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.