Malaysian family visits Turkey during military unrest

The writer (second from left) with his parents and their humorous pilot (left) after a delightful hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia. — Photos: JONATHAN LEE

When my family and I visited Turkey in November 2016, it was right off the heels of a failed military coup. Due to the unrest, airfares were really low and we found several popular spots to be devoid of tourists, allowing for plenty of exploration and photo opportunities.

We began our trip in Istanbul, otherwise known as the Pearl of the Bosphorus. Located in the European continent, Istanbul is a picturesque town that sits on the coast of the Straits of Bosphorus.