Turkey, the Eclipse & Vienna in 2006
A Photo Journal

Michael and Suzie's
Adventure to see the sun return

Photographer

March 24
Istanbul

March 25
More in Istanbul

March 26
And more of Istanbul
March 27
Istanbul to Antalya
March 28
Antalya to Olympos
March 29
ECLIPSE DAY
March 30
Olympos to Kalkan
March 31
Kalkan to Fethiye

April 1
Fethiye to Pamukkale
April 2
Pamukkale to Kusadasi
April 3
Kusadasi to Istanbul
April 4
Istanbul
April 6
Vienna

Scotts' Web Home Page


On March 22nd Michael and I departed in hopes of viewing our 6th total solar eclipse. Using frequent flyer miles led to some interesting routing that added to our pleasure and to the adventure. From Pittsburgh we flew to La Guardia. We rented a car and drove into New York with our luggage and met up with our dear Dror-John (AFS 1989-90), his partner Barbara and their beautiful and charming 1 year old daughter Hannah. After lunch and some time in Central Park we headed to JFK where we boarded a flight to Vienna and in the morning of the 23rd transferred to a flight to Istanbul.
We arrived at our hotel in the late afternoon. All those geography tests came to mind as we tried to locate ourselves. Istanbul is all of the darker brown parts of the map below so you can see it is located in both Europe and Asia.
We were in the Sultanahmet district near the black dot on the map which is at the center of the "Old City". It was a great place for walking and exploring. When we looked out our window we had wonderful views of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Sea of Marmara and the beginning of the Bospherus Strait. Here are our day and night views.
 

As you will see in the following pages our days were full and the views overwhelming. Why have we never come to this amazing country before? We learned so much that clarified and enhanced those long-ago history lessons. The eclipse viewing was as magical and as emotional as the previous ones have been. Our travelling companions and leader (all interesting and wonderful new friends) were an added plus and Wilderness Travel's excellent planning (thank you Mari!) made the trip a complete success.

Our return included two nights in Vienna (another "why never here before?") where we marvelled over the grandeur and vibrancy of the city. Then it was back to Pittsburgh by way of Warsaw (no time for souvenirs here) and Chicago.

We hope you enjoy our journey, Suzie and Michael

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