Comments on abufares said...the world according to a tartoussi: The Man Who Fell On Mersin

thank you mirdifderyai really loved mersin an had ...

2007-08-24T20:23:00.000+03:00

thank you mirdifderya
i really loved mersin an had a great and relaxing time there with my family.
i intend to return to turkey, hopefully one coming summer.

Nice to hear nice things about my city of Mersin w...

2007-08-24T20:12:00.000+03:00

Nice to hear nice things about my city of Mersin where I come from, just left the city came back to Dubai (another expat who lives abroad).

That the pedestrian-only by the sea contunuies about 5km, yes unfortunitly not many Turkish people can speak English or Arabic, I did lived in Damascus as well as, many middle eastern cities.

Please do come back to Turkey there lot more to Explore:)

Hi KarinI'm so happy to hear from you and would ce...

2007-08-13T14:35:00.000+03:00

Hi Karin
I'm so happy to hear from you and would certainly follow your advise on Istanbul.
Vacation... Ahhh, it's already in the past. I'm back to reality.

SO GREAT you all hat a wonderful time - and that y...

2007-08-13T07:23:00.000+03:00

SO GREAT you all hat a wonderful time - and that you returned safely!! I've been three times to Turkey and - besides of the "ONLY-for-tourist-places - love it very much! I can only urge you to make it to Istambul - it is an absolutely fascinating city you MUST see! Another tip is Konya, the center of the Derwishes as well as a fantastic place to buy clothes and other articles from leather! if history fascinates you as much as it does me, don't miss Asklepeion and Pergamon ... south of Istambul!

I love travelling by boat (never fed the fish!!) ... as much as I love to fly!

I forgot already what the word "vacation" really means .. I'm alright though!

thank you abu fares :)I will try my best to get a ...

2007-08-12T18:31:00.000+03:00

thank you abu fares :)

I will try my best to get a hold of the book. Once i finish my never ending "to-read" list.

KinanI have recently learned that there is a new v...

2007-08-12T12:07:00.000+03:00

Kinan
I have recently learned that there is a new version of the movie being shot right now. I can't wait for its release although it will be very hard to top Bowie's performance.

Hi Kinan"The Man Who Fell to Earth" is a 1963 nov...

2007-08-12T12:04:00.000+03:00

Hi Kinan
"The Man Who Fell to Earth" is a 1963 novel by walter Tevis. It depicts the life of an extraterrestrial humanoid who landed on earth on a one way flight to save his own people on Anthea from extinction. It's a master piece of modern literature and I recommend it as a must reading. In 1976, David Bowie made his movie debut and starred as T J Newton (the extraterrestrial) in what had later become a monumental film with a huge cult following. There are some fundamental differences between the novel and the movie but both are great and highly recommended.
By the way, this is my third reading of the book. Once you read and watch it, please give us your insight.

Welcome back abu fares, you have been missed :) We...

2007-08-12T11:31:00.000+03:00

Welcome back abu fares, you have been missed :)

We all need a break of the hustle and bustle of our daily routines every once in a while. Glad you enjoyed your time with your family :)

Good to have you back. Btw, could you tell us more about this book you're reading?! ;)

Hi ArimaIstanbul it is. Next time hopefully.The fe...

2007-08-11T16:44:00.000+03:00

Hi Arima
Istanbul it is. Next time hopefully.
The ferry boat is between Lattakia & Mersin from July to August if I'm not mistaken. The round trip fare is US$118 for adults and US$50 for children under 12.
It's rather a boring ride although the speed, if you get on the upper deck of the catamaran, is exhilirating. It was a matter of convenience that's all. Still, next time, I'd rather have my car so that we can go places (assuming I have a longer vacation).

Hello KayaI thought you already knew that I hate t...

2007-08-11T16:39:00.000+03:00

Hello Kaya
I thought you already knew that I hate taxis and busses. My successful attempt at friendliness with Ugur had an ulterior motive. He helped me with the luggage (although you might not think that I need any help because I exude an aura of masculine power and sex appeal, nevertheless I suffer from almost constant lower back pain - ah, it's another story, one of the those war stories distinguished men like myself use to impress young breainless chicks who might fall for this crap),,, OK where was I, yes, having felt that Ugur is a nice guy, I asked about his name and mobile number, which proved useful eventually. This isn't what you bargained for when you commented, but it so nice to hear from you, I can go on and on...

hamdillah 3la al salama! Hope you had a wonderful ...

2007-08-11T15:56:00.000+03:00

hamdillah 3la al salama! Hope you had a wonderful time...Turkey is so beautiful and you really must go to Istanbul sometime. I didn't realise that there was a boat from Tartous to Mersin....hmmmm maybe next time inshallah.

Hello Abu Fares. It seems you had a good holiday.B...

2007-08-11T15:47:00.000+03:00

Hello Abu Fares. It seems you had a good holiday.
But I must ask. What is it about MEN the minute the get in a TAXI they have to ask name, model, price of car, is it personal car, petrol consumption.....ad nauseam taxi after taxi. Arrrrghhhhh!
I guess its like women at the hairdressers!!!
The sea journey does sound longish, but better than being in a car I think. Because when the kids arent sleeping they r fighting over who's elbow is taking up more space on the arm rest. :D

Hi AmmoontieGlad to see you over. Thank you.

2007-08-11T09:47:00.000+03:00

Hi Ammoontie
Glad to see you over. Thank you.

Hi Gray FoxAhlan BilRjal!Please read my reply to K...

2007-08-11T09:46:00.000+03:00

Hi Gray Fox
Ahlan BilRjal!
Please read my reply to KJ. Unless I want to be a beach bum and do nothing at all this is not the best time to travel. Next month would be just fine. I wish you the best of times and please let us know about it.

Hi KJIt's good to be back.I'm certain that you wou...

2007-08-11T09:44:00.000+03:00

Hi KJ
It's good to be back.
I'm certain that you would enjoy your time in Turkey. Istanbul is my next objective of course. However, August is certainly not the best month for such an adventure. Next year, or whenever the opporunity arises I want to go there either in June or September. There's no point in visiting a beautiful city in this overwhelming heat. The whole point is to walk the streets and take in the essence of the place. So you might be lucky after all. Aim for Sep. or better yet Oct. if you can.

Glad to hear that you have had an enjoyable family...

2007-08-11T06:01:00.000+03:00

Glad to hear that you have had an enjoyable family vacation.

Welcome back sheikh el shabab ,well your post came...

2007-08-11T00:22:00.000+03:00

Welcome back sheikh el shabab ,
well your post came right on time , i'm planning a trip to turkey next month so thank you for the awesome guide and the in-advance trip :P

El7amdella 3al salameh Abu Fares and welcome back!...

2007-08-10T18:20:00.000+03:00

El7amdella 3al salameh Abu Fares and welcome back!

I am very pleased to hear that you have enjoyed your holiday in Turkey, admittedly with a slight hint of jealousy as my trip to Turkey with my cousin, the other Kinan, has been cancelled due to my company not giving me a holiday.

In any case, we must make certain that for the next holiday we all go to Istanbul. Kinan and I have now a solid idea of the best places to sleep over, to dine in, and to experience some unspeakable yet novel things.

Dubai JazzFor Om Fares & the kids, the worst part ...

2007-08-10T15:01:00.000+03:00

Dubai Jazz
For Om Fares & the kids, the worst part of the journey was the sea journey. For me, it was just a convenient way to get from point A to point B.
I would never even consider making this journey in a bus. I hate busses so much.
I'm more than willing to travel Turkey in my own car though. With careful planning, and a couple of weeks to spend, it will be a most interesting visit.

Syrian BritWe've both missed our chance to meet th...

2007-08-10T14:58:00.000+03:00

Syrian Brit
We've both missed our chance to meet this time. Please don't make a habit out of it.
Can't wait to hear all about your homecoming to Damascus, of course in your very own pleasant words.

ChamYou have to take my word for it, but when I wa...

2007-08-10T14:57:00.000+03:00

Cham
You have to take my word for it, but when I was as old as you (and almost as sexy) I slept in far worse places than hostels.
Anyway, you're right, I always felt that life is unfair to the young. As for the old, it just sucks.

Hi YazanFamily vacations are like boot camps. You ...

2007-08-10T14:54:00.000+03:00

Hi Yazan
Family vacations are like boot camps. You have to get back to basics as far as the idea of fun is concerned.
And, this, my friend, requires a lot of skill and more importantly, patience.

al hamdillah 3la al salameh Abu Fares, welcome bac...

2007-08-10T14:27:00.000+03:00

al hamdillah 3la al salameh Abu Fares, welcome back :)

I am glad you were able to extricate yourself from work commitments, albeit for a week.

I didn't actually know there is a ferry service between Lattakia and Mersin, I've always envisaged that my long-awaited trip to Turkey would only be on a bus. It's good to have an alternative, although seaworthiness is a question. (not the ferry's seaworthiness but mine! .... yes, I have a sea-nausea)..

Anyway, again I am glad to see you've re-energized, hope things will be better and smooth at work...

Welcome back, Abu Fares..Having, myself, just retu...

2007-08-10T12:53:00.000+03:00

Welcome back, Abu Fares..
Having, myself, just returned from holiday only three days ago, I assure you that all the therapeutic effects have already evaporated.. The expanded waistline will take much longer!!.. I will write about my holiday very soon, I hope..
A return trip to Turkey is a must.. I recommend Istanbul unreservedly..

Lakan ya 3ammi; nass bitnam bil hostel w nass bitn...

2007-08-10T12:49:00.000+03:00

Lakan ya 3ammi; nass bitnam bil hostel w nass bitnam bil Hilton!
Sounds nice hal Marsin, and you're so right; it is better when a city is untouched by touristic flavor, unlike old Istanbul.

Did you have Iskandar kabab? :D
Apple tea?

Welcome back ya abu fares!