Meet Me in Istanbul
It has always been my dream to set my feet in Istanbul. The city breathes with history from the Byzantium, Constantinople, and Ottoman to the modern Republic of Turkey. I remember reading a novel ’Meet me in Istanbul’ by Richard Chisholm when I was 10. Since then I dreamt that one day I would see Istanbul and all its glorious past with my own eyes.
The day finally came. Hani and I decided to have our second honeymoon in Istanbul. We had a great 4 days in this magnificent city enjoying its sights, food, shop, and immerse ourselves in their culture.
26 Aug 2009
The location of the city cannot be more strategic, straddling across Asia and Europe, built around the Bosporus connecting Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. I would say I fell in love with Istanbul at first sight. The taxi ride from the Ataturk Airport to our hotel at Sirkeci was like riding a time machine. In a short distance we were taken from a modern glittering city to a charming old town with maze of cobbled streets teeming with life.
We spent our first day at the historic Sultan Ahmet area. Visiting the major tourist draws like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome. This part of the city is so rich with its splendour of glorious past. It was like a dream to see all those magnificent buildings stood strong and real.
26 Aug 2009
The location of the city cannot be more strategic, straddling across Asia and Europe, built around the Bosporus connecting Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. I would say I fell in love with Istanbul at first sight. The taxi ride from the Ataturk Airport to our hotel at Sirkeci was like riding a time machine. In a short distance we were taken from a modern glittering city to a charming old town with maze of cobbled streets teeming with life.
We spent our first day at the historic Sultan Ahmet area. Visiting the major tourist draws like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome. This part of the city is so rich with its splendour of glorious past. It was like a dream to see all those magnificent buildings stood strong and real.
Looking down from our hotel's window
The Gate of Salutation - Topkapi Palace
Imperial Council Hall - Topkapi Palace
Dine with a view - Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Souvenir stall at Sultanahmet Sq 
Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque)
Obelisk of Thutmosis III - Hippodrome of Constantinople
Basilica Cistern 27 Aug 2009
We spent our second day more leisurely with a visit to New Mosque (Yeni camii) and Egyptian Bazaar before boarding the popular Bosporus Cruise. The New Mosque albeit its name was not new at all, it was inaugurated in 1665, 68 years after it was first built.
The cruise was fantastic and cheap. Instead of sitting still at the deck chairs we spent the entire cruise moving to the port and starboard sides of the ship to catch the sceneries. We did not take the return trip back to the city but went to the famous shopping street on Asian side, Bagdat Caddesi. We were deliriously happy to find a lot of stores were having Indirim (sale). We took a cab to the jetty and back to our hotel when we finally had enough of shopping (or rather had not enough money to shop more). Grand Bazaar was next on the agenda, but we got there about 30 minutes before closing time. It’s a shame they close early or maybe it’s Ramadan. We just have to come back here again.
We went back to the Blue Mosque for Tarawikh prayer. It must say that it was one of the best experiences I had in Istanbul. I just couldn’t describe the feeling I had to be among the thousand of other worshippers from all over the world, under these magnificent domes all trying to rake the fadilat of Ramadan.
We spent our second day more leisurely with a visit to New Mosque (Yeni camii) and Egyptian Bazaar before boarding the popular Bosporus Cruise. The New Mosque albeit its name was not new at all, it was inaugurated in 1665, 68 years after it was first built.
The cruise was fantastic and cheap. Instead of sitting still at the deck chairs we spent the entire cruise moving to the port and starboard sides of the ship to catch the sceneries. We did not take the return trip back to the city but went to the famous shopping street on Asian side, Bagdat Caddesi. We were deliriously happy to find a lot of stores were having Indirim (sale). We took a cab to the jetty and back to our hotel when we finally had enough of shopping (or rather had not enough money to shop more). Grand Bazaar was next on the agenda, but we got there about 30 minutes before closing time. It’s a shame they close early or maybe it’s Ramadan. We just have to come back here again.
We went back to the Blue Mosque for Tarawikh prayer. It must say that it was one of the best experiences I had in Istanbul. I just couldn’t describe the feeling I had to be among the thousand of other worshippers from all over the world, under these magnificent domes all trying to rake the fadilat of Ramadan.
New Mosque (Yeni Camii)
Turkish Delight at Egyptian Bazaar
Bosporus Cruise
Maiden's Tower seen from the cruise
Grand Bazaar
28 Aug 2009Istanbul with it 12 million of population is one of the largest cities in the world spanning wide areas from Thrace to Anatolia. We definitely will not have the time to see all of them, so we only focussed our trip to the three most historic areas of Eminonu (the historic peninsula, Uskudar (on Asian side) and Beyoglu across the Golden Horn.
Today we crossed the Galata Bridge to the hilly Beyoglu and climbed the steep hill to Galata Tower. The view from Galata Tower was superb. It was worth the effort of climbing the steep hill. It reminded me of the view from St Marks Campanile in Venice, only better. We then walked the length of Istiklal Cadessi to Taksim Sq and finally to the huge Dolmabahce Palace. We walked to most of the places and I reckon the benefit of walking for today alone was enough to keep me fit for the rest of the year.
We concluded our tiring day by enjoying a serene and mystical Sufi Whirling Dance performance.
Beyoglu seen from across the Golden Horn
Fishing on Galata Bridge
Galata Tower
Views from Galata Tower
Istiklal Caddesi
Taksim Sq
Dolmabahce PalaceWe spent our last day in Istanbul shopping, from the street below our hotel at Sirkeci, Sultan Ahmet and the Grand Bazaar. We bought Ottoman jars, decorative plates, Turkish delights and some other souvenirs. The local vendors always greeted us with the same line ‘Malaysia? Apa Khabar?’ every where we went.
The history, landscape, architecture, food, local folks, everything about Istanbul has left a lasting impression on us. Did I mention the food already? Yes Istanbul offers a smorgasbord board of mouth watering cuisines for you to choose from. Don’t forget the rice and chocolate pudding. We will also miss the stray cats of Istanbul. These cats are clean, healthy, and beautiful and look very much domesticated. I wish I could take one or two home.
One thing for sure, we will definitely come back here again. Istanbul is like a drug we haven’t had enough for.
Shopping for a piece of Istanbul
Comments
I like Sultanahmet.
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