Thursday, November 20, 2008
blue and white
ISTANBUL: a place to visit for all who love to be with themselves on a holiday and yet have some few adventures. Its beautiful to see so many architectural and natural wonders. Me and my friend planned this trip just three weeks in advance and we were off to go before we knew. We flew from Mumbai to Istanbul by Turkish airways, though the cheapest of all airlines you may have many options if your pocket and budget is high. Our stay was planned at the Hotel Validesultan, very friendly staff and Mehmat - front desk executive was very helpful. Situated in Sultanhamat area, which is a tourist area of all, it was close to the airport and centre of the city to travel any where. Having rooms with a motherly touch to their décor. The stay was just perfect for a weeks trip. Hotels on Istiklal street are also recommended for young crowd, Hotel Lush is good with every room in a different layout and design, my friend recommends it atleast for one night stay.
The time difference between India and Istanbul, is just about 4 hrs, we landed in the first half of the day in Istanbul. We went around our hotel area on the first day. The easiest and fastest way to beat the traffic and travel to sites is by the tram which is 1.40 YTL. Taxis are 2 YTL mini… but rather unexpected tourist not knowing to speak Turkish, should not opt for it. Buses are fairly good but traffic is bad so not recommended. We had initially planned to go to Cappadocia a beautiful cave city, but it was something we felt needs to be done separately and couldn’t get clubbed with our 6 days stay. But for all others it’s a must visit.
Sites:
Bhosphorus cafes – enjoy a cup of tea by the river straight and don’t forget to spend one evening reading a book here. Take a local 3 deck cruise to the other side of turkey – Asia which also has some good sea side cafes. Topkapi palace and Dolmabahce palace is a must visit for all who love history and museums. Topkapi palace is worth a visit for the variety of blue ceramic tiles used and the stories related to the Turkish culture. Blue mosque –sultan ahmet camii - is beautiful from inside…not well maintained it apparently the only one with 6 minars. There are more than 260 windows to lit the mosque thru daylight and some hundreds of Iznik tiles from 17th century. The Haghia Sophia (church means divine wisdom – it’s a museum, stands opposite the blue mosque, its calligraphy huge size ornate elements around the whole structure are magnificently beautiful. Gold, blue, white, are the colours that will reflect in every piece of artifact you buy. Galata tower was a 360degree view of the entire city. The Yerebatan Cistern is a architecture marvel, with some 200 odd pillars supporting a underground water reserviour and has two sculpture of two sisters upside down and one eye s closed, there have been many stories to it, marble pillars and wish pond.
Language:
A few words from the Urdu language though commonly spoken, publically English is not so common so figuring out your way would not have been easy otherwise. But having a city map in English will be very useful o find your way, though all maps are not useful the one you get outside any tourist spot will be more apt.
Regardless of your willingness the Bhophorus is a beautiful. Small fishing boats owned by locals are a filling the sea of marmara in the morning, evening its full of cruises and sunset on a cruise on the bhosphorus is beautiful. The city is so small yet so beautiful – a blend of modern and contemporary be it their cafes or even their hotels.
Food:
Breakfast at the hotel we were staying was awesome a good blend of raw blend of vegetables and so many options in bread. We were served fruit juices – orange and wild berry – tea and coffee – breads (with different coatings and many different shapes and tastes, toast, etc ) boiled egg, jam, cheese spread, butter, honey – dark and light, mix and watermelon marmalades, fruits, chicken and salami, raw tomato and cucumbers….so much and we almost skipped our lunch.
To eat local cuisines our experience was best tested on street food. We strongly recommend than expensive cafes. Though you would see Starbucks and McDonald’s brands most often on the city side. One should try Donear kababs – the local delicacies on the street cafes only. Turkish teas – all different flavours without milk is a must to refresh at any given corner like in India – as we have our chai thella. Fish Balluchi restaurant – at sultanhemat area near our hotel was very a must visit to try seafood, they also offered some good wines. Waffles in Ortokoy area are a must…there is just one person opposite the bus stop – you cants miss.
The cafés under the galata tower are good places to have lunch. Ortokoy and Taksim square has awesome Turkish delicacies to try – for non-veg lovers it’s the best. Wet burgers and kababs are recommended. During the month of September – October you would get hazelnuts roasted over clay – served hot – just peel and eat. Yummy is the word. Hot chocolate served near Dolmabahce palace is good where you see ducks float by you and birds flying so close while you sip over your hot chocolate and enjoy the view.
Souvenirs
As for souvenirs you could always pick, the traditional blue pottery adapted into different mediums like coasters, pots, plates, ash trays etc. Turkish bath is very famous also known as Hamam, Turkish towels and soaps – pomegranate- cinnamon – lavender, rose etc are commonly available. Abdulla brand in grand bazaar has some good soaps and good packaging also. Tea lit glass chip laterns are beautiful in a hazelnut shape….they come in all sizes for a good bid don’t forget to bargain. Tea flavours like apple, herbal, rose etc are fairly a nice gifting item for all. There are street artist who would write your name in English script looking like urdu script on plates or tiles….a good nameplate you see. Though grand bazaar and spice market are some few places to go quickly on your last day of the trips. But there are many local shops that also give you some good buys. Istiklal street is meant for all who want a BRAND in their wardrobe….its got all shoes, boots, accessories, clothes, etc. The nostalgic tramp is too good a timepass.
Perfumes are quite favourites with Europeans so many shops will have a excellent variety even at the duty free.
The time difference between India and Istanbul, is just about 4 hrs, we landed in the first half of the day in Istanbul. We went around our hotel area on the first day. The easiest and fastest way to beat the traffic and travel to sites is by the tram which is 1.40 YTL. Taxis are 2 YTL mini… but rather unexpected tourist not knowing to speak Turkish, should not opt for it. Buses are fairly good but traffic is bad so not recommended. We had initially planned to go to Cappadocia a beautiful cave city, but it was something we felt needs to be done separately and couldn’t get clubbed with our 6 days stay. But for all others it’s a must visit.
Sites:
Bhosphorus cafes – enjoy a cup of tea by the river straight and don’t forget to spend one evening reading a book here. Take a local 3 deck cruise to the other side of turkey – Asia which also has some good sea side cafes. Topkapi palace and Dolmabahce palace is a must visit for all who love history and museums. Topkapi palace is worth a visit for the variety of blue ceramic tiles used and the stories related to the Turkish culture. Blue mosque –sultan ahmet camii - is beautiful from inside…not well maintained it apparently the only one with 6 minars. There are more than 260 windows to lit the mosque thru daylight and some hundreds of Iznik tiles from 17th century. The Haghia Sophia (church means divine wisdom – it’s a museum, stands opposite the blue mosque, its calligraphy huge size ornate elements around the whole structure are magnificently beautiful. Gold, blue, white, are the colours that will reflect in every piece of artifact you buy. Galata tower was a 360degree view of the entire city. The Yerebatan Cistern is a architecture marvel, with some 200 odd pillars supporting a underground water reserviour and has two sculpture of two sisters upside down and one eye s closed, there have been many stories to it, marble pillars and wish pond.
Language:
A few words from the Urdu language though commonly spoken, publically English is not so common so figuring out your way would not have been easy otherwise. But having a city map in English will be very useful o find your way, though all maps are not useful the one you get outside any tourist spot will be more apt.
Regardless of your willingness the Bhophorus is a beautiful. Small fishing boats owned by locals are a filling the sea of marmara in the morning, evening its full of cruises and sunset on a cruise on the bhosphorus is beautiful. The city is so small yet so beautiful – a blend of modern and contemporary be it their cafes or even their hotels.
Food:
Breakfast at the hotel we were staying was awesome a good blend of raw blend of vegetables and so many options in bread. We were served fruit juices – orange and wild berry – tea and coffee – breads (with different coatings and many different shapes and tastes, toast, etc ) boiled egg, jam, cheese spread, butter, honey – dark and light, mix and watermelon marmalades, fruits, chicken and salami, raw tomato and cucumbers….so much and we almost skipped our lunch.
To eat local cuisines our experience was best tested on street food. We strongly recommend than expensive cafes. Though you would see Starbucks and McDonald’s brands most often on the city side. One should try Donear kababs – the local delicacies on the street cafes only. Turkish teas – all different flavours without milk is a must to refresh at any given corner like in India – as we have our chai thella. Fish Balluchi restaurant – at sultanhemat area near our hotel was very a must visit to try seafood, they also offered some good wines. Waffles in Ortokoy area are a must…there is just one person opposite the bus stop – you cants miss.
The cafés under the galata tower are good places to have lunch. Ortokoy and Taksim square has awesome Turkish delicacies to try – for non-veg lovers it’s the best. Wet burgers and kababs are recommended. During the month of September – October you would get hazelnuts roasted over clay – served hot – just peel and eat. Yummy is the word. Hot chocolate served near Dolmabahce palace is good where you see ducks float by you and birds flying so close while you sip over your hot chocolate and enjoy the view.
Souvenirs
As for souvenirs you could always pick, the traditional blue pottery adapted into different mediums like coasters, pots, plates, ash trays etc. Turkish bath is very famous also known as Hamam, Turkish towels and soaps – pomegranate- cinnamon – lavender, rose etc are commonly available. Abdulla brand in grand bazaar has some good soaps and good packaging also. Tea lit glass chip laterns are beautiful in a hazelnut shape….they come in all sizes for a good bid don’t forget to bargain. Tea flavours like apple, herbal, rose etc are fairly a nice gifting item for all. There are street artist who would write your name in English script looking like urdu script on plates or tiles….a good nameplate you see. Though grand bazaar and spice market are some few places to go quickly on your last day of the trips. But there are many local shops that also give you some good buys. Istiklal street is meant for all who want a BRAND in their wardrobe….its got all shoes, boots, accessories, clothes, etc. The nostalgic tramp is too good a timepass.
Perfumes are quite favourites with Europeans so many shops will have a excellent variety even at the duty free.
Friday, November 14, 2008
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