So long, Turkey! I learned a lot and had some fun, too. . .

Istanbul, not Constantinople by the Four Lads, circa 1950's

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vankaSlfSr0

Check out this catchy tune, video version on YouTube. Not my fault if it gets stuck in your head. . .

All I know

Is the world needs less fear and more love.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul

Completed in 1616, the Blue Mosque as it is also known, is still in use today and can only be visited when prayers are not in session. Shoes come off, and scarves go on to cover women's heads. The entire floor is carpeted, and the blue tiles on the wall lend to its more informal name.

Hagia Sophia

A 4th Century seat of Eastern Orthodoxy and considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture, this beautiful structure became a mosque in 1453, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, modern day Istanbul. Inside are mosaics from the early Christian eras from 4th-15th Century as well as remnants of Islam. Now the building is a museum for the past 80 years, with a current exhibit on master calligraphers.

Whirling Dervishes

I was fortunate to be able to attend a Sema ceremony and Sufi Music concert. Sufi whirling or spinning is a form of physically active meditation, still practiced by the Melevi order of Islam. The idea is to reach the source of all perfection through the music, motion and focusing on God. The tall hat represents the tombstone of the ego and the wide white skirt represents the ego's shroud. While whirling, arms are open, right hand directed to the sky, and left hand toward earth. The dancer, called a semazen, revolves from right to left around the heart, embracing all humanity with Love.

Nice!

Istanbul Spring

A beautiful first day in Istanbul, with walking weather in abundance, dolphins jumping in the Bosphorus, the strait that splits city between the continents of Europe and Asia. Beautiful mosques, tulips and multiple offers for tea . . .

Egypt, for a few hours

Just landed Cairo, taking off soon. The view from the EgyptAir/Star Alliance lounge. I'll be back!

From Kashmir, with love

What trip to India would be complete without a little souvenir? This is my new friend Mira, who I actually met in Bangkok . . . Anyway, we talked for hours, and then I brought a rug.

Marketplace Mumbai

These are the favorite market spots of the day, selling mangoes, spices, small animals, and just about everything else! Of course, price is negotiable . . .

Ghandi's House, girl power

Touring the home where the Indian revolutionary leader worked when he was Mumbai was a great history lesson. A library, book room, and quaint diorama that my digitally ravaged mind scoffed at initially was the teaching tool of his life and the struggle of a nation. Later in the day, I visited the Hare Krishna temple, as well. But these school girls who were coming through the museum just after reading the following quote made the perfect impression to share.

Mumbai Dhobi Ghat

This is a well known open air laundromat. The washers, locally known as Dhobis, work in the open to wash the clothes from Mumbai's hotels and hospitals. First stop in a very busy day!

Happiness, Long Life

When the Buddhist monk placed this string on my wrist, she said, "pray for happiness, long life." At first, I would take it off at night, being a Sagittarius and all, not wanting additional constraints; but now as I leave Thailand, land of a thousand smiles, and head to India, I'm sort of getting used to it just being there. And I keep hearing her words when I look at it.

The weather in Southeast Asia has been, well, steamy. Its changing from dry season to wet season and the ocean breeze has been the only real consolation. What's wrong with spending the day at the beach and getting an open air Thai massage while listening to the waves crash? Absolutely nothing.

So, goodbye Kingdom of Thailand, hello Republic of India. Looking forward to a Hindu blessing, if I am so lucky.

Phi Phi, Pho, Phun

Phuket (pronounced poo-KET) has become a very popular tourist destination in the past 20 years, and the Phi-Phi (peepee) Islands were made famous by Hollywood as well. This morning's early bird tour to the islands was highlighted with a big SPLASH over the bow of Simba III, tossing bananas to monkeys sitting trees, and seeing angelfish while snorkeling. This area was impacted by a Tsunami in 2004, the worst natural disaster Thailand has experienced, but has made a good comeback since.

Bangkok Nature Relief

These splendid pink and white orchids growing on the top of the hotel in Bangkok were a favorite view every morning against the skyline. And on the ground, this "spirt tree" had survived development and offered respite from the urban scene on the hotel grounds.

On to the island of Phuket!

Evening Cruise along the Chao Praya River

So Elvis Presley isn't really dead! He's singing on a dinner cruise boat in Bangkok. There is a healthy love for the American legend in Asia, and this evening was no exception. Here are some sights along the way, Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn, and the stunning Rama VIII Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge. Construction of the bridge took place from 1999 to 2002. Asymmetrical in design, a single pylon in an inverted Y shape located on the western bank of the river holds eighty-four cables. The bridge has a main span of 300 meters (980 ft), and was one of the world's largest asymmetrical cable-stayed bridges at the time of its completion. Asymmetrical totally works for Bangkok!

Parting thoughts from Cambodia

100 degrees . . . Except at night in my hotel room or when riding the tuk-tuk.

Thank you Vibol and Mr. Ramorn. Thank you to the wonderful staff of the Sayana Angkor Hotel & Spa. My visit to Cambodia was excellent because of you.

Riding on the Elephant around Angkor Tom and people taking pictures of smiling, yellow haired me, one Asian man shouting "you are the queen!"

Sitting in the night market in the "fish massage" with Buddhist monks from Thailand and a Korean family. We were all laughing so hard we cried as the little fish tickled and nibbled on the dead skin on our feet and legs, the wife asked to have our picture taken together. I'm sorry I did not have mine, but I will remember this for the rest of my life.

Learning to count in Khmer: moi, be, bi, boin, prahm.

Drinking fresh green coconut juice. I remember as a little girl wanting to buy a coconut from the store, and Mom finally caved. I think it took 2 hours to break open. The girl in the picture was chopping through one every 15 seconds.

Thank you Cambodia. You have my heart.

Tuk-tuk fun

Mr Ramorn, in the pink shirt, has been my tuk-tuk driver now for 3 days and has taken any concern out of the navigation end of things, and has granted any destination wish. Today we stopped by a sugar palm stand where the woman was boiling down the parts of the plant for sugar cubes for tea or coffee.

The ride today was 37 km north of Siem Reap,and although air conditioned cars were available for hire, I much prefer the slower, open air of the tuk-tuk.

New friends, new scarves

I had a hard time resisting the charm, er persistence, of the dozen girls who adopted me this afternoon at a temple site a little further out from the center of Angkor Archaeological Park, less visited and eager for the trade. I couldn't say no to any of them so, Easter Scarves it is!

Happy Easter from Cambodia

Angkor Temples Day 2

Some of my favorites pictures of the day. My guide Vibol made me do the jump, he promised me it would look good. He has a great sense of humor and is an excellent photographer! After another delicious Khmer Kitchen Salad with fish (water lily, mint, basil, carrots, and some I'm not really sure), it was back to the hammocks. I was caught in a little extra curricular kissing again, too.

The mostly young people working in the service industry here are eager to converse in English. Everyone I have met here has been extremely gracious, happy and polite.

Cambodia

Kissing the Buddha at Angkor Wat is encouraged! It was a HOT day, and my guide Vibol and I spent an hour after lunch the best way to pass the hottest hours; in a hammock in the shade. Here are a few of the favorite sights of the day.