Attractions in Antalya, Turkey

Remaining in Turkey, this time with Katie's insights about Antalya, a coastal city that much like Oludeniz and Marmaris is nothing less than yet another fantastic beach spot on the Turkish Riviera. Another town where the mixture between beautiful beaches, old history, and a fine architecture works to perfection!

The modern city of Antalya is one of Turkey’s busiest. But away from the hustle and bustle there is a lot for the tourist to see and do for those who vacation in Antalya. To begin with, you can head to the old town, a small historic section called Kaleiçi. This used to be the original Roman town but was later an important centre in the Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. It contains many old and historic buildings, many of them now protected from the bulldozers.

Kaleici is full of smart but inexpensive boutique hotels and restaurants. Kaleici is surrounded by an old Roman harbour, once the heart of the city and where crops from the Taurus mountains were shipped off to the rest of the world.

Another attraction that’s well worth a visit is the ancient amphitheater at Aspendos, regarded as the best-preserved theater of antiquity. The theatre was built by the Greek architect Zenon in 155 AD and has a diameter of 96 meters and can sit 7,000. The theatre was used for concerts until recently, but has been damaged by noise and is currently not staging events. However, a new, modern version has been constructed nearby to continue its traditions.

The other sight worth seeing during your trip to Antalya is Tunek Tepe hill, on the west side of the city. The hill is 618 meters high and has spectacular views of the Gulf of Antalya and the surrounding countryside and mountains. It also has a hotel, a night club and famous rotating restaurant.

For more information on Antalya visit HolidayCheck.com where among other tourism info you can search and check prices for hotels close to the beaches nearby. Evaluating from the photo above the beaches are an Antalya's must see, or in other words, a must go for a swim there ;)

Bodrum and Halicarnassus, two more jewels on the Turkish Riviera

Another message from David, another article from Turkey :) David has been traveling along the Turkish Riviera, and in his latest message he told me he was near Bodrum on his way to see the ruins of Halicarnassus. This ancient Greek city, conquered by Alexander the Great around 334 BC, was previously part of the Persian Empire and home of the famous Mausoleum of Halicarnassus - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Located on the East side of the Turkish Riviera Bodrum is a city that, much like Oludeniz, one can use as starting point for a visit to this area. All one needs to do is try to find cheap flights to Bodrum and then rent a car there. In terms of distance to the other beach spots we've been talking about in this last posts, Marmaris is about 140 kilometers away and from there to Oludeniz you can count with another 140 kms, according to Google Maps each travel should take you 3 hours give or take.

Besides the Mausoleum ruins Bodrum has several other architectural landmarks worthy of visit, one example of that is the huge Theatre of Halicarnassus you can see in the photo above. From another era the amazing Castle of St. Peter, nowadays converted into a museum, is also a must visit. The cannons of this medieval fortress, strategically positioned near the harbor, successfully defended the city from it's enemies several times.

For those into water activities a visit to the modern marina of Bodrum can be worthy, David mentioned that there are several sea excursions available from there. One final thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the fabulous photos and allow me to go ad one more destiny to my travel wish-list ;)

Oludeniz, another fabulous beach in Turkey

After receiving David's message telling how much he's loving his stay at Oludeniz I've made some online research and I'm much inclined to ad yet another Turkish beach to my wish list. This small beach town in the Fethiye district offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful beach surrounded by an amazing set of mountains. Also since Dalaman's airport isn't too far, about 60 kilometers, flying to Dalaman and rent a car there is most definitely a viable option.

Besides the obvious beautiful beach scenario the climate also favors Oludeniz as a Summer Vacation destination. With average temperatures between 25° and 35° Celsius from May to October one may say they have a six month Summer there! For those of you who like a bit of adventure there are also good news: the mountains surrounding the beach are said to be a cool spot for para-sailing. Judging from the photo bellow it must be an awesome experience :)

I'm still dazzled by the flying photo above... Speaking of flying, doing it directly to Dalaman's airport can lower the travel budget, who knows allowing one to combine stays in both Oludeniz and Marmaris. These two cities are both good beach destinations and they're apart no further than a two hour drive (140 kilometers, give or take). As to where to stay in Oludeniz - hotel or apartment? - I guess I'm gonna wait for David's input.

Finally, the usual thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the photos. And David - I can't wait to see your vacation pictures!!

Turkey Holidays - Getting more popular every year, Marmaris and Altinkum!‏

Once again in Turkey, this time thanks to Chris who sent this guest post telling us all about the beautiful beach town of Marmaris. Can't wait to go there and try it for myself. Looks absolutely amazing ;)

For years Turkey has been a prime destination for holidaymakers from all over the globe and with it's fine selection of districts, towns and resorts as well as heavy investment in the holiday industry, Turkey is climbing up towards being the number one holiday destination for everyone who enjoys a year round gorgeous climate, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, (with a whole load of extras on the side as well!).


One of the most popular resorts in Turkey (if not the most popular) is the city of Marmaris, which is located on the southwestern Mediterranean coast. The city is mainly very popular due to the high number of bars and clubs in the area, where the hardcore partygoer can party all night throughout a number of different establishments. There is also some great beach bars, cafes and of course many fantastic restaurants offering a fine selection of traditional Turkish cuisine as well as international dishes, so you won't be at a loss of what to eat.


The beaches are of course very beautiful and popular, but make sure you get down there early especially in the summer time, as getting a prime spot on the sand can sometimes be a little tricky! Either way you will still be able to experience the full potential of both main beaches in Marmaris.


As for activities, there is plenty to see and do in Marmaris, including the Dalyan Mud baths, two substantial water parks and for the site seeing enthusiast, The King Tombs, which can only be viewed by boat are incredibly over 3000 years old!

Another great resort to choose for your holiday in Turkey is Altinkum! Just 123 kilometers from the town of Aydin the resort is getting more popular with each year that passes, however it is quite a bit more laid back that the city of Marmaris, meaning you can enjoy the resort in the summer months without having to deal with the substantial club scene and partygoers that favor Marmaris as their number one spot. Altinkum also boasts better beaches that Marmaris and with bigger and better beaches comes more space for you to keep to yourself and truly relax in!


Nightlife is still available in Altinkum, however it is far more chilled out than the more popular resorts, meaning you can enjoy a quiet walk around town at any time of the evening.

There is always something new to try and somewhere new to explore in Turkey, so why not check out Sunmaster for the latest Turkey holidays and book yours today!

Istanbul, Byzantium or Constantinople - dream vacations in Turkey

Today I'll be giving wings to my vacation and travel wishes so instead of a place I already know, I'll be writing about a place that I'm sure I would love to visit! As you may know, I'm much fond of Italy and Greece so, staying in Europe, I would definitively had to dream with the other country in the South Eastern side, Turkey. Much like Italy and Greece, the Republic of Turkey is another one of those countries that breaths history everywhere, in it's case the Ottoman Empire history.


Speaking of Turkish history is of course speaking of Istanbul. In it's earlier days a Greek city called Byzantium, later renamed to Constantinople and made capital of the Roman Eastern Empire. In 1453, after a long siege, the city was conquered by the Sultan Mehmed II and made again capital but this time of the Ottoman Empire. A very well known symbol of this last conquest (know in history books as the Fall of Constantinople) is the Hagia Sophia Mosque (photo above), a former Roman/Greek Orthodox Basilica that was converted to a Mosque in the very first day after the Ottoman victory.


Speaking of Mosques, what to say about the beauty of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (above) locally know as the Blue Mosque. It's in fact very hard to find words that accurately describe the uniqueness of the architecture of this structure. The numerous cupolas and domes accompanied by the six minarates seen from the Courtyard are absolutely amazing.


Another fine example of the Ottoman architecture is the Dolmabahçe Palace with it's Baroque decorated facade, beautiful. This palace is located on the margins of the Bosphorus, also know as the Istanbul Strait, the Strait that separates the city in two and that also serves as boundary between Europe and Asia.


As if Istambul's historical side wasn't enough to convince me, I must also say that the city streets appear to be filled of life and activity. Above, a view from the İstiklal Avenue in the historical center. For me a reminder of how much I liked the busy streets of Heraklion, the capital of the Greek island of Crete.

Most definitively I'm certain that as soon as I can I'll be making a vacation in Turkey. For now, Istanbul has for sure assured a higher place on my dream vacations wishlist!

David Hagerman: The Ferry Boats of Istanbul

Photo © David Hagerman-All Rights Reserved

David Hagerman attended The Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Istanbul and produced an evocative audio slideshow titled The Ferry Boats of Istanbul, which he just published on his blog.

Yes, Istanbul is the city of Sultanahmet Camii, the Aya Sofya, the Kapalı Çarşı, but it's also the Bosphorus ferries that characterize it. These ferries provide vital links between different areas of that magnificent city, connecting the European and the Asian coastline. The first steam ferries appeared on the Bosphorus in 1837, were operated by private sector companies and currently carry approximately 61 million passengers yearly.

It is these that Dave decided to document. The audio slideshow with its glowing images and ambient sound will transport you in such ferries...the sound of the turnstiles, the sirens, the voices of the passengers, and even the clink of the spoon in tea glasses that are served on ferries...all ambient sound intelligently selected to provide a complete visual and aural experience of these Istanbuli fixtures.

David Hagerman is a photographer based in Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia, whose work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal Asia, Saveur, Budget Travel, Travel & Leisure SEA, The Chicago Tribune, South China Morning Post, Time Out KL, and Lonely Planet guidebooks. His work is also featured on the very popular Eating Asia blog.

The best of Istanbul, Turkey

And lets thanks Talya (Editor of The Guide Istanbul) who is today for the first time guest posting here taking us all the way to Turkey with some tips and advices on places to go, things to see and spots to stay on Istanbul :)

Istanbul is a magical city with grand mosques, cafes and busy markets coupled with a modern metropolis showing signs of a physical renaissance and renewed cultural vibrancy.

Istanbul is also an extremely large city, with over 13 million inhabitants. Without an Istanbul guide it can be overwhelming to decide how to prioritize what to do, sites to see, where to stay, where to go out, and what to eat. Make the most out of your Istanbul vacation, and experience the best the city has to offer.


Sleep at Barcelo Eresin Topkapi, an elegant hotel with architecture reflecting bygone days. You will never want to leave the spacious, light-filled rooms that will encourage you to relax and sleep the day away. The hotel also offers special guest care, a 1000-square-meter Wellness Centre and a convention center.

Eat at Ulus 29. Since 1993, Ulus 29 has been offering a variety of cuisine in an unbeatable location with magnificent views of the Bosphorus and its bridge. The restaurant couples traditional flavored food presented in a modern fashion.


Go Out at Lux, a new club where people actually dance! Enjoy Boogying the night away to soul funk, soulful house and nu disco music. There are occasionally live performances, and when there is not the DJ makes sure everyone is having a good time.

Visit Hagia Sophia if you are even remotely interested in history. Hagia Sophia is an incredible structure with remarkable structure and a fascinating history. The museum inside the building includes holy relics and astonishing iconography examples.


Shop at Sofa, a captivating antique store located in the Grand Bazaar. The quality merchandise includes engravings, jewelry, textiles, calligraphy, miniatures, silver and textiles. Merchandise presentation and packaging is what really sets Sofa apart, and frames are often more beautiful than the paintings they hold.


Make the most out of Istanbul tourism by following these recommendations for an unforgettable trip that you will remember for the rest of your life.

The best value holiday destinations in 2011

Again with David, this time for one of the most internationals guest post of all. Tagged with no more and no less than eight different countries from four different continents :)

Turkey - The popularity of Turkey as a holiday destination has rocketed over the years and one of the reasons for this is the value for money if offers. Whilst the prices in shops, bars and restaurants have risen as the numbers of tourists have increased, you can still get a fantastic deal on all inclusive holidays in Turkey which will no doubt prove to be a popular option for many planning their summer holiday in 2011.


Spain - Whilst it hadn’t exactly fallen of the radar, the poor exchange rates had meant that some people were abandoning Spain in preference for other destinations with more favorable exchange rates. Times have certainly changed now though and the weak Euro will likely see tourists flooding back to visit Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. Now offering great value for money, with hotels, shops, bars and restaurants fighting for business, there’s no doubt that normal service will be resumed and Spain will once again be one of the best value holiday destinations in 2011.


Egypt - Undoubtedly one of the most popular holiday destinations in 2010, the trend of Brits heading abroad to Egypt on holiday looks set to continue into 2011, despite the negative press coverage the country received due to the shark attacks at the end of last year. The year round sunny weather is an obvious reason why Egypt appeals to so many people but there’s much more to the country than that. The beautiful beaches, numerous things to see and do and the amazing all-inclusive hotels mean that Egypt only looks like getting more and more popular with tourists going forward.


Thailand - Whilst the inclusion of Thailand in this list may surprise some, anyone hoping to travel slightly further afield on a budget this year should place Thailand high on their list of potential destinations. In past years, a common consensus has been that it is expensive to get to Thailand but cheap once you get there. This is still true to a certain extent but with the number of flights leaving airports from all around the UK and not just London increasing all the time, getting to Thailand is becoming easier and cheaper all the time. With so much to see and do once you get there, you should be sure to consider Thailand as a holiday destination this year.


America - Another country which perhaps isn’t the most obvious value holiday destination is the USA. Always a favorite with tourists around the world, Florida and Las Vegas are particularly popular with tourists. America’s greatest appeal is that there is so much to see and do there. No matter whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, a group of friends or a family, the US has something for everyone. Renowned for its theme parks, the US is also a favorite with shopaholics as it’s possible to save significant amounts of money when the exchange rate is favorable. Whilst the exchange rate isn’t as good as it was a couple of years ago, it is still fairly stable and you can still pick up some good deals. With more and more flights leaving to America every day from the UK and many hotels and theme parks offering discounted rates because of the slow US holiday market, 2011 may see plenty of tourists heading across the pond to the US on holiday.


The Algarve, Portugal - A destination that relies heavily on British visitors, the competition to attract guests in 2011 has seen prices at hotels, restaurants, shops and bars slashed in an effort to tempt UK visitors back. This price cutting is likely to serve its purpose as Brits will flood back to The Algarve this year thanks to the low cost holidays on offer. The great beaches and Mediterranean climate along with the fairly short flight times and costs will be sure to appeal to many in 2011.


Iceland - Despite not being one of the most renowned tourist destinations around, Iceland is a great budget holiday destination and a favorite with adventure seekers. As a result of its weak economy, accommodation and food costs have been slashed in an attempt to reignite the tourism industry, something that plenty of Brits will be happy to take advantage of. With more flights leaving the UK, it is fairly inexpensive to get to Iceland and the stunning scenery on offer combined with the low cost of traveling and staying in Iceland will make it a winner with tourists in 2011.


Bulgaria - Another destination that has seen a boom in visitor numbers, Bulgaria is still one of the best value tourist destinations around despite its spurt in popularity over the past few years. Whilst it may be slightly more expensive that it was, it is still very cheap compared to other holiday destinations around the world. For those in search of beach holidays, there’s Sunny Beach which is a popular resort with, as you would expect, a nice sunny beach. There are also a number of beach front bars, restaurants and clubs that make it a popular destination for people looking to unwind. On the opposite end of the scale, there is Bansko which is a popular ski destination between December and May each year. Whether its sand or snow you’re after, Bulgaria may be the perfect destination for you.


Written by the team at travelsupermarket.com, a travel price comparison site which specializes in finding cheap holidays, hotels, flights, airport parking and everything else relating to travel.

The world’s top 10 most beautiful beaches

A guest post brought to you by David from the team at travelsupermarket.com, a price comparison site which compares prices on hotels, flights, holidays and car hire.



Oludeniz Beach, Turkey



The beautiful Oludeniz Beach is undoubtedly one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean and it’s clear to see why. Known as the Turquoise Coast due to the stunning blue and aquamarine shades of water, the crystal clear sea is perfect for swimming in. Many water sports activities take place on the beach including scuba diving, water skiing, canoeing and banana boating. The most popular activity however is paragliding with many visitors taking to the skies to take in the spectacular views from 2,000 metres above the sea and beach.







Whitehaven Beach, Australia



There were plenty of Australian beaches that were candidates to make this list but due to its sheer beauty it’s Whitehaven Beach that has to be included. This picture-postcard beach is very special and not just for obvious reasons like the gorgeous fine, white sand which is 98% pure silica giving it its bright white colour or the warm, clear, azure waters which are perfect for swimming in. What really makes this beach stand out is the surrounding tropical forest and various islands dotted around in the distance.







Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles



Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles is without a doubt one of the most stunning beaches in the world. The perfect exotic beach is the ideal tropical escape and the beautiful coastline is a series of soft pink sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and colourful corals. Other stand out features of the beach are the rounded granite boulders and palm trees which make the beach feel even more tropical. The water is invitingly warm and makes the Anse Source d’Argent a popular destination with couples and families alike.







Fernando De Noronha, Brazil



Some 200 miles plus off Natal on Brazil’s north-eastern coast is Fernando De Noronha, an archipelago of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the fact that Fernando De Noronha isn’t a single beach, it had to be included on the list because of its natural beauty and stunning surroundings. What makes this area so special is that there are so few tourists on these islands,

meaning that those that do visit Fernando De Noronha are often left alone in paradise. The clarity and warmth of the water and the abundant underwater life means that these islands are also popular with divers and snorkelers. As well as fish, dolphins, sea turtles and sharks there is a Brazilian warship, which sank in 1987 and is lying in pristine condition at around 60 metres deep.







Matira Beach, Bora Bora



Widely recognised as the most beautiful lagoon in the world, Matira Beach is one of the few accessible beaches in Bora Bora. Perfect for activities like swimming and snorkelling, the water is warm, crystal clear and extremely calm. The beach is free from large groups of tourists but should anyone be looking for even more peace there are even more isolated beaches nearby. From the white sand beach you’ll likely see dolphins out in the ocean which is a spectacular sight.







Maroma Beach, Mexico



A beautifully romantic beach which is situated on the Yucatan Peninsula coastline in Mexico, Maroma beach is blissfully peaceful despite being only 30 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. The pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters and warm tropical breezes have helped establish Maroma Beach’s reputation as somewhat of a paradise. Regularly nominated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, the amazing landscape, vast expanse of uninterrupted pure white sandy beaches and the attractive green tropical foliage has helped Maroma Beach establish itself as one of the finest beaches on the planet. On top off all this there’s the Cozumel reef which is the world’s second largest barrier. Located just off the Maroma beach, it is a famous deep sea diving spot which also allows visitors to swim with dolphins.







Pink Sands, Harbour Island, Bahamas



Pink Sands Beach ticks all the boxes required to be considered a fantastic beach. It certainly has the beautiful soft sand, the warm clear water and the fantastic weather. There’s another unique feature however which helps this beach stand out from the crowd. The clue as to what this might be is in the name of the beach. Pinks Sands beach is known as such because it has, as you’ve probably guessed, pink sand! Attracting tourists from all over the world, the colour of Pink Sands Beach comes

from the reddish shells of microscopic coral insects called Foraminifera. When these insects die, they leave behind their shells which are then crushed by the waves and brought to the shore to mix in with the sand. The result of this is the pink sand which covers the Pink Sands Beach.







Kondoi Beach, Japan



Taketomi Island is an island just off the coast of Ishigaki Island and is home to one of the world’s best beaches. With its emerald green water, white sand and warm water that is ideal for swimming in, Kondoi beach is undoubtedly one of the finest beaches in not just Asia but the world. Nearby are grassy, shaded picnic areas which are great if you want to get out of the sun for a bit.







Sinclair’s Bay, Scotland



When you think of beautiful beaches you probably don’t think of Scotland. However, when the sun comes out on Sinclair’s Bay it has the look of a Caribbean beach with a very Scottish twist! At either end of the four mile arc of white sand are the ruins of 16th Century castles. Home to a spectacular array of wildlife including plovers, dunlins, porpoises and orca, there’s plenty to take in when you visit and the best way to see all of the beach is on horseback.







Lanikai Beach, Hawaii



Like Australia, there were plenty of candidates from Hawaii but Lanikai Beach is probably the best of the Hawaiian contenders. The name Lanikai means ‘heavenly sea’ in the Hawaiian language and it’s certainly a fitting name for this beach. With warm clear water and a fine white sand beach, the beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. Located on Oahu's Windward coast, anyone in the area should be sure to check out this stunning beach and its beautiful surrounding areas.







Once more a big thank you David and hope to have you writing here again soon!

Global Post: Turkish Brothels

Photo © Nicholas Dynan-All Rights Reserved
One of my favorite online news provider is Global Post, not only for its cutting edge news reporting and analysis, but also for its frequent "off-the-beaten-path" features such as the one of Turkish transsexual brothels by Nicholas Dynan.

It also periodically publishes Full Frame which features photo essays and conversations with photographers in the field (including myself).

The Turkish transsexual brothels which, we are told, can be located in the busiest streets of Istanbul, and are the work place of some of Istanbul's transgender and transsexual sex workers.

To the best of my recollection, only one attendee of the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Istanbul last June presented work relating to transgender issues. Pedro Gomes, who attended my multimedia class, produced Esmeray, an audio slideshow about a transgender feminist-sex worker-actor.

Mervyn Leong: Hammams, Spreader of Warmth

Here's a lovely audio-slideshow by the gifted Mervyn Leong W.Y. which you can either view on Vimeo (click above) or via his website here. The quality of the latter is better.

Mervyn attended the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Istanbul (he also attended last year's in Manali), and participated in Rena Effendi's Telling A Human Story Through A Compelling Portrait class. I spent time with Mervyn as he prepared to photograph inside the less-than-hospitable-for-photography interiors of the hammams, and can vouch for his meticulous planning, and how he took pains to wrap his camera, lenses and audio gear in saran-wrap (to protect them against moisture and steam).

An engineer by profession, Mervyn took photography and photojournalism more seriously a couple of years ago, and has made impressive strides in his work. He's also endowed with an encyclopedic knowledge of gastronomy, cooking and food in general.

I think that Hammams: Spreader of Warmth is a very well made audio slideshow (I particularly like the opening image of the slideshow, which is almost a painting), and the audio tracks are well sync'ed. You'll find it a delight to watch...and like the patrons enjoying the turkish bath, you may feel equally relaxed and refreshed.

The hamams in the Ottoman culture started out as annexes to mosques, and quickly evolved into institutions and eventually into monumental structural complexes in the mid 1500s. Typical hamams consist of three interconnected rooms: the sıcaklık which is the hot room; the warm room which is the intermediate room; and the soğukluk, which is the cool room.

Mugur Vărzariu: Pillars of Faith

Photo © Mugur Vărzariu-All Rights Reserved
Photo © Mugur Vărzariu-All Rights Reserved
Photo © Mugur Vărzariu-All Rights Reserved
Mugur Vărzariu is a photojournalist based in Romania who attended the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Istanbul, and was in Adriana Zehbrauskas' On Assignment class.

It's a testament to Mugur's intrinsic talent that he started as a photographer less than four months ago. Yes, you read that right...less than 4 months ago, and he also just won the ‘Leica for AICR’ People Photo Contest, where one can read his interview.

He tells us that his first choice for a photojournalism project was to document faith, and to stress through his imagery that, despite the difference in the names or sites of worship, people’s faith is the same. Largely self-taught, he also attended a workshop in Italy with Paolo Pellegrin.

Mugur graduated in economics, and worked in marketing strategy (or brand positioning) for 15 years, when he helped position hundreds of brands. This, he believes, has helped him position his own craft...and from what I've seen from his work at the Foundry and on his website, he has succeeded.

I predict we'll hear and see more of Mugur Vărzariu. Have a look at his website, and you'll agree with me. The above images are from his Pillars of Faith gallery.

My Work: Belly Dancing In Istanbul

Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved
Due to the distance between the historic Sultanahmet district and Kadikoy where the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop was based, I wasn't able to photograph much of Istanbul...except for some grab shots with my new GF1.

However, some of us did manage to take some time and attend a folkloric dance program in Sultanahmet, where we were allowed to photograph at will.

The above photograph was made at the Hocapasha Cultural Center in Eminönü during a wonderful performance. The dance was under black light or UV light...and was minimally color corrected.

I used my Canon 5D Mark II and a 70-200 2.8 Canon lens....and yes, my Foundry class attendees; it's a vertical!!!

Turkish Yogurt War: Image Rights

Photo Courtesy The BBC
The BBC reported that an elderly Greek discovered that his image was being used to sell Turkish yogurt in Sweden, and considered not only a personal affront, but a breach of his right to keep his image and likeness from being commercially exploited without permission or contractual compensation.

Minas Karatzoglou claims that his likeness was used without his permission by Lindahl's Dairy of Jonkoping in southern Sweden, and has commenced legal action against the company for compensation for the amount of $9 million.

On a prima facie basis, this appears to be a simple matter of some photographer not having the requisite model release...however there's more to that than meets the eye, because Karatzoglou is an ardent Greek nationalist who harbors deep-seated rancor against Turkey for its occupation of Greece. His grandfather and great grandfather took part in the War of Independence, which began in 1821, which ended centuries of Ottoman rule, and led to the formation of the modern Hellenic state.

In fact, Karatzoglou wears a panoply of 19th Century flintlock pistols and a curved dagger, which he claims have killed Turks.

The Swedish company claims that it bought the photograph of the mustachioed Karatzoglou from a Spanish photo agency, and that it has all the appropriate rights it needs to use this picture commercially.

I wouldn't like to be in the photographer's (or the head of the yogurt manufacturer's) shoes if he had to travel to Greece. These flintlock pistols seem to be in good working order.

I've posted my thoughts and recommendations on model releases in a 2008 post titled POV: Model Releases.

Tantalizing Turkey

Like us, you've probably traveled to Europe countless times. It's a culturally diverse continent to which we return time and time again, a user-friendly destination within the comfort zone of most American travelers. So, at the end of our Bike Bulgaria adventure, I was all set to go back to some old familiar European stomping grounds...until I peeked at a map and pinpointed Turkey, gateway to Eurasia. Bordered by eight countries, it seemed like an excellent choice for a serendipitous place to visit after our Bulgaria adventure.

We were dead on with our decision. Now I can't wait to return to this magical country of sensory overload. If you're yearning for something different to cap your European travels, don't miss Turkey. In an upcoming post, we'll share our top tips along with a few of our travel tales from the land of the Ottoman Empire. Until then, keep on traveling in 2010!

~Ann Lombardi
The Trip Chicks

Global Post: Whirling Dervishes

Photo © Nichole Sobecki/GlobalPost-All Rights Reserved
Global Post features an article and photographs by Nichole Sobecki titled Death of Rumi Breeds A Lively Dance relating to the most celebrated mystical poet of the Islamic and Sufism, and how the Mevlevi religious order founded by the poet celebrates his life 800 years on, with performances by Sufi whirling dervishes.

The Dervishes are Sufi Muslims who have chosen an ascetic way of life, and were known their extreme poverty and austerity, very similar to the Hindu sadhus.

Sufi whirling is a non-passive form of meditation which is practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. It is a dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which the dervishes seek to reach the source of all perfection by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning around in repetitive circles.

Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved
When I started taking photography seriously a little over 10 years ago, I attended a Sema dances at the Galata Mevlevihanesi in the Beyoglu area of Istanbul. I recall being seated next to a professional photographer, who intimidated me with his air of utter confidence. He started photographing with a bunch of top level Nikons, and so did I with my shiny new Canon Elan II (I just checked and used models are sold for $70). The above photograph was one of my better results, which I am quite sure was a fluke. Whatever it was, I think Nichole Sobecki's photograph is much better.

As the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop will be held in Istanbul, I wager that documenting the dervishes at the Galata Mevlevihanesi will be one of the students' project.

Top 3 Travel Hugs

Thursday is for Huggers

Do we hug more when we travel? I mean, hug people you've known for 10 minutes and will never see again? I've had some memorable ones -- by teachers on train platforms, grandparents on Polish balconies, drunk telephone line workers near a crocodile-filled pond in the Yucatan. But I've narrowed it down to my most memorable trio:


IN A VIETNAM CAVE
When I first went to Vietnam in the mid '90s there was still real concern how locals would treat Americans. Sometimes things feel different on the road, like this full-on hug from a former North Vietnam captain in an empty cave in Cat Ba a couple years ago. Maybe he liked my zip-off-pants/shorts.

BY JFK (AIRPORT)
I always talk with taxi drivers, particularly on the road, because there's always stories to hear, and there's time to kill anyway. Recently my first THREE taxi drivers in Las Vegas were all women. All seemed from the same worn-out-from-Midwest club, and indeed they hailed from Ohio, Illinois and upstate New York (kinda Midwest). But the best experience was the Nigerian-American man, a very large one, who responded to my $15 tip one time with a lasting bear hug at the JFK curb.

--> New travel rule? Taxi drivers and their passengers should hug more often, particularly in New York.

IN A TINY TURKISH BAR
I've only been to Istanbul once, but the 'time spent: likely hug' ratio was stunning. At least for me. The biggest and most bruising hug came from a large bearded guy at a bar in an alley off Istiklal Caddesi. From the get-go, he sort of adopted me as his new buddy, splitting time with his laughing girlfriend and embracing me ways that I still don't comprehend. My friends thought it was hilarious. The free beer was a nice touch though.

My Show Off: Whirling Dervishes

Photograph © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved
Here's another of my weekly Show-Off features with an example of my personal photography on The Travel Photographer's blog. Click on the photograph to view it larger size. I used one of Lightroom 2.0 standard presets to accentuate the photograph's colors.

It was photographed in Istanbul while Mevlevi dervishes perform a sema ceremony with a traditional orchestra at Istanbul's Galata Mevlevihanesi in Beyoglu. The sema is derived from Jalaluddin Rumi's habit of occasionally whirling in ecstatic joy in the streets of Konya. The whirling dances are just one of the physical methods used to try to reach religious ecstasy in Sufism.

Ramin Rahimian: Istanbul

Image Copyright © Ramin Rahimian-All Rights Reserved
Ramin Rahimian's slideshow on Istanbul starts with a quote from Alphonse de Lamartine: "If one has but one glance to give the world, one should gaze at Istanbul". How true.

However if you expect to see skyline of Istanbul, its beautiful mosques and other architectural wonders, you'll be disappointed. Ramin's work is of the documentary style, and it's beautifully edgy.

Ramin was born in Iran and grew up in northern California. He started taking photojournalism seriously at UC Berkeley and currently freelances out of Salt Lake City in Utah. He worked for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and freelances for thee New York Times, Reuters, ZUMA and has gleaned many awards.

His website has interesting other photo essays which I encourage you to see. The one titled Boomtown is particularly powerful...but for TTP, I chose Ramin's view of Istanbuli life, and also chose this photograph because of its colors and shadow play.

Ramin Rahimian's Istanbul