point both he and Esther were puzzled why the plane was off its flight path and frightened each other. I was silent and did not want to add fear. What could go wrong with their experience? Reliance had made a pact with the Air Astana to land in Almaty of Kazakhstan before entering Turkey. Later we were informed that the Kazakhstan government was promoting tourism and indeed it was an eye opener to meet people of different looks and culture. On the hind side albeit much complaint about the long flight hours , it was an added experience indeed especially when we spent the last day in Almaty at the courtesy of the Kazakhstan government.
It was a long haul; 8 hours to Almaty to transit for an hour before the flight to Istanbul for another 6 hours. Sara showed her displeasure openly.

 Meet Zaiton, our Reliance tour guide who is a quiet and unassuming lady. She is not very chatty and speaks when necessary. She is always available to help and extends her assistance well. So, we were well taken care of under her wings.

 This beauty is Nur; the counterpart from Turkey. Well versed in the history of her country, she took us around the Anatolian land with skill and knowledge. She was superb in her job and delivered the product first class. Not only was she able to accomplish her mission efficiently, she was a natural with friendship. My girls love her and established a strong rapport with her. She has made the experience memorable. Thank you Nur.

She took us through the Anatolian journey with this map in the coach. She diligently ushered us comfortably along the borders marked by the dark ink. It was a journey covering thousands of km; an inevitable plough that had to be made for us to see the land. Though the coach drove us far and wide, I enjoyed every moment even with the long hours of travelling. We were able to witness varied landscapes which widened our horizon.

On landing at Istanbul the first evening, we were greeted by cold winds and rain; and we wondered at the weather for the next few days. It was cold so unlike home but we had to battle through it to have our first dinner in Turkey.

The food restaurateurs were ready for their guests but the rain kept them away. 

 We were served the Turkish menu; salads, aromatic rice and the local baked fish. We were famished and ate despite the foreign diet. We had better learn to savour them in for we later learn it was either that or nothing...

The best consolation for the cold was the week old Pullman hotel.

It lived up to its reputation and provided us warmth and comfort for the coveted rest and to prepare us for the journey the next day.

The 12 day experience was excellent. We were glad we made the trip as the days are getting harder to visit this land with so many fears. Just past mid night last evening, Sara burst into our room informing us of the latest attack on the Turkish military in Ankara, a spot where we passed by during out trip.

We pray for peace to reign in this land.

More stories to come by.

I need to collect scripts, memories and photos.

The Novice

 Calligraphy

We try anything to rise up to the occasion.

So, it's the Lunar New Year mood and enthusiastic teacher Lily insists that the students too must have a try at the brush. I must confess that I have never held that brush before in my full age. 

So, I was wondering how the children were going to do it.

To my pleasant surprise, they did it anyhow. 

Obedient and cooperative, Sharyn, Chantel and Elise joined in the activity and we were caught in surprise when one of them was in the top three. 

The boys accommodated with our request and stroked the brush with whatever existing skill they had to the delight of teacher Lily. She had put in much effort to make the occasion a memorable one and though the students did not take her too seriously, the outcome was nevertheless commendable. 

It was a gesture of respect and collaborative attitude.

These are the darlings of the centre; small in size but big in ambition as they took the plunge to compete. They are adorable and sometimes naughty and cheeky but within limits.

 The word is still adorable.

That's Khai Theng trying his hand with his special brush. Esther, the neat one stroking with Ashton looking in doubt. Can she really do it?

What can we say about this little hero? Not a Chinese, but he could write without a hitch. Vinesh completed the task with his  " yik phent wan lik" which connotes prosperity in abundance. The Chinese never runs away from anything connected to wealth.

Many in this group are versatile in this exercise. Most of the winners came from them. Year 7 is boisterous and do expect anything from them. Some are good in numbers, some in language but they still get into one another's ways all the time. The clumsy ones always ask for trouble while the dainty ones suffer in silence and weep. Yes, they still do that.

A parent dropped in and offered his expertise as a judge for the competition. He was informative and lent teacher Lily a real hand in making the final decision for the winners. So we say thank you to him for his help. We will need him more in the future.

The great works of the students. They are hung in the office awaiting the final results to be announced soon. They can then bring home and hang on their doors to usher in all things good and beautiful. Yes, may the best with them.

The prayer is still that all will journey through with us in God's mercy and grace as they learn and grow together here. May all learning be what it should be and the values acquired guide  them through life.

Amen.

Life Goes On

That's the way.

Amidst so many fears of all kinds; a bleak economy, the shrinking of the ringgit, security threats and general lethargy, it was comforting to see shoppers shelving the gloom and come out in throngs to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the monkey.

I had to catch that cheer and find defend the meaning of joy. 

 The Monkey Year

The malls are covered with images of the mascot of the year.

Every business man is asking for the year to be a year of bounty and the ill fortune of the previous year to wane away. How long more?

Despite the need to consolidate and salvage, the Chinese businessman will never compromise on the call of the drum and the auspicious creature.

Here, much effort is involved to  install the stilts for the creature to perform on.

 The lion dance and the roar of the drums must be here to usher in a good year.

It was a majestic performance as the lion deftly hopped from stilt to stilt without  fumbling and each time a feat is accomplished, the enthusiastic crowd from the young to old of all racial compositions put their hands together.

It is true.

Being happy is universal. 

People want to be happy for as long as they can but many times they suffer when others make mistakes.

So we can only pray for peace.

The display of colourful hues and decor surely heighten one's mood and reason to celebrate. Blatantly I mingled among them and stole every opportunity to inch my way to the front to watch the lion dancers perform and clapped too every time there was reason to do so. It was good to let go; unabashed. 

 A cultural street was created where everything Chinese was seen. The bamboo stalks are here to energize the home with strength and steadiness. So the more bamboo stalks the better.

Raise the red lanterns.

Evil is driven away and prosperity affirmed.

When I suggested to dad to hang some at home, he looked at me hard and long.

So I gave up.

He says God is in control.

The calligraphic writing I believe says to usher in the new Spring as the 6th generation of the mascot brings in peace. Oh I think that is what it means.

The undergarment advertisement reminded me again about the auspicious color.

Some old pals gathered over lunch for this very local cuisine; the yee sang.

It's as if a Chinese cannot start  the new year without the call of blessing over it.

Some practices are done for fun; this is one.

What connotation can it hold?

The New Spring.