taste of life

CHORA CHURCH, ISTANBUL

2011-12-18T05:40:00.000-08:00

TRADITIONAL ROMANIAN VILLAGE HOUSES

2011-11-22T03:22:00.001-08:00

SAFRANBOLU

2011-11-20T02:49:00.001-08:00

A Unesco Heritage

Bozcaada a Corner of paradise

2010-10-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

Tenedos is roughly triangular shaped . It is situated close to the entrance of Dardanelle. Main industry is fishing and turism.
You reach the island after a short ferry trip, and amazing atmosphere starts right from the pier.
It is a very nice remote area, full of amazing historical houses and narrow streets. Acommodation is quite reasonable and food is delicious is every corner. You may stay in center or choose a farm house and have opportunity to wake up in a wine yard.....

Sea is so clear and clean, and amazingly cold, just perfect to swim any time of the day.

Tenedos is also fameous for the wines produced on the island, special grape types only grow on this island Karalahna, Cardinal, Karasakız, Vasilaki are few of them and worthed to try.

Ellora and Ajanta caves

2010-03-02T00:39:00.000-08:00

The Ellora caves, locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ is located on the Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north-northwest of Aurangabad. Caves carved in Volcanic lava, possible to see the reflections of 3 religions; Buddhism, Brahmanism and Jainism.

There are nearly 100 caves in the hill range out of which 34 caves are famous, it takes couple of hours to finish all of them, but sure it is worthed.

There is no firm information how many years it took to build these marvels, but definitely it is a breath taking beauty.

It takes around 2 hours from Aurangabad to reach Ellora caves

The famous Ajanta caves are situated about 99-kms away from Aurangabad district in the state of Maharashtra. These caves are regarded as a world heritage site and were carved out from the 2nd century BC to 6th century AD.

It takes around 2 hours to reach the entrance, and from there you need to take the tour buses for a very reasonable prices. It is very important that you need to get ticket for AC buses, other wise in hot Summer, it is like a 20 min sauna on the way to the caves. There are many shops selling souvenirs before you take the buss.

Each of the caves are just amazing, all these volcanic rock formations carved to create giant galleries, full of sculptures.

It has the unique sleeping Budha sculpture, that you may not find anywhere in the world.

It is just amazing, and very difficult to describe, instead some more photos.....

In Aurangabad, accommodation is very reasonable, Lemon Tree is a good option with a swimming pool and they will arrange a car for travelling to caves.

Dhobi Ghat

2010-03-02T00:21:00.000-08:00

It is for sure that world biggest washing complex, located in the heart of Mumbai. It is not possible to count how many pools or how many people are washing and cleaning at the same time.

Motels, guest houses, individuals, every body sends their clothes here to be washed and dried.

If you are shy about your clothes or if you don't want your underwear to be seen by public, do not think twice :)

I am not sure for the detergent type that is used, but seams they have allot of customers, and tons of clothes to be washed every day, customers must be happy with results.

This is a huge industry, and generating income for many people. There are small houses around, they do ironing as well with the charcoal heated irons.

SHIMLA

2010-03-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

I was not very sure to go there, since it is a long journey but after seeing the nature and view, it is worth for any single moment you spend in airports.

It is a short flight from Delhi airport, every day King fisher has service with small planes. Shimla airport is on top of the hills, you are at 2000mt and all of a sudden you land on the shortest runway you might ever experience. No need to describe what is after runway :)

It is an amazing view, all town is build by British, and all colonial structure everywhere on top of the hills. In a clear sky you may see the Himalayas.

Very nice town, full of people, very colorfull streets full of people . Food is just great, you may find all tastes available, even Mexican :)

You will find best hotels ever, Oberoi group has two hotels, one in the town Cecil and one on top of the hill Wildflower Hall.

Have been travelling allot and stayed in every hotel chains all around the world, but this was a unique experience for me. No need to mention room views, service was great. Both of the hotels are very well designed and decorated, great hospitality.

They used wood every single corner in the hotels, which gives you a warm feeling, spending your time in side next to fireplace.

It is a very unique experience to enjoy Jacuzzi 2500mt higher than sea level with the view of Himalayas. Any time of the day or night, you may enjoy heated pool and Jacuzzi.

There are so many options to spend your day, any outdoor activity is available, Horse riding, biking.. etc. If you like horse riding, would recommend a different version of it, sure you would enjoy......

Hindistan tezatlar ülkesi

2010-02-14T04:39:00.000-08:00

Hindistan cok renkli kulturu, dinsel cesitliligi ve surekli buyuyen is potansiyeli ile yoğun seyehat edilen bir ülke haline geldi.

Hernekadar anlatilan hikayeler urkutucu gelsede, Hindistan yasamak ve seyehat etmek icin oldukca guvenli bir ulke, ne yediginize ve nerede kaldiginiza dikkat ettiginiz surece hic bir problem yasamayacaginiz asikardir.

İnsanların sokakda doğduğu, yaşadığı, ürediği ve öldüğü bu ülkede herşey garip kaotik bir ahenk içinde sürüp gidiyor. Rengarenk ve mistik bir ülke Hindistan.

Oteller Hindistanda oldukca fahis fiyatlarda, genelde 4 yildiz ve uzerinde kalmak cok daha akillica, biraz paraya kiyiyorsunuz ancak temiz ve nezih bir ortamda kalabiliyorsunuz. Erken rezervasyon ile cok guzel indirimler yakalayabilirsiniz.

Yemekler genelde asiri baharatli, Turk mutfaginin aksine yogun bir sekilde tohum, yaprak ve sos kullaniliyor. Acili yemekleri seviyorsaniz bile dikkat etmekte fayda var, yemek esnasinda bazi temel duyularinizi kaybedebilirsiniz :)))

Transportation options

2010-02-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

Like in any highly populated country, traffic is extreme in India. You may find all types of 2, 3 , 4 wheelers, 4 legs, basically every thing is on the roads. Nobody follows the rules which is the main reason for the traffic chaos.
Since there are no load limits and rules to follow, you can easily witness 4, 5, 6 people on the same bike.

Each transportation method is an amazing experience, especially Rickshaws; if you are suffering from any stone in urinary system or kidneys, here is the solution. After a ride in city, you will never face these problems again.

Rickshaws are the common transportation vehicle in India, which is like a taxi. Cheap, fast, Uncomfortable, and fun to ride. There are meters available both mechanic and digital telling you how much to pay. Make sure they charge as per meter, when you take the ride.

Most of the time, all drivers speaks English, or at least they pretend to. When you tell them your destination they wouldn't say no to you, but in the middle of the journey, you might hear a questions asking WHERE WE GO ? This is a dangerous moment, where you need to control your temper and start advising again all over from the beginning. After 2 or 3 similar attempt, you may reach your destination.

Animal ride is a common touristic activity, which I don't feel comfortable seeing all these animals, some of them in real bad condition, but as I said it is optional.

They are part of the traffic in populated cities for touristic activity, but in rural areas, elephants are used for any heavy lifting, transportation etc; organic tractors.

Above 4 wheels, is an amazing group in India, most of the trucks are sold without cabin, and people get it finished in carpenter. If you see any driver sitting on the chasis with a chair don't be surprised.

Among all these variety of vehicles, no body follows signals, lane discipline , traffic rules which creates an amazing harmony.

Every body goes in every direction at the same time..

What is needed to be Happy

2010-02-13T00:16:00.000-08:00

One thing that still surprises me after 4 years of working in India; people are happy with what they have, and they find happiness in the simple things, cheer themselves up, and celebrate the festivals like crazy.

There are more than 200 million homeless people, literally living on the street, from birth to death. Cooking, sleeping, peeing, coupling, showering, cleaning; every thing is happening live in the corner of your street. They have no desire of changing their way of living.

Maybe they've already found the answers on how to live a happy life under any circumstances, whereas in other parts of the world people are seeking the answers by paying millions to psychiatrists.

When one tries to inquire, there are so many answers you get from them; cast system, religion, believes, and many more. Their father's father was born on the street, and their grandchildren will be born and live the same way. The Government provided houses for these people in the past, either they sold the houses or rented them out and kept living in the street where they are happy and they belong.

You feel bad for the kids though, seeing them barefoot, half-naked, without any hygiene or education prospects. Practically no different future in sight.

But in the end everybody's happy...

what you wish & what you get

2010-02-13T00:03:00.000-08:00

What you wish & what you get is a surprising equation in some parts of the world. In India it is always endless surprise. So becarefull what you wish for :)

When I first moved to India to start a life as freight forwarder, I wasnt aware that my life motto will turn out to be UNLUCKY CAMEL.