Hello folks,
So, it's over and time to share the experience!
The Urania Popular Observatory had in mind going to Side, Turkey, to witness the march 29th 2006 total solar eclipse, with the VTB (travel agency).

We arrived very early in the morning of sunday 26th, got several hours of sleep and left by bus for Cappadocia the same morning. Lots of flat and mountainous areas (with eternal snow).
On monday morning, some of us wanted to experience a balloon ride (a wonderful moment)! there was no wind and we had a great view of the mountains below us (first time for me).

We saw the underground city of Kaymakli, (better not be claustrophobous), the rocks of Goreme Valley, a moon city with giants and shadows. There are also frescoes from early christianity; here's a group picture. (I'm below right).

We also had the evening a belly dance party and whirling derviches! (Couldn't take pictures because of the flashes).

We returned back to Side on the 28th and visited caravanserais.

The mosques and minarets did remind us of observatories and rockets: In a way, they also get us closer to the heavens. It's amazing how many buildings are being built all over. I also was surprized the inhabitants knew german better than english.

There was very little publicity around the event (no billboards like in Guadeloupe, near roads, evoking the eclipse).
Perhaps , the Turkish flag evoked it somehow...
The next day was devoted to the reason why we went there:the solar eclipse!

Urania wanted to go slightly inland (9 km) so that we would have a better view of the incoming moon shadow (from south west) from an altitude.
A very clear day!!!!!
All 4 Urania groups (200 people) got together and we deployed our instruments (I only had my DSC-V1 digital camera and a tripod). Many others had all kinds of telescopes, binoculars. There was a PST which showed protuberances and attracted lots of people.

You have all kinds of phenomenons taking place (temperature falling, sky becoming darker, small crecents on the Urania flag, floating shadows) and voices rising, rising and then WOOOOAAAW!!!! Here comes the Moon's shadow from the sea, rushing towards us....And then Venus appeared (very brilliant, just before totality and then the Moment Suprême !!! (taken by Philippe Mollet from Mira who was in Akseki).

Here's mine (certainly not as good):

What was stricking was that the sky was dark blue, the Moon was completely black and it was surrounded by a white glow....Just like an eye in the sky!
I looked around (behind) but could not spot the space station.....
Then I decided to concentrate on the eclipse and Wham, here came the Diamond Ring!!
After that, the mood changed quite considerably: after the expectations, the enxiety, the show display, the shouts, came the sighs of relief it happened perfectly or of sadness it was over but the mood was cheerful, and celebratory.

It has been said this was one of the best eclipse in years. Our friends from Urania in Benin were also very happy!

Then the next days, we went sightseeing in Turkey (Roman cities like Perge, Aspendos amphitheater or Side).
Our Turkish guides were extremely competent, helpful and informative.
I had some problems with Turkish keyboards, though (their alphabet has 2 "i"s and 2 "u"s) because I had very little time at the internet café...

Here are my 111 pictures of the past week (only the first picture is blurry, all the others are fine).

And I made lots of friends!
Hartelijk bedankt aan Urania, de VTB en idereen voor de sfeer, het gezelschap en tot ziens!

Raoul