Turkey, a place like no other
Words: Tous Mag | Image Credits: © The Couple with a Camera |
Around July of 2019, adventure seekers Jenn & Jonny quit their full-time jobs to travel the globe with nothing other than a couple of backpacks and their most prized possession, a camera. Their wandering has led them to sleeping under the stars in a Jordanian desert, to diving with whale sharks off the coast of Thailand.
Travelling can be exhausting at the best of times, not least when it’s your everyday. On a daily mission to soak in the world’s beauty and culture, some of their favourite moments can be shared in the few minutes before and after the sun peaks over the horizon because no matter where in the world they are, when everybody is still asleep, they can experience a moment of splendour all to themselves.
Tous Mag spoke with the travelling duo @thecouplewithacamera about their breath-taking 10 day trip to Turkey, a trip that surpassed all of their expectations. Whether you’re discovering the crystal clear, mineral-rich waters on top of a mountain of calcium deposits in Pamukkale, also known as Cotton Castle, to watching hot air balloons fill the sky in Cappadocia - or admiring the architecture in Istanbul - this unique and diverse country offers endless opportunities to experience some true magic. Read the full interview, below!
Tous Mag: What brought you both together?
J&J: We’re two Canadians that started sharing our passion for adventure online under the name ‘The Couple with a Camera’. We met almost 5 years ago on a dating app and have been inseparable ever since. We both caught the travel bug from a very young age and have, since, been hopelessly addicted. We are based in Toronto, however, we’ve had the pleasure to travel to beautiful destinations around the world.
Tous Mag: What inspires you to travel the world?
J&J: Where do we even begin? We travel to explore, to step outside our comfort zones and shake things up! We travel to experience new cultures, to meet new people and discover our differences and similarities. We explore because we are curious. We travel to feel alive!
Tous Mag: How long were you in Turkey for and where did you visit?
J&J: Our time in Turkey was short, however, this trip will forever be implanted in our memories. Our 10-day trip started off by exploring the beautiful streets of Istanbul and embracing Turkish culture. We then made our way to the breathtaking Cappadocia, where we watched in awe as hot air balloons filled the morning skies. From there we headed down to the coastal town of Antalya which had an amazing mixture of ancient history and a modern city feel. Finally, before making our way to Izmir, to catch our flight out, we squeezed in a last-minute stop in Pamukkale - also known as Cotton Castle - to take a dip in the cascading hot springs.
Tous Mag: Did you see all the sights you’d hoped for, or were there some that fell down the list?
J&J: Turkey is a large country, filled with so much to see and do. Unfortunately, because our time there was short, we weren’t able to experience it all. However, this just gives us even more reason to return to Turkey! We would have loved to spend more time in coastal towns, like Marmaris and Bodrum, and visiting the North Anatolian Mountains is definitely on our list.
Tous Mag: What was your experience of food and drink? Enlighten our senses for us!
J&J: From the fresh corn being roasted on the side of the road to walking through the spice markets, or enjoying some amazing traditional Turkish food, our time there was filled with amazing smells and delicious eats. You definitely won’t go hungry in Turkey, that’s for certain. Some highlight meals included the vegetable dolmas, piyaz, mercimek kofte, and of course Turkish simit which is a type of bagel encrusted with sesame seeds and is incredibly tasty!
Tous Mag: Were there any downfalls to your trip?
J&J: The only negative we have about visiting Turkey is that we didn’t stay longer! Turkey is bursting with amazing people, lively culture, and gorgeous landscapes. From its crystal-clear waters, to tall mountain ranges, from its small villages, to huge cosmopolitan cities — this country really stole our hearts. It is truly like no other!
Tous Mag: What was it about Turkey that made you want to visit, and did it meet those expectations?
J&J: Originally, we came to Turkey with little knowledge of the country and even smaller expectations. We had booked it last minute as a short prequel to our Greece trip. We quickly learned we couldn’t have made a bigger mistake! No matter what kind of trip you are looking for, you are sure to find it in Turkey. You can spend your days relaxing in a tropical paradise with turquoise waters in the South, go for adventurous hikes in the forested mountains to the North, or have a romantic getaway in the famous Cappadocia. Turkey far exceeded any expectations we had and is without a doubt one of our favourite countries we have visited.
Tous Mag: Would you change anything about your time there, or is there anything you wish you knew before visiting?
J&J: For the most part, the only thing we would change about our trip is the length of time we stayed. We would have loved to have seen more parts of the country and spent more time with its incredible people. Not to worry though, we will be back!
Tous Mag: Where are you hoping to travel to next and why?
J&J: So much to see, so little time! We have a long list of places we still want to visit, but the highest on that list is probably the Philippines and Borneo. Besides, travelling and photography our next greatest passion is scuba diving. These two locations have been rated some of the top places to dive in the world and are said to be a diver’s dream!
Tous Mag: If we asked you to give our readers an important message, what would it be?
J&J: Remember that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. The path to a fulfilling life is different for everyone, but the mindset we need to achieve it is the same—find what makes you truly happy, and do it! We have set out to create a life that would allow us to spend every day together doing what we love. We hope to inspire others to never settle and always live your best life!
