Generally, tourists stick out. This is no less true for Eastern Turkey, or what we call ‘The Other Side’. Not only did we stick out due to its quiet tourist stream, but The Other Side of Turkey is more remote, higher in altitude, therefore a little more extreme, older in antiquity and arguably more beautiful than the more well-known Western-side of Turkey. This Tale depicts The Other Side:

Trail Running in Mount Kaçkar National Park (12 km; 2286m to 2875m).

Ani Ruins, situated on the Turkey/Armenia border: a mix of antiquitus cultures from 3000 BC – Urartu to Christian to Ottoman.

Mount Ararat, 5129 metres above sea level – resting place of Noah’s Ark (Genesis 8:4).

Lake Van. At 1700 metres above sea level, this lake is home to the island of Akdamar and its famous 10th Century Armenian Cathedral.

On the other side of Turkey is a small country called Georgia – we spent some time in the city of Batumi along the Black Sea coast.

Locals of Turkey’s Other Side – some of the most friendly, humble and hospitable people we have met.

Another side of Istanbul, Turkey.

Sojourning so far.

"He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." – Colossians 1:15-17 (brackets added)