UnforgettableTurkey - Day 3:- Bursa- Pamukkale

Day 3: Tour of Bursa

Truly, I find Turkey a place where you can get your money's worth on history, romance, adventure, mystery all rolled in one beautiful package!

the Silk Bazaar - ideal for a romantic rendezvous...breathtaking!

As the previous day, from as early as 6.30, right after breakfast, all members were busy and rigourously snapping photos outside the hotel. All bags were packed and we were ready for our tour of Bursa city, the main attraction being the Grand Mosque of Bursa and the Green Mosque. A little bit of history of Bursa. The city was apparently the last destination of the Silk Route.

Roadsigns in busy Bursa City

Friendly, pretty receptionist at the Carvanserai Hotel

early morning photo snapping session before leaving for tour of Bursa

Thus already a thriving city from that time, Bursa was the first capital of the Turks. The influence of Islam came as early as the 15th century, with the coming of the many strong forces then, like the Seljuks, and later on the Ottoman influence. Alas, being too mersmerized by the fascinating architecture of the ancient mosques, I lost quite a bit of Enis's explanations in those mosques. But the one thing that stood distinctly in my mind was that one of the mosque had many small domes on it. History has it that when one of the conquerors captured Turkey then, he vowed to build twenty domes in Bursa. What he really meant by that was that he wanted to build 20 mosques in and around Bursa. However, later on he discovered that the government had not enough means to build 20 grand mosques. Recalling carefully what he had actually said to his people, he improvised his promise of 20 domes to building mosques with many small domes instead. On later travels, I discovered that many other mosques elsewhere in Turkey had adopted this structural design with many small domes covering the roofs. One more thing that I found interesting was that, although Turkey is strictly secular, one can find mosques almost every 1 km or so along the way. Interesting...

statue of Ibn Sina in middle of the City

The two mosques we visited were both richly historical in their own rights. In the Grand Mosque, we can see a water fountain (not switched on at that time due to the cold season) with a clear open roof right at the top. The significance of that open roof as I understood from Enis's explanation was that if it rains, the rainfall would fall onto the water fountain, and would give a certain therapeutic sound. Also, we were told that the main design for the Grand Mosque had the strong floral influence of the Ottomans. We spent about 20 mins in the mosque, snapping photos as well as performing the solat tahiyat masjid. I was humbled praying at that ancient mosque, and later at the Green Mosque . To think of standing and prostrating in prayer in mosques more than 500 years old, where great muslim scholars and warriors may have once stood where I was praying, was indeed a humbling experience. That awesome feeling stayed with me everytime I prayed at the other mosques as well.

The Grand Mosque Bursa, setting a scenic background

Entrance to the Grand Mosque - winter, time for renovation

Interior of the Mosque - where the therapeutic fountain stands, under renovation

Interior of Grand Mosque, Bursa

Enis giving an insight to the history of Grand Mosque Bursa

Solat Tahiyat Masjid in the Mosque - a humbling experience, by Allah's Grace alone...

The Green Mosque of Bursa on the other hand, was more austere, and older. Austere here I mean it looked more sombre, with not as many of the Ottoman touches. What I understood it had the more military cut of the powerful Seljuks. One interesting point was the ingeniously designed reverse triangle designs which decrate the mosque. Not only were the designs unique, but it was the fascinatingly clever effect of amplifying the sound within the mosque to such an extent that the voice of the imam reciting the suras during the jamaah prayer is bounced back by these reverse triangles and so can clearly be heard by the maamum right at the back row (saf). Advanced technology...and no need for microphone. Fascinating....

The Green Mosque in Bursa

The Ingenious Reverse Triangle design outside and within the mosque

The Green Mosque, Bursa - now you know why it is called the Green Mosque!

Homes in Bursa, viewed from the Green Mosque

Apart from the tour of historical mosques, we also stopped momentarily at the Ancient Silk Bazaaar, once alive with traders frequenting the Silk Route. The existing silk stores were just about opening when we made our way there. Still in awe of the majestic view of the mosque, I wasn't much yet into my shopping mood, just simply walked around admiring the location, which I found had a romantic feel to it, even though the skies were cloudy and the surrounding grey...romantic in a melancholic kind of way I suppose. As usual, Datin and Zura, wasted no time in bargaining for silk scarfs.

Silk Bazaar in Bursa

Inside the Silk Bazaar building

Shopping scarves at the Silk Bazaar

From here we were about to embark on a 6 hour bus trip to Pamukkale. A long drive with 2 stops for lunch and prayer. Most of the time it was between looking at the scenery or sleep for all of us. However towards the evening, Dr. Zainundin decided to make the trip more lively by making each and every expedition member introduce themselves. Dato made good of his introduction immediately gaining the respect from the rest of us for his very friendly style and choice of words...really good sense of humour, but we in the family have always known that. On the whole, it was a good way of breaking the ice amongst us. A good effort POTO, well done indeed!

Stopping for lunch en route to Pamukkalle

Appetisers - a cocktail of salads

Main course - the best kebab ever tasted!

A cheerful group after a hearty lunch

The Ice breaking session after lunch

Next stop - Pamukkalle...

My Poor Baby!

Salaam. I have committed myself to writing a journal of my expedition to Turkey. But when school starts, I am so swamped by the different school chores, that at times, I just feel like getting out of the profession, despite my great love for teaching. The teaching part, and interacting with the different kinds of students were never the problem. It is always the paper work...and more paper work. I am sometimes made to feel like a clerk, or an office staff, and I wonder if all those paper work are really necessary...or merely to help some big shot way up there look good. Hmm...

Anyway, determined though as I am to proceed with my Turkey journal, which, by the way can only be written during the weekends now, something happened yesterday which compelled me to jot about it first, yet again putting my Turkey post on hold.

You know what, yesterday was really a day of playing "supir", driver for me...constantly on the move hoarding one of the two boys for their different activities. At 12, after sending big brother for his Form 4 tuition, i headed straight to my little boy's school to fetch him from his co-curricular activities, before he rushes off for his tuition class. As I reached his school, a despondent, upset looking Zakiy awaited me. To tell truthfully, he was in fact looking ready to burst into tears. "What now?"

It turned out that he was not pleased with the running of presidential and committee elections for the club he had joined - The Bahasa Arab Club. Last year, he was the Treasurer. Surprisingly, this year he discovered that there were simply too many girls registering into the Club, totally overshadowing the number of male members. My Zakiy was nominated for President, but due to the sheer number of girls, needless to say, he lost the seat to a girl! It turned out, all, except for 2 seats in the committee, were won by girls.

Really, to me it is no big deal - such is the reality of life. But what made my heart go out for my poor baby, is that, unlike big brother, where every post, every rank, every form of acknowledgment is handed to him, almost on a silver platter (I sometimes think he really is living up to his name!), my baby Zakiy, like any other boys, has to work hard, struggle, to make his mark in school. It is understandable that he wants to excel like his big brother, but where everything is a "breeze" to Abang, Adik has to prove his worth all the time...my poor poor baby. He really was aiming for the presidential post since last year, as there were not many members at that time, and he was actively participating and putting his worth for the society. I know he was bitterly disappointed not to even hold a single post this year in the club. My poor baby. To comfort him, I told him he is better off just being an ordinary member, because it can be quite testing to work under a female boss (don't we all experience it at one time or another..)

As a prefect, he is not legible to hold any main post in the classroom committee. He is not outstanding in sports, so really there is only one option open for him right now - to be the Head Prefect. There is no hiding how much he covets that post, following in Abang's footsteps. Professionally, as an educator, taking into account his abilities and experiences compared to his classmates, I think Ahmad Zakiy Mohsin has a chance, he is by far more matured than his peers. He has good communication skills, he has always been in the top 3 students list in class as far as school performance is concerned, he has been an active prefect since Primary 4. The only thing which might be a problem is that, where Abang had the face and the built as a Head Prefect, my baby has a pampered appearance, and the way he talks actually shows he is how shall I put it..."my baby". But I think, the Prefectorial Board should not see that as a setback to him being elected Head Prefect God Willing. Children are fast learners.

It doesn't matter to me in the least to me if he is a head prefect or not, or even if he is a prefect at all. But if that is what he wants, then I will surely support him and his ambition. After all, being a Head Prefect will go far in training him to be a more responsible, understanding Muslim young man one day Inshaallah. I know, Zakiy only wishes to be the best that he can.

And so, my baby, Ummi will pray very hard that your disappointment at not being elected President of Bah. Arab club, will be more than compensated when you get elected as Head Prefect of your school. I will surely pray for you, and should you succeed in getting what you want, inshaallah your big brother and I will always support you and guide you to be the best Head Prefect that you can be. But whatever the outcome, remember, Ummi loves you very much, and I know you are already a leader in your own right, okay, because you are a good Muslim, and a very good, obedient son. So smile now...

Hotel in BURSA - some pictures

The KERVANSARAY HOTEL BURSA

Just thought it a good idea to lay out some pictures of the hotel in Bursa, before proceeding to relate the events in Bursa. Till now I am not sure of the spelling of the hotel we stayed in. The food from now on were to remain similar - a variety of veggies, soup, and more soup, then bread, to no end of it! Many of the members in the tour group eventually had about enough of it, unable to withstand the monotony of vegetable and blend taste, meaning "tak podeh"!.,and their yearning for rice. I have always liked bread, and I cant quite stand hot, spicy foods, so I wasn't missing out much. Anyway, here are some picturess in and around the hotel...may these pictures refresh my memory of Bursa every time I visit this post in future...

P/s: hey Jua, so far so ok???heeheehee...trying my best mek....

the key chain to room 206 - what a hunk of a key chain; a real whopper...hahahaha

the room - double bedded with sunken mattress

a huge pillar stands as a stigma in the tiny room

with huge pelican ornament as decor....hmmm

the highly appreciated dinner - after the journey from Bahrain

breakfast the next day

morning of Day 3- tour of Bursa; then off to Pammukalle

Unforgettable Turkey - Day 2:Bahrain-Istanbul-Bursa

off to istanbul - making new memories!

Day 2:
Early morning, after breakfast and a rigorous bout of photo snapping, we departed to Bahrain airport to fly off to Turkey. I was full of anticipation, excited to say the least. At the departure hall, we 'surveyed' the different duty free items on sale (to be realised on our flight back). So anxious was I that at the point of boarding, I misplaced my passport together with my boarding pass. Phew...that was a moment of panic, momentarily putting my excitement on halt.

Datin surveying gifts for her beloved grandchildren

Anyway, flight was as scheduled, around 10 am local time aboard the Gulf Air Flight GF43. Which took us about 3 hours. Alhamdulillah, it was an uneventful flight, and we finally landed at Istanbul at 1305 local time. My watch (with Malaysian timing) showed 1905 - meaning a 6 hour difference from Malaysia. I was to discover that a representative from Renk United was waiting for us, who would eventually be our tourist guide here in Turkiy. True enough, as we checked out of the airport, there was already a rep waiting for us, a young brown haired gentleman, holding the POTO sign upside down!. All 39 of us gathered around him, where he introduced himself as Enis. From then, all of us were herded into the coach and we were off! First destination: To Bursa where we would spend the night there.

arrival at istanbul airport

This time we were just passing through Istanbul (more on Istanbul on Day 7). The journey to Bursa involved a 90 min bus ride, followed by a 30 min ferry ride across European Istanbul to Asian Istanbul (later on this), across the Gemilik Bay, bus and all. It was actually not too far from the airport to the ferry port, but there was quite a traffic as we rushed through its fairly new motorways. One unique sight as we rode along the highway was the people selling bottled drinks, fruits and even bread on the middle of the highway itself! It made me realise that as beautiful as Istanbul is, life is difficult for some, anywhere on God's earth. My heart went out to the young men, braving the cold weather, and risking their lives on the busy motorway to earn a living - meagre one it must be.

glimpses of Istanbul, as we pass by the city

busy traffic on sunday afternoon in Istanbul

youngsters selling bread & bottled drinks on busy Istanbul highway

It was getting dark there by 4 pm, and the mild weather I first experienced upon landing at Istanbul airport became bitingly cold as the wind rushed through us on the moving ferry. Seemingly tame seagulls fly by the ferry, so at first many of us braved the wintry winds but finally it just got too strong for all our zeal and excitement. Certainly the trenchcoat I brought with me could not withstand the cold wintry winds. Thank Allah, there was a cafetaria on the first deck, where I could really, at that moment, appreciate a cup of hot turkish tea. It turned out that the Turkish people dont take their tea with milk, which I was not prepared to accustom myself with...the tea was too thick!

aboard ferry crossing over to Bursa

dusk at istanbul - viewed from ferry; with seagulls speckled skies

having tea aboard the ferry

nothing like hot cuppa tea to warm out the chill

Dato' in the ferry cafetaria

Getting off the ferry 30 mins later, we continued our journey for a further 90 mins to reach Bursa. Bursa is a an old city, known to be the last stop for the Silk Road traders. Henceforth it became the first capital of Turkiy, renowned till today as the major city for the fabric industry in Turkiy. Our journey for today ended at the Caravansaray Hotel, right in the heart of Bursa city. Tomorrow we shall visit places of interest, my personal interest, the mosques of Bursa, before we head off to our next destination. But before that, more pics at and around the hotel ...next post ok!

arrival at Bursa Hotel - the Caravansarai