thank you & happy new year

Friends, CDP members, visitors; this photoblog was one of my resolutions last year and thanks to you, it turned in to the most motivating new year's resolution to keep.

This is priceless and I would like to thank all of you personally for appreciating the things that caught my eye.

May you all have a great year...

Selim

luminous times

Stripes of contrasting new year's colors.

luminous times

A large gathering of Christmas luminaries...

luminous times

Merry Christmas, everybody! May your days be filled with love and light...

fishermen

Çiftlikköy, Çeşme, İzmir

The two are better than the one...

*I'll be in Istanbul till Wednesday; will try to post from there.

lone boat

Great place and time to enjoy the view...

survivor

Bornova, Izmir

Rural farming in the middle of the city.

safe zone

Nazarköy Village, Kemalpasa, Izmir

A wall tile detail from a house in the village made up of traditional Evil Eye Beads.

nazarköy

Nazarköy Village, Kemalpasa, Izmir

The making of handcrafted "Evil Eye Bead" today in a traditional way at Nazarköy village.

diner

Karaburun, Izmir

One of the small restaurants on the waterfront where you can eat fresh seafood.

envelope

Experimenting with different textures continues...

neck

Experimenting with different textures...

curves

Like two different worlds...

a bright day

Kitchenette, Izmir

It was a bright and rainy morning on Sunday; we had a satisfying breakfast at the beginning of a long, whole week holiday.

by the sea

Ciftlikkoy, Cesme, Izmir
Quiet and peaceful, yet only fifty minutes from the city center...

in forest

Walking among the tall trees...

good mood

Karsiyaka, Izmir

Walking along the Karsiyaka promenade, refreshing breeze helps to recover...

kinetic landscape

Cesme, Izmir

MyFourThirds.com is a photographic community where owners of Four Thirds camera equipment can share their very best photos for review by other members. Besides rating and commenting other member's images and writing articles, users can participate in photo competitions every month.

November 2008 competition theme was "Out of the Box": In trying to get the members to shoot a different style of photography, photo entries must be in the style of someone else's photos (I've chosen Horst Schmier's style for my entry) .

I am so happy for winning an extremely close race together with Jyh-Lurn Chang in the November competition with above image.

the gate

Karsiyaka, Izmir

A scene from one of the elements of Human Rights Memorial done by painter and sculptor Bihrat Mavitan in 1992.

along the promenade

Kordonboyu, Izmir

It's a popular spot for fishers in the early morning.

heal by sea

Cesme, Izmir

Here I feel much better now.

ray of light

Cesme, Izmir

And I feel like I just got home...

bus stop

Talatpasa Boulevard, Izmir

Just missed the bus, waiting for another...

another morning

Early start time at the Port of Izmir.

end of the night

Grande Place, Brussels

My time was short, just a night, but well spent.

cliché

Manneken Pis : Brussles' pissing little man

A must-see for anyone visiting Brussels.

brussels by night

Grande Place, Brussels

Glad I followed signposts to La Grand Place and saw probably, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.

cityscape

Dome of Brussels Palace of Justice

While walking on Avenue de la Toison d'Or, I noticed a giant wooden installation "CITYSCAPE" by Belgian artist Arne Quinze. From a distance, bilateral relation between another notable landmark of Brussels, The Law Courts building, which is under a massive restoration, was interesting.

city lights?

Unfortunately I couldn't get a visitor's view of the Brussels yet. But content myself with the inner view of my hotel.

cup of coffee

Model: Muhlis

One more cup of coffee for the road.

I had to take another business trip to Brussels for a couple of days. Hope I will be able to take photos and blog from there...

happy face

A sincere smile brings goodness to life...

foggy road

Nice to drive when the fog comes on roads, but still be more carefull...

old faithful

Odemis, district of Izmir

It does have something that a newer bike doesn't...

tough guys

Yıldızburnu, Cesme, Izmir

Fishing is a hard job, but somebody's gotta do it.

joy

Cesme, Izmir

Try to find joy in little things. Have a great weekend!

light

Kemeralti, Izmir

Can you see signs of hope for the future after a long period of difficulty?

other side

Karaburun, Izmir

These two trees probably have had very different experiences.

flying at sunset

A real joy to view...

freedom

Is there such a thing as limited freedom?

lighthouse

Karaburun, Izmir

Everyone needs a good guide to help them achieve their goals.

parade

Kordonboyu, Izmir

Yesterday, during the republic day celebrations, children watch as parade participants march past...

republic day

Kordonboyu, Izmir

85 years ago today, on October 29, 1923, the Turkish constitution was amended and Turkey became a republic. Every year on this day, the founding of the independent republic is remembered throughout the country.

In Izmir, the spectacular celebrations include the march past of armed forces, massive parades, fireworks and air force flyby.

give it a rest

Upper floor of Sailor's Meydan Hotel in Alacati, Cesme

We all need to catch our breath sometimes...

blogger/blogspot hosting service ban seems to have ended in Turkey.

Thanks so much for great support and concern my blogger friends!

friendship

They are there to lend you a helping hand, they don't ask for anything in return...

confused

Mixed with reactions of surprise, deep disappointment and concern...

morning breeze

The stillness of the new morning was broken only by the sound of soft breeze...

summer memories

Summer is a good time to make memories...

BFFA

A good friend and a very talented allround artist Blognote just surprised and honored me with "Blogging Friends Forever Award". Thank you so much Diederick...

Now it is my turn to give the award to five other bloggers according to following rules:

1. Only five people are allowed

2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog

3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world

4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award

Well, I would like to present the same award, although it's very hard to select only five:

Petrea

Barbara

Ann

Jilly

Julie

breakfast time

Gundogdu Square, Izmir

Birds should be fed daily and during severe weather, twice-a-day feeding is often...

the visit

Konak Metro Station, Izmir

I wondered what the ambiance will be like, so excited when I saw my photo up there.