Urfa, Nemrut Daghi, Harran, and Abrahams Birthplace

Hello now where we on the last post? 
It has been really hot in the desert and we have had some problems with blogger software. Also the Turkish Military blocked all alien telephones. Due to the skirmish over the border with the Kurds in Iraq. We are  a long way from the trouble now.

On the Bank of the Euphrates River Urfa

OK we left Erzurum after collecting my Iran visa and caught a bus to Diabaykir. Our intention was to stay in that city but the connection to Urfa was waiting. 
Arrived in Urfa just on dusk. Friday 14th.
Urfa is a magic place and it should be in the Blue Book for must see places. The foundations of Urfa are reputed to be 9000BC. It is the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. His cave is a sacred Moslem pilgrimage site, 

The birthplace of the Prophet Abraham Urfa

The city is large some 870,000 people live here. Industry is farming and tourists. Not your usual tourists. But Middle East tourists from Bahrain, Dubai, Saudi and Iran. We found it to be vibrant alive and so hospitable, If you are a Christian then there are plenty of 12th century Crusader churches converted to Mosques but still unmistakable. 

With the Kids in Urfa

Jesus is  reputed to have sent a cloth here to cure a leper. The well where the leper washed is still intact covered with a rock!

Urfa from the old Fort 7000BC to Roman times
Citt and I have had random acts of kindness here, people just loved the fact we were visiting their city. A daughter and her Boppa. >me.

Our hotel was an old Armanien house renovated our host was a genial Kurd English teacher Aslan Asia. He was just great organized a trip to Nemrut Darghi And Harran taking in all the Roman Ruins. Historic sites and modern marvels of this region.

Aslan Konek Evi Hotel Urfa

We visited the Ataturk Dam part of the Gap Irrigation Project. That has turned desert into cotton fields and satisfied the Kurds with money and a future. 
Nemrut Darghi National Park sits on top of a mountain 2150mtrs. It is a pyramid of rocks with statues of Lions Apollo, Hercules,.Zeus,  King Antiocheus 62 BC built this monument to himself. 

Nemrut Darghi 62 BC

To the West it is Greek to the East the statues are Persian.

Nemrut Darghi Persian Side

Good Politician this guy hedging his bets. He was caught between the Byzantines and the Persians.

Nemrut Darghi Greek Side

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Nemrut
These guys sure outshone our modern politicians for egalitarian acts.
http://www.google.com/search?q=nemrut+da%C4%9Fi+national+park&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=577&rlz=1W1SKPT_en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=tl-gTtrPK4WLswbEz4jfAg&ved=0CFwQsAQ

It is a unesco site.


The Roman Bridge and perfect Seljuk period bridge burial mounds old cities all in the fertile crescent the land of the scriptures.

Roman Bridge

Citt 

That is it for now we are crossing into Iran tomorrow so not too sure if I can update you. I will try my best. You are yet to visit the Biblical town of Harran and the old Sun god caves. 

Thanks for coming along.