Category: travel

travel, Turkey1 Comment

Ayvalık – Turkey’s Olive Riviera

aylinalpustun

It was the first time I had been to Ayvalık , literally “quince orchard”,  off-season.  Only about 120 km from my hometown of Izmir, I used to frequent this small fishing town of 30,000 for delicious seafood lunches on Sundays during the spring months.  It dawned on me that I had not set foot in Ayvalık since moving to Istanbul in 2006. In reality what started out to be a day business trip from Istanbul, coupled into being a delicacies shopping fest. After contemplating with my colleagues which mode of transport to use, the unanimous decision was the comfort of … Continue reading Ayvalık – Turkey’s Olive Riviera

ParisLeave a comment

Paris observed through a friend’s camera and my guidance

aylinalpustun

I am one of the luckier souls for being extended the opportunity to travel to Paris for work. Each and everytime I set foot in that very alluring city I fall in love with it all over again. I was thrilled but at the same time skeptical on giving advice to a colleague, who an adventurer himself was curiously enough setting foot in Paris for the first time, on what not to miss out. Off for a two day business trip, with only the late afternoons to spare for himself, I was confused on how to compile the Paris to-do … Continue reading Paris observed through a friend’s camera and my guidance

travel, UruguayLeave a comment

My Montevideo picture book

aylinalpustun

I had scant idea how much I would enjoy Uruguay when I decided to explore it for a week during my mini South America tour. I merely had two pieces of solid information about this delightful little country. First was that the distinguished novelist, Onetti, who apparently had fled his home country after a 6 month imprisonment in a mental institution was Uruguayan, the second was Uruguay’s strength as a solid soccer competitor. For a solo female traveler like myself, I can say it is one of the safest and peaceful countries in Latin America and simply a corner in … Continue reading My Montevideo picture book

travel5 Comments

Chan Chan – a charming Peruvian restaurant in Buenos Aires

aylinalpustun

Ever since I read an article on the Peruvian-born mysterious and somewhat peculiar author Castañeda a few years back as well as the desire to conquer Machu Picchu for some years now, I have been longing to visit Peru.  I am still reading extensively on the Incas and this  beautiful country full of fascinating cultures to gain enough insight before I take a trip to discover all the treasures for myself During my ten day October 2013 vacation in Buenos Aires, searching for alternatives to the fantastic “parillas” around town (yes, they serve the tastiest meat dishes),  I was delighted … Continue reading Chan Chan – a charming Peruvian restaurant in Buenos Aires

travel8 Comments

hello world!

aylinalpustun

This blog has come into existence with the encouragement and constant nagging of three very special women – my mum who is my best travel companion, my marvelous friend Selda who has been a great influence in shaping my banking career for the last 20 years and my very dear friend Hela from college. I am one of the luckiest souls in the world to have had the opportunity to travel so much, discover great destinations, meet wonderful people and amass amazing experiences.  Curiosity has led me to hidden places, popular destinations, opera houses, musicals, theatres, museums,  book readings, wine … Continue reading hello world!