The hazy sunrise slowly transformed the landscape down below me. Caverns and canyons in the shadows became brighter, while the long shadows over farmsteads and tractors became shorter. We floated above this dreamy landscape, blissfully unaware of the civilization down below waking up and doing their morning chores. Instead, we focused on the beautiful patterns etched by the landscape becoming more sharp with the rising sun.
Such was the magic of floating into the sunrise in Cappadocia, where the dreams down below and reality up above merge at the hazy horizon.
Cappadocia
Turkey
Turkish Delights
The cavernous ceilings of Istanbul's mosques covered spartan interiors, the only embellishments being Arabic script with beautiful gold embellishments and floral patterns that stretched from floor to ceiling. The naturally ventilated mosques provided a welcome respite from the hot sun of mid-summer outside. In contrast, the Royal Palace was an exercise in lack of self-restraint, showcasing an over-indulgence of embellishments and decorations that yet were tastefully done.
It was a reminder that opulence of the gilded age in European castles continued to be a major influence in the styling of the Royal Palace. And of the strong contrast from the confluence of western designs and eastern culture. Istanbul is one of the few places that one can experience this amalgam in a single day.
Istanbul
Turkey
Caves of Cappadocia
Cappadocia is famous for sandstone formations that pop above the landscape all over. And caves within these formations were inhabited since the early beginnings of Christianity. Walking around the region was an immersion into history and nature like no other
Cappadocia
Turkey
Wedding at the Theater
TurkeyThe last thing I had expected to see in the ruins of an ancient Greek theater in the heart of the Ephesus, was a wedding couple getting a photoshoot done. I tried to envision what the life of the largest theater of the ancient world would have been like during its heydey in 200BC: 25,000 spectators watching riveting Greek dramas and later, when the city came under the control of the Roman Republic, gladiatorial combat, with the sounds of throngs of spectators going around this massive openair arena egging the gladiators.
Times certainly have changed, and it was somber to witness this lovely couple spending a moment, being the center of attraction of an empty arena. Nevertheless, this scene was a delight to shoot as the couple tried various poses, and it added a sense of perspective to the scale of the theater.
Ephesus
Izmir Turkey
A Village in Sandstone
This entire week is going to be a series of photos from Turkey. One of my dreams had been to explore the unique geological formations that dominate the Cappadocia region of Turkey, both from the ground and from the air. And as I explored this region, I was fascinated not just by the colorful rock formations of various shapes and sizes, but the fact that this is a living museum which has been inhabited since 6th century BC.
Amidst the sandstone formations lay hidden multiple churches carved into the fairy chimneys ubiquitous in the region, as well as tiny towns that blend both in color and shape with these sandstone formations. Walking through narrow trails that wind through the area provided a unique perspective into this amalgam of earth and life.
Cappadocia
Nevsehir Turkey
New Begininings
In just a few more hours, we are going to seen the finish line to a clusterf**k of an year. Physically, nothing changes. One day ends and another begins, just as it has been doing since time immemorial, but the end of 2020 will represent to many an end to a rollercoaster of an year marred by multiple globe-spanning events, including the innumerable trade wars, Brexit, the impeachment of the US president, and US elections and its chaotic aftermath, the oil price fluctuations, tensions in the Middle east, Climactic disruptions, the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests, the murder of Samuel Paty, the projection of Chinese superpower, and last but not the least, the economy disrupting Covid pandemic.
I for one, can't wait to ring in the new year, and hope that the silver linings for the dark clouds that was 2020 do come to fruition.
Here is to new beginnings and new adventures.
Happy New Year
Feliz año nuevo
Bonne année
Felice anno nuovo
Frohes neues Jahr
புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்
Cappadocia
Turkey
Junebug
Eons ago, when I first stepped foot in the US after having lived in a tropical country close to the equator, I was astonished to find the sun shining brightly at 8pm. While many take the long halcyon summer days for granted in the Northern hemisphere, it was a bewildering surprise for me when 6am and 6pm used to mark the boundaries of day and night through the year.
Now, even after almost spending 4 summers in the Pacific Northwest, the 15 hour days still seem a shocker every time summer rolls around. However, for the most part, they make up for the short dreary days of winter. Furthermore, these long days are perfect for traveling, as you seemingly get more time to explore.
As I sit home-bound this June, here are a few memories from the past taken in the long halcyon summer days from around the world.
Bustling Istanbul
It took a while to soak it all in.
A brightly lit restaurant thoroughfare below an arterial bridge was bustling with a dinner crowd savoring on freshly-caught seafood. Restauranteurs and shop owners shouted their wares loudly, hoping to make a few last minute sales on that thoroughfare, while hundreds of fishing lines dangled from above, hoping to strike luck in the crowded waters of the Golden Horn in the heart of Istanbul.
It was the eve of Eid, the last day of fasting of the Holy month of Ramadan observed in the Islamic world. As is tradition during this month, the locals are out everywhere at sundown, feasting on local specialities to break the fast. The mosques all around had a festive atmosphere celebrating the Holy month. The promenade facing the waterfront was buzzing like a beehive, a veritable smorgasbord of restaurants, sweet shops, shopping malls, boat docks and travel agencies catering to locals and tourists alike. It took a while to absorb it all in, but I knew I had to hurry to capture the blue hour on the eve of Eid.
Istanbul
Turkey
The Longest Day
I chose to spend the longest day of 2017 exploring the multitude of canyons that dissect the pockmarked terrain of Cappadocia. It was an ambitious though, but reality proved to be a tougher opponent, as navigation here was an exercise in frustration. Having been used to well-marked trails with plenty of maps typically, I was forced to rely on faded trail signs, blurry satellite view images and pure gut instinct to navigate multiple unnamed forks and deep slot canyons. The amount of backtracking easily added an hour to my meanderings in that area.
But there was nothing to complain about - I had an amazingly long day hiking through breath-taking scenery, visiting dozens of centuries-old historical ruins, and consuming plenty of delicious local treats.
After all, exploration is the essence of human spirit.
Happy Solstice Day
Goreme
Turkey
2017 in Review
2018 was an amazing year. Between traveling to seven amazing destinations around the world, completing my second graduate degree and settling down in the Pacific Northwest, this year has been a whirlwind of changes. Here is to hoping that 2018 will be as adventurous as the last for all of you.
From upper left, the locations are
1. Holiday lights in Cartagena, Colombia
2. The blue alleys of Chefchaouen, Morocco
3. The Torii way at Fushimi Inari temple in Kyoto, Japan
4. The Shah-i-Zinda mausoleum ensemble in Samarkhand, Uzbekistan
5. Summer Jailoos in Songkol, Kyrgyzstan
6. The unique rock formation sof Cappadocia, Turkey
7. The misty forests of British Colombia
8. Solar eclipse in Madras, OR
9. El Capitan at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX
Its never too late to get my 2018 Calendar. All proceeds go to NRDC and WildAid, two non-profits whose missions I wholly support.