Thinking about museums @ National Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece, February 29, 2020
Thinking about museums In most cities, I notice that history museums are not top-ranked destinations for travelers. But in some ‘mega’ historical places, their archaeological museums are widely known as ‘unmissable’. Athens was such a place, as was Cairo in Egypt. I believe that museums are an odd place for many people – the idea of visiting a museum almost always seems like a good thing, but the actual experience is often frustrating, although people do not usually talk about their feelings afterward. I think a...
Last days with my car @ Corinth, Greece, March 2, 2020
Last days with my car Due to the global spread of the virus, it is not the best time for overseas travels these days. Nonetheless, I’m largely sticking to my original itineraries. I am moving eastward, ultimately arriving in Vladivostok in the Russian Far East. And unfortunately, I had decided that I would leave my car around Europe and turn into a backpacker by the time I visit Central Asia. The purpose is not to throw the car away or leave it behind, but it is...
Monasteries of Meteora @ Meteora, Greece, February 23, 2020
Monasteries of Meteora Meteora refers to the rock formation in Central Greece and the area hosts six active monasteries of Eastern Orthodox Church. In the 14th century, monks from Mount Athos ( a peninsula in northeastern Greece and the center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism) moved to this area, fleeting the raids by the Ottoman empire. Understandably, the access to the monasteries was deliberately difficult, and the primary means of moving goods and people were ropes and baskets. Nowadays, steps have been cut into the rock, and...
Mercimek koftesi @ Lüleburgaz, Turkey, February 15, 2020
Mercimek koftesi Turkish cuisine is rich and diverse. The Ottoman Empire had allowed the introduction of multiple cultures, and different cuisines co-evolved over time. And I am glad that I had tried at least some of the most iconic dishes during my stay. In Lüleburgaz, a city in western Turkey, I had the pleasure to taste home-made Mercimek Koftesi, or lentil meatball. Its characteristic shape is the result of squeezing it in the palm, and it looks practically the same as Çiğ köfte, or raw meatball,...
with Sibel and Ozlem @ Istanbul, Turkey, February 8th, 2020
with Sibel and Ozlem Last time it was summer and they were travelers, and now it is winter and they are locals. By coincidence, we reunited on a very cold day in Istanbul, and for some time we had to cover our faces as we walked because pieces of snow were getting into our eyes. Although I was a bit unwell that day, I was excited that it felt like a late Christmas for me, with friendly company and snowy streets. Especially when walking across busy...
with Özgür and friends @ Çıtır Balık, Antalya, Turkey, January 26, 2020
Some Turkish friends strongly recommended a fish sandwich place in town. I was happy to learn that the place was only two minutes from where I stay, but from the outside, the popularity seemed overwhelming – the queue for placing orders was long, and there was another queue for the people who wanted to get seated. Trying to figure out how a new place works can be stressful, especially as an illiterate foreigner, but I didn’t hesitate much, anticipating the new experience. By pointing at a...
Arrival @ Antalya, Turkey, January 22, 2020
Arrived in Antalya. From the North East of Turkey, I’ve visited places along a diagonal route to get to Antalya, a city known for its mild climate and beaches. During the past months, I’ve come up with some creative ways to stay relaxed and comfortable in a cold climate, just so that I am still open to new experiences. But, nothing makes me more excited than having to wear a sunblock in the afternoon and not needing a thick coat anymore. @ Antalya, Turkey, January 22,...
Bike riders @ Hopa and Trabzon, Turkey, January 14 and 15, 2020
Bike riders On the first two days in Turkey, I met bike travelers each day. Some of it must have been by coincidence and other could have been due to my desperate energy to meet other people, after a long break in Georgia. The two groups of riders had things in common. They both started in Switzerland, have ridden mostly along the same routes, and they are going eastwards – one group to China, the other to Singapore. They haven’t met each other in person, but...

