Worth every of the 800 steps. Dang. I’d make a great monk. (Taken with Instagram at The Monastery, Petra, Jordan)

I could’ve paid extra to “ride in like Indiana Jones”… (Taken with Instagram at The Treasury, Petra, Jordan)

OK, I’m a wee bit impressed. (Taken with Instagram at Burj Khalifa, Dubai)

A city of skyscrapers. Meh. (Taken with Instagram at Dubai Gate One, Dubai)

Which shisha should I get? (Taken with Instagram at Jumeirah Market, Dubai)

Even more exquisite in person… (Taken with Instagram at Burj Al Arab, Dubai)

In Dubai, there’s the have nots and the have yachts. I’m a have what[?]. (Taken with Instagram at Yacht Club, Dubai)

Last day in Istanbul, I met a Chinese girl from Beijing who’s studying in Minneapolis… Small world, once again. (Taken with Instagram at Marmara Islands, Istanbul)

If you’ve never had mantissi before, you need to find the nearest Turkish restaurant and try it. Now. You’re welcome. (Taken with Instagram at Hala Restaurant, Istanbul)

Methinks a good place to read a book. (Taken with Instagram at Bosphorous Strait Park, Istanbul)

Mehmed & Bulta (Taken with Instagram at Kabatas, Istanbul)

Where there’s no Babe, there’s plenty of Bambi… (Taken with Instagram at Taksim Square, Istanbul)

Me after my fantabulous Turkish bath. Words cannot express my joy, so here’s a picture. (Taken with Instagram at Hamami, Istanbul)

Very bad-tasting, yet very expensive, dumplings… (Taken with Instagram at Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, Istanbul)

Suleymaniye Mosque Awesomesness. (Taken with Instagram at Old Town, Istanbul)