31/01/2009

Wintery Scene


This was a few weeks ago now, when there was a lot of snow around. Now the snow has retreated to Uludag, although we will probably have more before the end of winter. The photo was taken looking across from Guzelyalı, where the ferry to Istanbul leaves.

28/01/2009

Who left these simits here?


I couldn't see who was selling them, I'm sure he would come back quickly as soon as a customer came though.

27/01/2009

Korupark Houses


I'm not sure what happened here - everything came out at a funny angle. These are some of Bursa's newest houses, right next to the Korupark shopping centre.

26/01/2009

What does it all mean?


"it means :no to high speed, yes to live our life:....i don't know why they wrote it here on this ,    i think they should have wrote this onto a road sign...maybe they think that it is less expensive to write here ...i mean i can find a reason...if you have any ideas write us a comment...hihihi "

25/01/2009

Bursa chamber of commerce


BTSO is the Bursa chamber of commerce and industry. The main industries here are textile and automotive. Many foreign companies have factories in Bursa, and BTSO has a section devoted to improving ties with Europe and the USA.

24/01/2009

The wind never blows when you want it to


Unfortunately the wind would not blow so that I could get the flag properly. It makes an interesting combination.

23/01/2009

Yes Man


No that's not a man hanging off the side of the shopping mall, it is an advert for Jim Carey's latest film Yes Man. The cinema is up there on the top floor.

22/01/2009

Feeding time


These geese were in a small farm on the edge of Bursa. They were waiting to be fed so it was difficult to photograph them as they kept charging around in different directions, always moving as a group though.

21/01/2009

Baldo Rice


Here in Turkey rice is an important part of cooking. There are several types of rice available but foreign strains like basmati are difficult to find.

19/01/2009

Kat 3


A local band called Retro performing at Kat 3 bar. The name means 'third floor'

18/01/2009

Before the restoration


A piece of old wall next to the newly restored Balibey Han. This is more or less what Balibey Han looked like before the work so you can see what a good job they did.

17/01/2009

Vantage Point


This house must have a good view. It is in the oldest part of Bursa but it has been nicely renovated. The front overlooks the covered market and Ulu Cami.

16/01/2009

Lost in fog


We are getting some wintery weather at the moment. You can just see the roofs of the covered market here through the haze. The domes are quite typical of Ottoman architecture (there are some very similar looking buildings in the centre of Sarajevo). On the right is a corner of the Ulu Camii.

15/01/2009

Great guns


These cannons are also in the Tophane park next to the clock tower. From Tophane you can hear a cannon shot every evening during Ramadan, to mark the end of the fast. I don't know if they use one of these though.

14/01/2009

Souvenirs of warmer weather


Another outdoor cafe is shut for winter. I wonder how long these empty bottles will wait to be sent back and refilled.

12/01/2009

Apolyont Han


The Apolyont Han is right next to the Zafer Plaza and has just been renovated. A lot of small shops and restaurants have opened inside.

11/01/2009

Tophane Clock Tower


Tophane is situated on a small hill overlooking Bursa, and it is where this view over Bursa was taken from. The Tophane clock tower is in the Tophane park, and dates from 1906.

10/01/2009

Ipek Han


This is the section of the covered market which was dedicated to silk in the past (ipek means silk). Here they were selling the finished goods, as opposed to the Koza Han which is where the silk cocoons were traded. Today the Koza Han is more known as the silk market.

09/01/2009

Snow on the hills


Another view from Yeşil, where you can see the snow has reached the hills just above Bursa. Up on Uludağ there is plenty of snow and the skiing season has already started apparently.

08/01/2009

Giant Billboard


This is the Zafer Plaza, the first Western style shopping centre to appear in Bursa. The glass pyramid makes quite a contrast with the old buildings which surround it. Especially at the moment while it seems to be used for an advertising campaign.

07/01/2009

Closed for now


There aren't many takers for sitting outside at the moment. But that gives an opportunity to admire the beautiful tables.

06/01/2009

Inside Yesil Mosque


The Yeşil Cami (Green Mosque) is very atmospheric inside. This is a detail of the ceiling and below there are some beautiful green / blue tiles. The hanging chandeliers give a lovely light.

05/01/2009

Rice and chick peas


These stalls selling rice and chick pea snacks can be found in various places around Bursa. I think it might be a winter speciality because I don't remember seeing them at other times.