bucket list

The Travel Wishlist: Cappadocia, Turkey

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Cappadocia, TurkeyCappadocia (Turkish: Kapadokya; Greek: Καππαδοκία Kappadokía) is a historical region in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The name is traditionally used to represent and define a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterised by fairy chimneys and a unique historical, cultural and geological heritage. The region is located south-west of the major city Kayseri, and important settlements in the area include: Ürgüp, Göreme, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Güzelyurt, Uchisar, Avanos and Zelve. Göreme National Park and the rock sites of Cappadocia are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cappadocia is in the Top Ten of places I would love to visit in Turkey. The view pictured above, taken from a hot air balloon, is absolutely breathtaking. I am very interested in natural landscapes, especially those with intriguing geological formations, and Cappadocia satiates that fascination.

One day!

~Jess

The Travel Wishlist: Samarqand, Uzbekistan

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Samarqand, Uzbekistan

Samarqand (Uzbek Cyrillic: Самарқанд; Russian: Самарканд)
alternatively Samarkand, is one of the largest cities in Uzbekistan. The city is notable for being in a central position on the Silk Road between China and the West, and an Islamic centre for scholarly study. It boasts many significant landmarks, including Registan square (pictured above) which was the ancient centre of the city. Samarqand has carefully preserved the traditions of ancient crafts: embroidery, silk weaving, copper engravings, ceramics, carving and wood paintings.

Samarqand, what a beautiful looking place. It’s the architecture that particularly interests me, with the decorated sandstone and the minarets with all the different colours. I think visiting here would really make me feel like I had stepped back in time.

Shahrizoda (Uzbek music group that I like) has a song called ‘Samarqandcha‘ which is all about three princes of Samarqand that are playful and charming!

~Jess

The Travel Wishlist: Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

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Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Mostar (Cyrillic: Мостар) is a city in southern Bosnia & Herzegovina. The city is famous for Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstruction of a 16th century Ottoman bridge. It stood for 427 years before it was destroyed in November 1993 by Croatian forces during the Croat-Bosniak War. It was fully reconstructed in the years proceeding and the rebuilt bridge opened on 23rd July 2004. The magnificent structure connects two parts of the city over the turquoise waters of the river Neretva.

I found out about Mostar through Australian comedians Hamish Blake and Andy Lee. In Hamish and Andy’s Euro Gap Year (2012), they accepted the challenge to jump off the 21-metre high bridge in the very first episode! The scenery was just stunning, and I fell in love with it.

So, consider Mostar the first place on my ‘The Travel Wishlist’ series! I hope to update this one quite often.

~Jess