On board for Istanbul!

 

 

 

Pre-Babylonian tell. This site used to have the palace and the temple of the Kingdom of Urartu that ruled the ancient world. 

 

I am in the Van Museum in the close vicinity of the Tell. 

Ancient stela with cuneiform letters! Very interesting!

 

 

The first Van breakfast for our lunch.

 

 

The golden statue of Van coffee-maker is perhaps the origin of the Bialetti expresso maker.

 

 

This is the most famous restaurant in Van, in which I need an interpreter to order my dish. People here love someone bearded, but they often do not speak English.

 

 

 

 

This picture speaks volumes. One on the far right is the famous Van cat. The Lake Van, Armenian monastery in ruins on the island in the lake Van....

 

 

 

 

A Kurdish musical instrument, Tanboor!

 

 

Ayran became my favorite drink. It is a mix of Yogurt and water.

 

 

The artistic shape of the street lighting impressed me.

 

 

Jesus in mosaic done by a local Christian artist.

 

 

A part of Turkish desserts. 

 

 

These are what we ordered at this Turkish dessert restaurant. 

 

 

On the viewpoint looking down the Lake Van.