Istanbul, a love-hate relationship (part 1)

First of all, allow me to state I am desperately in love with Turkey, and Istanbul in particular.

However, apart from being among the most magnificent and fascinating places I toured on my way back from Central Asia, Istanbul is also the place where I learned one of the toughest lessons of my life.

A day in paradise - Lake Van, Turkey

Notwithstanding having risked to be jailed for smuggling on my way from Iran to Turkey, I finally reached Van. I managed to reach it safe and free, I mean.