Ich Liebe Berlin

This is my first trip to Berlin, back in 2009 with my old housemate. I fell in love with the place straight away...

This is a cute little shop in Mitte called The Early Bird Hype that showcases all-new brands to Berlin from local and international designers and artists. The shop is really low-density so you can appreciate each product individually. The staff were great too...

 Token tourist photo of the Berlin TV Tower...

This is a baby wear shop also in Mitte just around the corner from The Early Bird Hype... I LOVE how the ultra-clinical and minimal store design echoes the functional product offer yet is contrasted on the exterior by a very grungy street looking shop front with graffiti and dirty walls - very cool!

I took this photo through the window of a shop that was unfortunately closed. I was interested in the flooring of the store which had been covered in rolls of pre-production orange juice cartons.

İstanbul

When Michael Palin visited Istanbul in his 'New Europe' series, he says that you have a true sense of arrival in one of the worlds truly great cities. He's bang on.

The Turkish capital is, as you would expect given its history, a real melting pot of cultures, sounds, sights and smells. Packed to bursting point with people from all walks of life living together in this baking hot crossroads between the mystical East and modern West.

The minarets and domes of the Blue Mosque are the epitome of Istanbul. The imposing holy site rises up from the top of a hill - the call to prayer strikes you in a way that instantly calms your mood - its all very impressive!

Like I said, East meets West - the yellow cab's remind you of a scene in New York, yet Turkey's vibrant, Eastern flag spices up the picture. The Turks love their flag - it flies literally EVERYWHERE!

Journey's end... After a month on the continent, it was finally time to head for home - and what better place of departure than this fabulous city. Istanbul left it's mark on me - I'm desperate to return!