It's Irfan's Birthday Today

Dear Diary,

Today is Irfan’s birthday. He’s 3 years old. Let me tell you a bit about my youngest son…

He’s one cheeky boy. Among my three children, he is the only one who likes to tease people. He likes to smile but don’t fall for his smiles because he’s also very garang. He’s very close to me. Wherever I am, he’s there like a shadow; maybe because I raised him from baby without helper unlike his brother and sister.

He started talking much later than Imran and Zarra at around 2+ years old. At first, he talks gibberish. I’m the only one who understands his “language” though there are times I myself had no idea what he’s trying to say. Alhamdulillah, in the last two months his speech has become more comprehensible. His sentence construction is also better. Lately, he seems to talk non stop. This is very different from his younger self who was quieter.

He always offers to help me with chores and always like to participate in what his elder siblings are doing. One more thing, he’s very neat and quite particular in arranging things.

MUHAMMAD SYAHIR IRFAN – My prayers are with you always. May you grow up to become a soleh son who brings happiness to people around you. May Allah bless you with good health and good life.

I love you always!

Blue Art Center, Cappadocia, Turkey, Nov 2012

Dear Diary,

Stuffed with delicious foods and done with lunch at an underground cave restaurant, we hopped on to our tour bus. Ibrahim, our quiet driver, drove us to Blue Art Center.

Blue Art Center is a jewelry production center, located in the heart of Anatolian region. Assorted types of jewelry are produced here using gems such as turquoise, lapis, emerald, amber, amethyst, onyx that come from all over the world.

A representative of the center briefed us on their products. All female member of our tour group were ecstatic, me including, listening attentively to the explanation given. Girls being girls kan.

Turquoise is a very important stone for Turks and plays an important role in their lives traditionally.

In the end, I didn’t get anything. Too expensive la, better I buy 916 kan :-)

Altinocak Restaurant, Cappadocia, Turkey, Nov 2012

Dear Diary,

Having experience moon-like landscapes at Uchisar Castle,Pigeon Valley and Goreme Open Air Museum, we were all geared up for our next unique experience.

Destination: Altinocak Restaurant

Description: An underground cave restaurant

For lunch, we devoured bread with soup, salad, rice with fish and pudding.

For a while there, we got to experience “living” in a cave.

Address: Yeni Mahalle Hasankalesi Mevkii Eski Tuz Yolu No. 95 50500 Avanos Cappadocia. Website: www.cappadociarestaurants.com

Goreme Open Air Museum, Cappadocia, Turkey, Nov 2012

Dear Diary,

When you hear or read the word MUSEUM, what images usually come into your mind? What appears in my mind is usually an image of a building or room that displays old historical stuffs. Imagine my awe when we were told that we’d be going to an open air museum. No wonder Turkey is a popular choice among tourists because the country is blessed with many natural marvels.

Buckle or Tokali Church

Goreme Open Air Museum, a World Heritage Site, is an extensive cluster of cave churches with original wall paintings. Visitors can explore and marvel at many churches and chapels carved side by side into the rocks, such as Nunnery, St. Barbara Church, Apple Church, Dark Church, Buckle (Tokali) Church, etc.

Other worldly landscape of Goreme Open Air Museum

Merchandise sold at the museum's gift shop

Once again, we didn’t join the tour inside the rock-carved churches. Do, however, enjoy few photos that I snapped around the museum’s entrance and gift shop.

Tok dengan cucu-cucu

While waiting for the rest of the group finished the tour, we warmed ourselves inside a café. It’s heavenly sipping hot chocolate in cold weather.

Sources: www.goreme.com, www.muze.gov.tr

Uchisar Castle & Pigeon Valley, Cappadocia, Turkey, Nov 2012

Dear Diary,

Lepaih bepinau mata dan telan ayaq liuq tengok carpet cantik-cantik, we left Golden Yarn Carpet empty handed. Before arriving at our next destination, we made a photo stop at Uchisar Castle and Pigeon Valley. Yes, a short stop just for taking pictures. Upon looking at the splendid geographical surroundings, I can understand why the photo stop was included in our itinerary. The view is absolutely unique!!

Uchisar Castle

Uchisar Castle, a natural rock castle, is the highest point of Cappadocia region. From the internet, I found out that visitors can hike all the way up to Uchisar Castle and be rewarded with amazing vista of the region (which includes Mount Erciyes, Hasan Moutains, Pigeon Valley, Goreme town, etc).

Dovecotes carved into rocks

Pigeon Valley earned its name from thousands of pigeon houses (dovecotes) that can be seen everywhere. The dovecotes, from which farmers collect dung to be used as fertilizers, are carved into rock dwellings.

 

Apart from the unique view, my kids also got to experience posing on a camel's hump. It all started with Zarra. She was very eager to climb and sit on the camel. We obliged with her request. Her siblings on the other hand refused to join her in the beginning but had change of hearts in the end.

For shoppers, there is a row of souvenir shops lining the roadside for their conveniences.

Sources: www.goreme.com, www.newgoreme.com

Missing

Dear Diary,

I miss blogging so much! But when you leave something for quite some time, it takes a lot of effort to start again and get the rhythm going.

Don't know when I'll be able to pick up from where I left. Soon I hope...

Lemau Sungguh La

Dear Diary,

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

to everybody

Awat tak tau la pasai apa lemau sungguh nak update blog. Bukan tak dak ceghita nak habaq tapi asai dok depan laptop mai la segala macam distraction. So, please bear with my laziness.

Till i find my writing mojo...take care.