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I said in my previous posts that I would not jump the sequence for the sake of recording our pilgrimage to Turkey (Trail of St Paul) in conjunction with the Year of St Paul which ends this month - thus the timing of our pilgrimage.
However, on second thought I feel it's only fair that I at least inform my visitors/readers that we are home safely. The word safely is used because on our first night in Turkey, the TV news bulletin said an Air France plane flying from Brazil went missing! How's that for a welcoming news! That piece of news spoiled our otherwise happy journey somewhat - to the extent that I didn't bother to switch on the TV again starting the 2nd night.
The only thing which calmed my thoughts (I can't speak on behalf of my fellow-pilgrims) was the fact that I was on a pilgrimage and there was therefore no reason why I shouldn't have faith in the Lord in looking after us. The fact that we had Mass daily said by Rev Fr Fundes also helped. The daily Mass throughout our 12-day stay in Turkey was held either in the morning or afternoon, depending on circumstances. If the Mass had to be held in the afternoon, then we would say the Morning Prayer and Praise on the bus while travelling.
If the journey between two points is long enough, we also prayed the Rosary on the bus - in English, Bahasa and Kadazan, depending on who is leading. It was quite an experience in itself for me - saying the Rosary while travelkling in a bus and attending Mass in different churches/chapels/open spaces over 12 days! After all, it was my first pilgrimage.
Yes, time flies so that before we knew it we are home. We arrived in KK late Friday night after a few hours' stopover in Singapore. We had left Istanbul for Singapore the previous evening. Althought we spent the (Thursday) night on the Turkish Airlines plane, we arrived in Singapore only Friday afternoon due to the time difference (Turkey is 5 hours behind Singapore/Malaysia). Due to the tiring journey from Turkey to Sabah (not to mention the daily walking under the hot sun for 12 days), I didn't wake up earlier than lunchtime both Saturday and Sunday. Much as I wanted to continue blogging on Turkey soon as could, I was just too tired. Besides, after being away from home for two weeks, there were other pressing matters.
I do not want to touch on the details of the trip here so as not to jump the sequnce. My report will continue in the next Part. For the time being, I just reproduce here a Timeline of Turkish history which I downloaded from the Net. Hope it's large enough to be read. Hopefully you can enlarge it by clicking on it. I also reproduce another version of the map of Turkey for your easy reference.
I also reproduce a photo of the scenic port city of Iskanderun which I mentioned more than once in my previous posts. Iskanderun is the modern name of Alexandretta. If you look at this map, you will only find Iskanderun and not Antioch or Antakya where we spent our first two nights. Antioch-on-the-Orontes is south of Iskanderun. You will also not find Tarsus where we had our first Mass in this map. Tarsus, the birth place of St Paul, is near Adana to where we flew from Istanbul on Day 1 (Saturday 30 May).
Thank you for visiting. Please come back.
However, on second thought I feel it's only fair that I at least inform my visitors/readers that we are home safely. The word safely is used because on our first night in Turkey, the TV news bulletin said an Air France plane flying from Brazil went missing! How's that for a welcoming news! That piece of news spoiled our otherwise happy journey somewhat - to the extent that I didn't bother to switch on the TV again starting the 2nd night.
The only thing which calmed my thoughts (I can't speak on behalf of my fellow-pilgrims) was the fact that I was on a pilgrimage and there was therefore no reason why I shouldn't have faith in the Lord in looking after us. The fact that we had Mass daily said by Rev Fr Fundes also helped. The daily Mass throughout our 12-day stay in Turkey was held either in the morning or afternoon, depending on circumstances. If the Mass had to be held in the afternoon, then we would say the Morning Prayer and Praise on the bus while travelling.
If the journey between two points is long enough, we also prayed the Rosary on the bus - in English, Bahasa and Kadazan, depending on who is leading. It was quite an experience in itself for me - saying the Rosary while travelkling in a bus and attending Mass in different churches/chapels/open spaces over 12 days! After all, it was my first pilgrimage.
Yes, time flies so that before we knew it we are home. We arrived in KK late Friday night after a few hours' stopover in Singapore. We had left Istanbul for Singapore the previous evening. Althought we spent the (Thursday) night on the Turkish Airlines plane, we arrived in Singapore only Friday afternoon due to the time difference (Turkey is 5 hours behind Singapore/Malaysia). Due to the tiring journey from Turkey to Sabah (not to mention the daily walking under the hot sun for 12 days), I didn't wake up earlier than lunchtime both Saturday and Sunday. Much as I wanted to continue blogging on Turkey soon as could, I was just too tired. Besides, after being away from home for two weeks, there were other pressing matters.
I do not want to touch on the details of the trip here so as not to jump the sequnce. My report will continue in the next Part. For the time being, I just reproduce here a Timeline of Turkish history which I downloaded from the Net. Hope it's large enough to be read. Hopefully you can enlarge it by clicking on it. I also reproduce another version of the map of Turkey for your easy reference.
I also reproduce a photo of the scenic port city of Iskanderun which I mentioned more than once in my previous posts. Iskanderun is the modern name of Alexandretta. If you look at this map, you will only find Iskanderun and not Antioch or Antakya where we spent our first two nights. Antioch-on-the-Orontes is south of Iskanderun. You will also not find Tarsus where we had our first Mass in this map. Tarsus, the birth place of St Paul, is near Adana to where we flew from Istanbul on Day 1 (Saturday 30 May).
Thank you for visiting. Please come back.
1 comment:
Excellent, Fr Fundes also uploaded many photos in his facebook profile.
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