3 days Istanbul  / 2016

Before going to Iraq, I stayed in Istanbul for 2 nights. This is 2nd time to visit Istanbul. 1st visit was 20 years ago in 1996. Today public transportation change wheelchair accessible. So happy !!

Almost all Metro and Tram stations are wheelchair accessible now. Easy to transport from/to airport by Metro and Tram. Airport Metro station shows accessible information.

Wheelchair passengers cannot go through the normal gate. No ticket check to pass the wide special gate. It means wheelchair passengers are free to use.

No gap between platform and train. It is great !!

Transfer station to tram is seamless

Wheelchair accessible public transportation !!.

Blue Mosque accessibility.

Ramp at entrance. Shoeless inside. The stuff covered my wheelchair tire with cellophane tape. Unique idea.

Short break for eating chestnuts.

Ayasofya museum. Wheelchair ramp and wheelchair accessible in some area.

Big dome. Jesus Christ is there. This was church old days. After it became mosque.

Topkapi Palace. I recommend the harem. It is like maze. There is a wheelchair route. Try to go there.

Turkish food is very nice. Tea is national drink. 

Local restaurant " Lokanta ". Cheap price, good quality. Easy to order by finger pointing.

Transit in Istanbul airport. Special care attendant service helped me. They drive power wheelchair for carrying the passengers who cannot walk a long distance.

So many rental car office at new Izumir airport. The number was 15 companies !

Big hospital in Izmir. Many foreigners come here for treatment. We were talking about medical tourism.

New Izmir Metro stations have lifts. I did not use public transportation this time, but it seems wheelchair friendly. There are many pedestrian bridge with lifts on big road. Many lower floor buses run in city.

Gala dinner. Autism guys played traditional Turkish performance. Belly dance show by sexy ladies hiding the face. 

Enjoy music and dance !!

Group photo

Good food in Turkey. Nice dinner. Arabic people include Turkish like sweets very much. 

Fruits shop in Cesme town.  

Dry fruits and sweets. 

Cesme harbor in winter time. Very beautiful sea.  

Late lunch with participants of the international conference. We enjoyed nice seafoods.

Always drink Chai in Turkey.    

1 week rental car  / 1996

When I was traveling in Istanbul, I met 3 Japanese travelers at breakfast restaurant. We decided to rent a car and traveling together to visit Cappadocia and Ankara. That was a good memory. Many nice village, food and local kind people.