
TURKEY
Location - South east Europe/Middle East; Capital - Ankara; Population - 50 million; Currency - Turkish Lire MORE TURKEY
From Silopi on the Iraqi border it's a three hour bus ride to the hilltop town of Mardin, in the Kurdish region of south east Turkey - November 2013.
After suffering rampant inflation and a couple of recent currency changes, the country has now settled on the Turkish Lire
A first glimpse of Mardin, an attractive town overlooking the plains leading to the Syrian border
Cumhuriyet Caddesi is the main high street, full of souvenir shops, tea houses, restaurants as well as a couple of hotels - Mardin
At the western end of Cumhuriyet Caddesi is Mardin Museum, a restored army barracks detailing the history of Mardin
Nowhere in Turkey is complete without a reference of some sort to the founder of modern day Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - Mardin
The castle above Mardin is occupied by the Turkish army, though rumour is soon it will open to the public. But no such luck for me..
There's several places which provide great views of the plains below the town. This is from Abbarbar, an upmarket bar close to Mardin Museum, with Latifiye Mosque in the foreground - Mardin
Just below the main street is the local market - Mardin
Donkeys are commonplace in the hilly terrain - Mardin
A side street near the market - Mardin
Back on Cumhuriyet Caddesi is Atilla Cay Bahcesi, a tea garden with fantastic views of both the plains below and the illuminated hillside at night - Mardin
The former post office and castle are lit up at night - Mardin
The minaret of the 14th century Sehidiye Mosque - Mardin
Antik Sur restaurant is a converted caravanserai (travellers' inn) - Mardin
The courtyard of the 14th century Sultan Isa madrasa - Mardin
I climbed the steps of Diyarbakir's city walls at Ogrun Kapisi (Sneaking Gate)
I didn't get the chance to see the Tigris and Euphrates rivers a few day earlier in Iraq, so wanted to check them out in Turkey. This is the Tigris at Diyarbakir
Like many buildings in south east Turkey, the Nebi Mosque is built from distinctive black-and-white striped stone - Diyarbakir
.. as is the Hotel Buyuk Kervansaray - Diyarbakir
Guys read the papers and play dominoes in the square outside Ulu Camii - Diyarbakir
The 11th century Ulu Camii (camii means mosque in Turkish) - Diyarbakir
The pedestrian cobbled streets inside the city walls - Diyarbakir
The 19th century home of poet Cahit Sitki Taranci has been converted into a museum - Diyarbakir
Hasan Pasa Hani is a converted 16th century caravanserai - Diyarbakir
Hasan Pasa Hani now houses cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops - Diyarbakir
It's wonderfully atmospheric in the evening, definitely my highlight of south east Turkey - Diyarbakir
Grab a coffee and smoke a nargileh at Hasan Pasa Hani - Diyarbakir
Spices for sale at Sanliurfa
Golbasi is a picturesque garden and park area in Sanliurfa
Overlooking Golbasi on Domlacik hill is the Kale or Citadel - Sanliurfa
Steps leading to the citadel provide an opportunity to admire the views and sip a tea from the teahouses lining the path - Sanliurfa
One of the cafes surrounding water fountains in Golbasi - Sanliurfa
Drinking tea Kurdish/Turkish style: in a small glass with plenty of sugar, no milk - Sanliurfa
Balikli Gol is another pool of water in Golbasi - Sanliurfa
It's crammed full of carp which fight for the bread thrown in by onlookers - Sanliurfa
Golbasi is a relaxing and enjoyable place to visit - Sanliurfa
The area is a recreation of the story where God spared Abraham being burnt alive by King Nimrud - Sanliurfa
To the left of Balikli Gol is Rizvaniye Vakli Mosque while on the right is Haliliur Rahman Mosque - Sanliurfa
Golbasi is very popular with families - Sanliurfa
Women in traditional headscarves - Sanliurfa
Boaters look like they're in for a soaking at Ayn-i-Zeliha, Golbasi - Sanliurfa
A makeshift teagarden in the Golbasi grounds - Sanliurfa
Sunset in Golbasi - Sanliurfa
A water wheel - Sanliurfa
Visit the cave where the prophet Abraham was born(?) then take in Mevlid-i Halil Mosque - Sanliurfa
Keeping an eye on things from the front door - Sanliurfa
A covered market, known as the bedesten, in the bazaar - Sanliurfa
I took lots photos of these hangings but didn't bother finding out what they were. I think they're dried petals, though maybe some are fruit/veg? - Sanliurfa
Bags of spices, herbs, seeds and beans for sale - Sanliurfa
There's several bars side-by-side in an alleyway near the town hall - Sanliurfa
Also close to the town hall is a square lined with restaurants, internet cafes and shops - Sanliurfa
Crossing the Euphrates River on the way to Gaziantep
The plush Sirehan Hotel is another converted ancient caravanserai - Gaziantep
Zincirli Bedesten is a coppersmith and metalworkers' market - Gaziantep
Gaziantep has a sprawling bazaar, mainly in the area south and south east of the citadel
Take a break from the bazaars and have a drink at the pretty Tutun Han - Gaziantep
Scaffolding surrounds Alauddevie Mosque - Gaziantep
Parts of the Kale, or Citadel, date back to the 6th century - Gaziantep
The familiar black-and-white style of Tarihi Yenihan, which contains souvenir shops and restaurants - Gaziantep
A gorgeous looking bedesten, or covered market - Gaziantep
Selling olives beneath the citadel - Gaziantep
Gumruk Hani has just opened following renovation and boasts a spa, shops, a small museum and a cafe - Gaziantep
Fountains in 100 Yil Ataturk Kultur Park - Gaziantep
I think this bronze statue is selling bread - Gaziantep
A memorial to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - Gaziantep
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LINKS
www.goturkey.com - Turkish tourist board
www.evisa.gov.tr - online Turkish eVisa application
www.tcdd.gov.tr - Turkish railways
www.turkeytravelplanner.com - bus travel advice
I am not responsible for the content of external websites.
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