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@ Let’s Go Shopping
Azure begins his tour of "Turkey: Marmara 2". Merhaba nasılsınız!
Let’s Go Shopping
Aroma and colour surround the shopper. Neatly displayed wares entice the shopper to stop and take a look. A typical bazaar will offer jewelry, perfumes, metalwork, water pipes, rugs, hammam (Turkish bath) items, spices and so much more.

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@ Ceramic Plates, Bowls, Turkey
“Hey, have you seen what the next stop is, Azure?” said swinger. "It looks fantastic!"
"I'll get my camera ready," said Azure.
Ceramic Plates, Bowls, Turkey
A sea of colours and patterns greet the passerby. This stall in a bazaar offers an array of beautiful ceramic plates and bowls. It is almost a shame to imagine covering up these designs with food. You eat with your eyes first, so the presentation is as important as the taste.

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@ Design Showing Typical Architecture, Bursa, Turkey
"Have you seen this in our travel guide, Mr. Dylan? It says 'Even though many associate tulips with The Netherlands, the flower was in fact brought to Europe from the Ottoman Empire. The flower, native to Turkey and Central Asia, became one of the most precious imports in the 1500s.'"
"That's amazing, Azure! We'll have to sing Tulips from Ankara!"
Design Showing Typical Architecture, Bursa, Turkey
This colourful design graces the wall of a building in Bursa, Turkey. It illustrates the typical architecture of buildings in Turkey. The Ottoman and Seljuk styles of architecture are two of the most respected styles in Turkey. In Seljuk design for family homes all the buildings, built of stone, surround an open courtyard while the Ottoman style of the family home is built of wood, is often two-story, and is a single standing structure.

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@ Turkish Handicrafts, Ceramic
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Azure," said Flitter, "for this experience alone?"
Azure, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!
Turkish Handicrafts, Ceramic
The Turkish word for the potter's wheel is çömlekçi çark, and it came into use and is believed to have been invented in Mesopotamia around the 4th millennium BCE. Turkey is the world leader in ceramics, with a rich history of production and abundant resources it is the “land of ceramics”. Turkey has some of the world’s most sophisticated ceramic technology. Working with artists from around the world, Turkey can offer innovative designs that are beautiful and functional.

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@ Railway Track, Istanbul
"Hey, you should have joined Foxy and me for lunch at that café, Azure!" said Hadee Nidmorth.
"Oh, I couldn't resist that street exhibition. Anyway, what did you eat?"
"I had borek, a flaky pastry parcel filled with spinach, garlic and cheese, and served with yoghurt. It was yummy!"
Railway Track, Istanbul
The Istanbul-Ankara Railway is a 576.6 km (358.3 mi) stretch of track that connects Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city with Ankara the capital and second-largest city. Before the opening of the high-speed railway in 2009, the Istanbul-Ankara Railway was the busiest railway in Turkey.

A very dramatic black and white shot of one part of the track. It would be a lovely way to travel and see all the sites along the way.

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@ Paragliding
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Azure," said Midnight, "for this experience alone?"
Azure, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!
Paragliding
Tekirdag is in the Marmara region of Turkey. Uçmakder, a neighbourhood connected to Sarköy in the district of Tekirdag, hosts a paragliding festival each year. A paraglider is a foot-launched, lightweight, free-flying glider aircraft. With one big sail/wing, to which are attached many suspension lines that control the airflow and shape of the wing. A paraglider flight can last for hours, and the distance can cover hundreds of kilometers.

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@ Ornately Furnished Room
"'Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the Turkish population, as almost half the country consists of agricultural land. Historians believe that many agricultural systems originated in Turkey. Due to its fruitful soil, favourable climate and plentiful rainfall, in terms of food production, Turkey is one of the few self-sufficient countries in the world,'" read Seth from the brochure.
"Sounds great!" enthused Azure.
Ornately Furnished Room
The Turkish people were originally nomadic and lived in Tents/Yurts. Furniture had to be portable and sparse in order to be easily taken up when travelling. With the settling of people to one spot, though still sparse, furniture: shelves, cupboards were affixed to the walls of a house. With the passing of more time, and due to the influence of Europe, furniture became larger and more ornate.

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@ Turkey and Ankara, The Capital, Position On The Globe
Oh look ... you found a picturesque rock!
Turkey and Ankara, The Capital, Position On The Globe
Turkey is a predominantly mountainous country, situated partly in Asia and partly in Europe. The country from north to south is about 300 to 400 miles (480 to 640 km), and it stretches 1,000 miles from west to east. To the north of Turkey is the Black Sea, and on the southwest and west are the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas.

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@ Spice Of LIfe
“Hey, have you seen what the next stop is, Azure?” said Bug Off. "It looks fantastic!"
"I'll get my camera ready," said Azure.
Spice Of LIfe
Turkish cuisine is healthy and nutritious and relies on spices and herbs to bring out the flavours of the main ingredient rather than using sauces to cover up the flavour. Ground nuts such as pistachio are used in sweets such as baklava. Pistachio has a long shelf life and is also used medicinally. Some of the most commonly used spices and herbs are Cumin, Urfa Chilies, Zahter, Sumac, Mint, Parsley, Paprika. Whether used in a curry, a breakfast meal, or mixed with oil and used for dipping bread into, spices and herbs add flavour, colour, aroma, and many vitamins and other nutrients.

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@ Lamps, Bazaar, Istanbul
"'Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the Turkish population, as almost half the country consists of agricultural land. Historians believe that many agricultural systems originated in Turkey. Due to its fruitful soil, favourable climate and plentiful rainfall, in terms of food production, Turkey is one of the few self-sufficient countries in the world,'" read Jan Mayen from the brochure.
"Sounds great!" enthused Azure.
Lamps, Bazaar, Istanbul
Look at these beautiful lamps—they are like something out of a fairy tale. These would make great gifts for everyone back home if we can get them packaged up safely for travel. Maybe we can have them shipped.

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@ Lamps, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
"Hey, you should have joined Foxy and me for lunch at that café, Azure!" said Balthazar.
"Oh, I couldn't resist that street exhibition. Anyway, what did you eat?"
"I had borek, a flaky pastry parcel filled with spinach, garlic and cheese, and served with yoghurt. It was yummy!"
Lamps, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
Turkish lamps are handcrafted using metal, usually, brass or bronze, worked in intricate ways, glass and small hand-cut glass tiles that will make up the design on the lamp. Each lamp is unique and can be considered a work of art. The mosaic lamp was the inspiration for Tiffany lamps.

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@ Cumalikizik, Bursa Province, Turkey
"Would you like a piece of Turkish Delight, Azure?" queried Rianna.
"Teşekkür ederim, Rianna!" responded Azure.
"Önemli değil!"
Cumalikizik, Bursa Province, Turkey
A Unesco World Heritage Site, Cumalikizik is located at the foot of Mount Uludag in the Yildirim district, in the province of Bursa. The village has its roots in the Ottoman Empires' foundation period. The historical texture of the village has been well protected with the architectural structures of the early Ottoman period still intact. The famous Cumalikizik houses are made of wood, adobe, rubblestone (irregular rough stones used as fill, walls, and stepping stones). Most of the houses are triplex, with the windows upstairs generally being latticed bay windows. Cobblestone streets are very narrow with no room for sidewalks, and a typical medieval gutter runs down the center for rain and wastewater.

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@ Cumalikizik, Turkey, Close Up Of A Street
"'Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the Turkish population, as almost half the country consists of agricultural land. Historians believe that many agricultural systems originated in Turkey. Due to its fruitful soil, favourable climate and plentiful rainfall, in terms of food production, Turkey is one of the few self-sufficient countries in the world,'" read Rosie from the brochure.
"Sounds great!" enthused Azure.
Cumalikizik, Turkey, Close Up Of A Street
A closer look at a narrow street in Cumalikizik. The sides of the cobblestone street are slightly sloped toward the center to allow rainwater and wastewater to run down the middle. Notice the solid walls of the houses—built using rough-cut stone in irregular shapes. These beautiful buildings were built around 1300, at the formation of the Ottoman Empire. A popular tourist destination, this 700-year-old village is one of the oldest of its kind. Interestingly most of the houses are lived in by locals.

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@ Bursa, In Winter
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Azure!” said Aki ruefully.
"Never mind," said Azure. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"
Bursa, In Winter
Winter in Bursa, is between Dec. and Feb. with temperatures ranging from 57.4°F (14.1°C) and lows of 2ºC (35ºF). Uludag, Bursa is home to the most popular ski resort in Turkey. Sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, are all popular sports in the winter. The beautiful landscape with freshly fallen snow will make you want to take many pictures.

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@ Village House, Bursa, Turkey
Oh look ... you found a picturesque rock!
Village House, Bursa, Turkey
A traditional house in Bursa. Some of the houses are 700 years old and still in use today, a testament to how well built they are. Rough-cut stones and timber make up the walls and give a feeling of permanence and sturdiness. Local natural materials blend well with the landscape.

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@ Uludai Mountain, Bursa Province
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Azure!” said bunny ruefully.
"Never mind," said Azure. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"
Uludai Mountain, Bursa Province
Mount Uludai, which means Big Mountain, is an ancient extinct volcano once regarded as the Olympus of Mysia—known in mythology as the place where the gods watched the Trojan war. Mount Uluda? has an elevation of 2,543 m (8,343 ft). Skiing on the lightly treed mountain is in the intermediate range.

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@ Istanbul, Watercolour Sketch
"Chef's making Kabak mücveri tonight—Turkish courgette fritters, Snowball!" announced Azure. "They're made with grated courgette, flour and eggs. You can choose to have white Turkish cheese and onions added, and herbs such as parsley, dill, or mint. The fritters are usually fried until golden."
"They sound fabo!" remarked Snowball. "I'll have mine with a side serving of plain yogurt."
Istanbul, Watercolour Sketch
This beautiful watercolour sketch done with great detail would be a lovely addition to your pet's art gallery.

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@ Field of Poppies, Canola, Orhangazi, Bursa
"Why do our hotel rooms have a black arrow on the ceiling, Azure?" asked George.
"Ooh, our tour guide explained that. It's called a qibla pointer, and it points in the direction of Mecca in Saudi Arabia."
Field of Poppies, Canola, Orhangazi, Bursa
While my pets and I were visiting Orhangazi, Bursa, near Lake Iznik (Turkish: Iznik Gölü). We had set out for a day of sightseeing. We learned about the olive production in the area that was so important to the economy—they even have an olive festival. Our feet and paws were getting tired when we saw this field of Poppies and Canola—the sight was so soothing we rested amongst the flowers and listened to the bee's drone as they worked. What a pleasant way to end our sightseeing.

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@ Sunset Over Istanbul
"Hey, you should have joined Foxy and me for lunch at that café, Azure!" said Tallulah.
"Oh, I couldn't resist that street exhibition. Anyway, what did you eat?"
"I had borek, a flaky pastry parcel filled with spinach, garlic and cheese, and served with yoghurt. It was yummy!"
Sunset Over Istanbul
It doesn't matter where in the world you travel—you are sure to see some dramatic skies as night draws in. Cloud formations and colours in the sky can change rapidly, so keep that camera clicking.

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@ Ship, Coast Of Istanbul
"Chef's making Kabak mücveri tonight—Turkish courgette fritters, Shadow!" announced Azure. "They're made with grated courgette, flour and eggs. You can choose to have white Turkish cheese and onions added, and herbs such as parsley, dill, or mint. The fritters are usually fried until golden."
"They sound fabo!" remarked Shadow. "I'll have mine with a side serving of plain yogurt."
Ship, Coast Of Istanbul
What an amazing view. About 41,000 vessels of all sizes pass yearly through the Istanbul Strait, 8,000 of them being tankers carrying crude oil. Cruise ships dock at Galataport which is located on the shores of the Galata, Karakoy and Tophane neighbourhoods, at the entrance of Bosphorus.

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@ Baklava
"'Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the Turkish population, as almost half the country consists of agricultural land. Historians believe that many agricultural systems originated in Turkey. Due to its fruitful soil, favourable climate and plentiful rainfall, in terms of food production, Turkey is one of the few self-sufficient countries in the world,'" read Lalique from the brochure.
"Sounds great!" enthused Azure.
Baklava
Baklava is a sweet treat that originated in the Ottoman Empire. Baklava is created by spreading melted butter on each thin layer of filo dough and building up the layers, adding chopped pistachio, almond, or hazelnut layers in between. The baklava is cut before cooking. After baking, a syrup of honey, rosewater, or orange flower water is brushed over the top and allowed to soak into the pastry. There are regional variations, sometimes walnuts are used or cardamom, cinnamon. A truly delicious treat.

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@ The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
Oh look ... you found a picturesque rock!
The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge spans the Bosphorus/Strait Of Istanbul and is the third tallest bridge in the world. The bridge is also one of the world's widest suspension bridges at 58.4 meters (192 ft) wide. The foundation stone was laid in 2013 and opened for traffic in 2016.

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@ The Bosphorus Bridge
"Hey, you should have joined Foxy and me for lunch at that café, Azure!" said Balthazar.
"Oh, I couldn't resist that street exhibition. Anyway, what did you eat?"
"I had borek, a flaky pastry parcel filled with spinach, garlic and cheese, and served with yoghurt. It was yummy!"
The Bosphorus Bridge
Known officially as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, unofficially as the First Bridge. This is one of three suspension bridges that span the Bosphorus. Completed in 1973 this bridge was the fourth-longest suspension bridge in the world, now it ranks 33rd.

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@ Fireworks Over Istanbul
“Hey, have you seen what the next stop is, Azure?” said Reynard. "It looks fantastic!"
"I'll get my camera ready," said Azure.
Fireworks Over Istanbul
Dazzling flowers of light explode in the air above the Bosporus shores, most likely a New Year's Eve celebration. New Year’s Day in Turkey is a national holiday. If you or your pets are sensitive to loud noise, you may want to watch fireworks from further away or from inside a building.

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@ Traditional Turkish Coffee Cup
As Azure's tour of "Turkey: Marmara 2" comes to an end, he receives a wonderful gift!
Grey Mountains, Craggy Peaks
Jagged, steep, rounded, tree-filled or bare, snow-covered or subject to torrential rains—mountains are an outstanding feature on the landscape, they draw the eye, they inspire artists and climbers. Mountains affect the weather and can enclose an area of land creating valleys that are rich agricultural areas. Poems are written about mountains. Mountains are a haven for eagles and many forms of wildlife.

These marvellous mountain decorations will be perfect in your art slides whether you are making a mountain retreat for yourself or a home for your pets. Perhaps you have a pet who has always dreamed of going on a climbing expedition and making it to the top of the highest mountain. Used singly as a point of interest, or in multiples to create a whole mountain range, let your imagination soar.
Traditional Turkish Coffee Cup
A traditional coffee cup called “fincan” with a lid to keep the coffee warm and a sugar bowl. Turkish coffee is thick and strong, prepared by adding finely ground coffee beans to water with some sugar, and bringing it to just before the boil. The liquid is poured, the ground as well, into small cups.
Azure has completed his tour of "Turkey: Marmara 2"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour Turkey!