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.
We pray for peace to reign in this land.
More stories to come by.
I need to collect scripts, memories and photos.
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