Tasmania Trip 2009 - Hobart

Hobart

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and half of the Tasmania's population (250,000) live in this city. Hobart began as a convict settlement in 1803 and it is one of the oldest cities of Australia. It is situated o the banks of the mouth of Derwent River, beneath the slopes of majestic Mount Wellington.

The following photos are taken from the Wellington Mountain Peak which is situated on the North West of the City. It is 1270 mt high and the temperature at the peak is usually quite cold at any time of the year.

Wellington Mountain from the Battery Point

The famous Hobart Casino at Battery Point

Yes he was born in Hobart at Battery Point -nice suburb. This area dates back alsmost 150 years and started off as a mariner's village.

Some old houses in Battery Point.

The Harbour

Harbour Restaurants

Drunken Admiral -Seafood was superb.

Other restaurants and galleries along the way.

Salamanca - the city square and a popular eating spot. A row of beautiful old sandstone warehouses that have been converted to cafes, shops and galleries.

Salamanca on a Market day ( Saturday)

Some Historic Buildings

Government House

City Town Hall

Woodstock

Old Engineers Building

Maritime Museum

The Art Museum

Looking at an old Dodge Fargo

Leisure Units where we stayed for two nights

Tasmania Trip 2009 - Launcheston

Launceston

Launceston was built at the meeting point of three rivers- The north Esk, the South Esk and the Tamar. First settled by Eurepeans in 1804 and is Tasmania's second large City.

We started our journey from Launceston which is the second biggest city in Tasmania and is situated in the North of the island. Although Launceston is an industrial cityl it has some beautiful historic buildings dating back to early 18th century.

The Post Office - was build in 1880 and the clock tower was added in 1903

The new part of the town - yacht club, restaurants and apartments.

Who said cows were colourless!

The North Launceston – Cataract Gorge

The north part of the town has the famous Cataract Gorge which is a must when you visit Launceston. You can enter the Gorge from south by crossing the Old King Bridge. Local boys diving at the Gorge

View of the Gorge Futher in.

Another attraction at the Gorge

A charming resting spot - note: the toilets are on the ground floor.

The Basin of the Gorge is used as a recreation center by the locals.

The Alexandra Suspension Bridge - crossing here to the south of Gorge Creek.

The view of the King bridge on the way down.

The Old King Bridge.

Penny Royal Gunpowder Mill is a main tourist attraction today.

Penny Gunpowder Mill is used as a luxury tourist accomodation.

Penny Gunpowder Mill Tram Station (See the tram in the shed!)

Turkish Miniature Paintings

I became very interested in the art of Miniature Paintings while I was reading “My Name is Red” from Orhan Pamuk.

My visit to Cyprus

With some of my friends, family in Cyprus

I will always fondly remember my vist to Cyprus September - October 2007. Especially meeting up with my very best friends from high school years. I dedicate this page to my lovely friends Aydin, Meral, Tulin and all the other Kolej members of course, my brother Sermen and his wife Janan as well as our beautiful cousins Derya and Ercan who looked after us while our stay in this breath taking little heaven called Cyprus.

With some of my school mates: Vecihe, Serife, Tulin, Yonca, Aydin, Me, Soguda. Suprise meeting with them after 20 years was really exciting.

With Meral who took the photo above and spend quite a few days entertaining me in Cyprus.

Here with Aydin an her Mum (Aydin arranged the surprise meeting with the group as above and have me over at her place, as well as taking me around )

Dincer, Aydin and mum

At Bella Pais with Meral and Janan

At Bella Pais with Meral (Bella Pais is an old Venitian Monastery)


At the Peanut restaurant see the peanuts on the table? With Aydin and Meral.

At the beach with sexy Meral

My Brother Sermen and his wife Janan

and their holiday house we stayed most of the time.

And the garden with it's lovely pool.

At front of the Great Inn (from Ottomon times)

This was the hub of town in 1700-1900's.

The yard is now used as a Cafee and Saturday entertainment. While the rooms upstairs are used

as art shops and studios

Inside the Great Inn

Inside the Great Inn and my very pretty cousin Derya

More eating with the family


Istanbul






A few pictures from the old part of Istanbul.

I spend 3 days in Istanbul and this area is called Sirkeci and has all the great Roman and Ottoman buildings.



I spend the second day at Taksim, another Roman Greek part of the city now is one of the big shopping centers.

The third day, I meet up with my girlfriend Aydin and her husband Dincer at my hotel, we spend the day shopping, lunching and doing more shopping before our return to Cyprus.