Turkey – Ankara & Bolu (I Conquered Turkey)

Routing out of Cappadocia, the first stop for the day, supposedly another knowledge thirsting visit, when it actual fact the catch was another marketing and sales gimmick (Cappadocia Turkey). No doubt, sincerely, this visit of ours in Hanem Arts Centre, in all fairness, I must say did expose us on semi-precious and precious as Nava K gemstones from beneath Turkey. (Canakkale/Kusadasi/ Pamukkale & Istanbul) Honestly, we did gather some knowledge on how stones are carefully harvested and cut-shined-polished, thereafter either sold as individual pieces or mounted in/on jewelries. The best part of it all was that there’s no hold barred to picturing. Yes, you can put your phone or camera to use compared  to those outlets I have visited in other countries (Krabi Thailand, Perth Australia & Bangkok Thailand). Took me by surprise until I made it a point for checking with the staff. He reaffirmed it. Such an unorthodox liberal business think-tank I believe must be looked up at. Respect and thumbs up to these people. Having said that, no matter what, I am not gamed for precious gems. Not at all. Unsure I am if the rest bought, but I can vouch that all of us did marvel over those impressive glittering gems.   

Sardine Varuval (Dry Style)

Ingredients

1 big can of sardines - drain off the sauce
1 inch ginger - chopped/sliced
1 red onion - chopped/sliced
4 garlic - chopped/sliced
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp plain chilli powder
Lime juice - as needed
2 sprigs curry leaves
2 sprigs spring onion - sliced thinly
Salt for taste
2 tbsp of oil

Method

Saute ginger, onion, garlic and curry leaves in oil.

Add sardines with chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt.

Fry over high heat and break sardines into smaller pieces.

Add lime juice and spring onion.

Stir again and dish out.

Kuih Sagu Kukus (Steamed Sago Cake)

Ingredients
200g/1 packet sago - soak in water for about an hour. In between rinse two or three times and drain off the water
4 to 5 pandan/screwpine leaves
2 1/2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cornflour (to bind sago together)
Fresh grated coconut - as needed
Pinch of salt

Method
Blend/process pandan leaves with half cup of water.
Strain to extract the juice.
Pour into soaked sago.
Set aside for half an hour - to color and scent the sago.
Drain off the juice,
Gently mix sago with sugar and cornflour.
Pour into a lightly oiled baking tray/pan.
Steam till sago is translucent.
Remove from steamer and carefully cut into pieces.

Roll over coconut mixed with a pinch of salt.

Turkey - Cappadocia (I Conquered Turkey)

How did this day go by? Pretty much a day taken up by road travelling. Right after breakfast and till we arrived late evening in Cappadocia ( Canakkale/Kusadasi/Pamukkale  & Istanbul Turkey ). Of course loo and meal breaks were not compromised, thanks to our pleasant tour guide who made it a point in enlivening us by sharing his knowledge on Turkey. This adorable guide also gave us a five minutes quickie break at the roadside where by right stopping is not allowed, but he still went ahead since we couldn't contain our excitement of seeing snow for the first time. I made sure a candid shot of me snow playing was captured, and within the next jiffy, we dashed back into the coach. 

Canakkale/Kusadasi/Pamukkale - I Conquered Turkey

On the same day itself, by 5.00pm (I Conquered Istanbul) we journeyed to Canakkale. Quite a long tiring journey, imagine sitting put in the coach for approximately 5 hours? Basically, patiently journeying and none else. None potentially, neither can you see anything outside because, believe me when I say that winter darkness will set it latest by 6.00pm, In fact even earlier. Wish there are internal flights in Turkey for flying us from one city to the other, hopefully there will be in the near future, but I guess for the time being, you don't have much choice except coach driven or if you self touring, you may consider hiring a car. This coach driven I think is sincerely a whole lot better because it does ease you from tiring yourself for no apparent reason and if you are sleeping beauty, better still. Some people I know can literally shut down anywhere, not me though. I did catnap in between, movie watching was also going on and tour guide did try to keep us entertained by speaking for the first half an hour. 

Istanbul, Turkey - I Conquered Istanbul (Part 1)

One of the things I learned about this whole composite of globe seeing is that I have so little tolerance for people who just simply must complain about everything and anything under the sun while travelling. In fact, I am yet to bump into someone who actually can be, lets not expect perfection, but even an adaptable travel companion is really hard to come by. Everyone I have traveled with before, somehow or rather, end up showing their ugly colours. Some really must branded as pathetic stingy idiots, whereas others, sorry guys, I have call them hard-core bitches. I guess the more we companionship travel, the more we discover different peculiar characters and behaviours. What else is new? Experiences without a doubt are major lessons to life. Trust me, I have already gathered suitcases of it by my fifties (Hanoi Vietnam). Additionally, I must thank those who post loving friendship travelling pictures on social media, yet in return, they do, wonder why, call me thereafter for massively bitching about travelling friendship disasters. Reality versus fake social media world. Indeed, the truth is out there, maybe some just refuse to accept. Travelling with family, let me warn you can be worse than hammer house of horror. Logically why I will stick to travelling on my own, now and forever (Chonburi & Pattaya - My Solo Trail). 

Mee Siam Kuah/Gravy (Vegetarian)

Anything is possible these days. Of course. I'm not in denial by the way that anything can be a matter even for food intake. In fact, considering that many are jumping into the back wagon of being a vegetarian, only god knows why, Indians on the whole we shouldn't speak about, there are many possibilities to a vegetarian meal these days. What about me, are you asking? Neh! Never have I thought of being a full blown vegetarian (Maggi Goreng Mamak & Mee Rebus Vegetarian). Of course every now and then, in fact every once a week, I am in the making. The making of a vegetarian meal (Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup & Mee Rojak Vegetarian) for my other half-half, and me, I can basically go with the flow. Out came this Mee Siam Kuah/Gravy Vegetarian on this particular Saturday from my kitchen and to our dining table. Mee Siam? I have already spoken about before (Nyonya Mee Siam, Singapore Mee Siam & Mee Siam)? I did. Mee Siam Vegetarian? Nothing is short coming or going. Still a delightful and really slurpy delicious, complete wholesome meal. Oh, for those of you who are anti-egg vegetarian, ditch egg aside and Mee Siam I think must have originated from Thailand? I don't know. You tell me please (Thapthim Krop, Tom Yum Noodle Soup & Siamese Laksa Lemak).