The epicenter of Sulaymaniyah with street side traders, bustling shoppers, worshipers and even men selling cartoon balloons.

The remains of the (800 yo) Sheikh Choli Minaret in the Minare Park of Erbil among the shade of some banksias.

The Sheikh Choli Minaret guarded by the busts of renowned Iraqi's in the green Minare Park of Erbil. A resting place to escape the hustle and bustle.

One year later... This local stall owner still runs his well stocked shop in Sulaymaniyah, alongside the Sulaimani's Great Mosque. Definitely a sufficient supply of biscuits.

One year later... Wandering the lanes of Sulaymaniyah allowed me to reconnect with this well dressed local. Unfortunately couldn't find his equally well dressed mate. Hoping the photo makes it to him.

One year later... Reconnecting with our favourite food stall where the owner often refuses our money. So nice to be greeted back with such genuine hospitality and a healthy serve of his soup and chai (with sugar!).

One year later.... I don't think he's aged. Enjoyed his offerings and smile. Nice to see the reaction once offering these images back to the original owners. Ideally go back and offer them again to a wider audience.

The maintenance team at Hawary Shar, the home of Iraq's first skateboard park. Still utilising their sickles to cut the grass.

Having laughs over a potential sale and/or a comical price offered for his watches

This guy could sell ice to Eskimos...

Food carts offering further activation to the Sulaymaniyah city center. A place we sat often enjoying the various food and time consuming tea(s) whilst watching the night time activities.

A Sulaymaniyah local, captured among the crowds of the bazaar. He offered the opportunity to capture his portrait and was happy when shown the results. Ideally I will return with a printed copy.

Laying out his make shift stall to offer his collection of prayer/worry beads in Sulaymaniyah, offering his customers an item to calmly occupy their mind. His confident posture offered assurance in his wares.

Laying out his make shift stall to offer his collection of beads in Erbil. No relation to the same man in Sulaymaniyah!

Numerous preserved goods (beetroot, garlic, turnip, olives...) adding colour to the bazaar. Definitely worth loading up until the heart burn kicks in.

Walking the back streets in Sulaymaniyah, meeting the local characters as they proudly allow a quick photo. He tried to tell his story through his ID card although my lack of Kurdish unfortunately couldn't offer any insight. Would appreciate hearing all about it considering the past hardships for the locals in this area.

CJ utilising a schoolyard wall to the support (heckling) of the local kids

A christian village that has only recently been repopulated, having been forced to leave due to persecution and fear of life. Now safely occupying their own town and freedom of religious beliefs again. The border guards were more interested in our soccer teams than our reasons for visiting.