Nature's Adventure Awaits! Let's go to Bursa

Bursa is a large city in the Asian part of the Marmara Region of northwestern Turkey, situated at the foot of Mount Uludağ. It holds great historical and cultural significance, as it was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1335 to 1363.

The vibe of Bursa is completely different from Istanbul... I don't know how to put it into words, but it's laid-back and kind of peaceful. And here, you get a glimpse of Asia. Being a Muslim woman, I can say that people dress more modestly here. I mean, I have nothing against anyone's way of dressing, but that's an observation I made right at the ferry terminal. The people heading towards Bursa, especially the women, were dressed more modestly.

Oh yes, did you hear "ferry"? Yes, we reached Bursa by ship. It was my first experience, and what an amazing one it was. We had to catch the first ferry of the day because we needed to return to Istanbul on the last ferry. And we were practically running towards the terminal after reaching the station by taxi... because another 5 minutes late, and we would have missed the window. So yes, I ran on the roads of Istanbul — another first in my life, running on the roads of a foreign country!

How did I get so lucky? This experience is one of the most beautiful memories of my life... I mean, the endless view of the sea, its waves... And we on the top of it! So, the very feeling that you have to cross the sea to get there was enough to mesmerize me. The ferry took almost two hours.

At the Bursa terminal, we found a taxi driver and hired him for the whole day. Our first destination was the Bursa Teleferik. Yes, from here, we were supposed to take the cable car all the way up to a height of around 1,871 meters. However, we stopped about 200 meters short because the cable car wasn’t operating all the way to the top. So, I believe we stopped at the second-to-last station.

And one more thing... The ticket prices we saw online were actually three times less than the actual price. So, do the math: multiply the cost of 5 tickets by three. Remember I mentioned that our budget got blown? This cable car trip was one of the reasons. But we wouldn't have missed it for the world. So, yeah!

Here we are, two exhausted souls, sitting on the stairs. With us is my husband’s friend, who’s buying tickets for us at the booth… My son is with him too. Meanwhile, we’re sitting here taking selfies and catching our breath. What can we do? Age is catching up with us!

That is our cable car ride ⬇️. I mean not technically ours, we are sitting in the rear one! The car takes you from an elevation of 50 or 100 meters above sea level to 1,650 meters in 20 minutes

The YouTube video linked below was made by me, but it’s from our way back down. I forgot to record while going up. Haha!

_{The Bursa Uludağ Gondola connects Bursa with the ski resort and national park at Mt. Uludağ.}

As I told you earlier, we used the cable car (Teleferik), but only the first section since the second one was under maintenance. We reached the second-highest point. Here in Turkey, every step you take, every terminal, and every subway stop has a market... and I absolutely loved that! Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, just window shopping is enough to make your heart happy.

Ok no shopping whatsoever, we exited the terminal at Sarıalan Area. Is terminal the right word for cable ride stop. Ok we exited the stop and what a breathtaking view it was. The beautiful sky, forest at both sides of the road. The air so fresh and crisp. What else you want from life?

Ok these four people:

Enjoy some more snaps of this place:

Upon reaching Sarıalan, hikers will find a picturesque plateau surrounded by pine forests, perfect for resting and picnicking. There are also facilities available for visitors, including restaurants and picnic areas

The Sarıalan Trekking route from Zeyniler Village to the Uludağ Teleferik area is an excellent choice for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the beauty of Uludağ National Park. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape or an adventurous day out, this trek offers something for everyone.

Hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and forests throughout the trek. The diverse flora and fauna along the trail create a beautiful natural experience. Of course, we didn't do any of that. We just enjoyed the view on a much shorter stroll through along the forest. Because entering the forest was prohibited:

_{translation: ATTENTION! ENTERING THE FOREST IS DANGEROUS AND PROHIBITED}

Well, I saw some villagers around. There were also some huts at far side of the forest. One thing that is on my bucket list and if I ever visited this place again is:

Zeyniler Village

This charming village serves as the starting point for the trek. It’s located at a relatively low altitude and offers a glimpse of traditional rural life in the Bursa region. sr

To be continued...