The end

We finished our trip with one night in Singapore. We stayed on East Coast Rd so we were close to the airport for the early flight. Enjoyed some Xiao long Bao for lunch and Laksa and chicken curry for dinner.

Spent the afternoon in the pool.

Posted with Blogsy

Leaving Istanbul

Distance walked-5.89 km

Transport used- bus, plane

After finalising packing, I decided I wanted some more Turkish delight and dried fruits if I was going to share it with others so we made a mad dash to our favourite store. Also bought a couple of bowls so I can present it nicely for Mum and Dad!

We walked to the bus stop to catch the midday bus to the airport. The bus took a lovely route through the city, over the Bosphorus River, leaving Istanbul via the old city gates. Arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare but due to the three security checks that occur plenty of time is always required.

We boarded and left on time, arriving in KL at 6.15am the following morning. Difficult to sleep as most of the flight was spent during time we would normally be awake.

Posted with Blogsy

Istanbul-final day

Distance walked- 8.52km

Transport used- rail, tram

We had one final “must see” sight in Sultanahmet so we headed over the Galata Bridge again and queued for the Basilica Cistern which was well worth the effort and the queue moved quickly.

After surfacing we found ourselves on the other side of Sultanahmet so we walked towards Gulhane Park, stopping on the way for a Gozleme. We walked through the park which served as an outer garden for Topkapi Palace and ended up where you nearly get great views of Asia and Europe.

Returned to Taksim via the usual transport and decided to go left at the square which took us to some interesting streets and lanes. We stopped at a bar for drinks then went to the Turkish delight shop for supplies. We had planned to walk to Galata for dinner but the Police water guns and riot gear changed our minds and we returned to our ‘safe’ zone for more drinks and dinner.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Istanbul

Distance walked- 9.96 km

Transport used- tram, funicular rail

Alis note

Ali gave us three items of food to source today and we found two of them. We didn’t try but at least we could tell him we found them. We had two places in mind to visit today and ended up seeing a lot more. We caught the regular rail and tram to Beyazit and walked alongside the Grand Bazaar until we sighted the Beyazit Tower so we headed in that direction. We walked through the grounds of the Istanbul University to a point overlooking the Suleymaniye mosque. We couldn’t work out how to get down to it but the view was worth the detour we had taken.

Suleymaniye mosque

Suleymaniye mosque

Suleymaniye mosque

 

We finally found an entrance after retracing our steps and ended up in the cemetery area of the mosque. We then entered the mosque with the same procedure as the Blue Mosque just without the queues. This mosque is larger and without the crowds the sense of importance is more profound.

Suleymaniye mosque

On leaving we selected one of two streets that headed down the hill. We stopped at a couple of stores and bought some copper pots. The steep descent confirmed the travel guides that told us to start at the mosque and work our way down.

fish rolls for lunch

We strolled along the waterfront and saw the lunchtime crowds eating the fish ( whitebait) rolls. The smell alone put me off trying it. We sat in the forecourt of the Yeni Camii mosque and then entered the Spice Bazaar. The smells hit you as soon as you enter and we ended up wandering, watching and tasting for well over an hour and a half through the markets and adjoining lanes and streets.

spice market

We bought a number of mixed spices and although it seems expensive at the time I’m sure we will enjoy the addition to our BBQ’s over the next few months. I enjoyed the market atmosphere more than the Grand Bazaar.

After leaving we headed back to Taksim for another well earned rest and a beer.

Again we walked along Istiklal C. Before heading for a drink and then a mixed grill platter for dinner, amongst the cigarette and cigar smoke of the renowned Nevizade St. The jackets are now airing!

Again it seems like a calm night but we have heard some firework noises from Taksim Square area.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Istanbul-Grand Bazaar

Distance walked- 7.13 km

Transport used- funicular rail, tram

The Grand Bazaar was today's excursion. We arrived at the gate near the tram stop and were immediately asked what we wanted to buy.

Grand bazaar

Grand Bazaar

Not sure if it was tea or perfume

 

Basically you can buy fake clothing brands, jewellery (real and fake), leather (real and fake), carpets ( ditto), ceramics, shoes, spices and souvenirs all under one roof. It is less of a market/bazaar and more hundreds of little shops enclosed in one area. It was fine but all a bit daunting and very much of the same round each corner. Generally the traders did not want to bargain, just lured you into their shop, gave you a price and let you decide whether to purchase or not. It also appeared that many shops are owned by the same people as they take you to their other shop if you don't like the look of anything in the first shop. They also tended to focus on the people wearing wrist bands or numbers from the cruise ships. It didn't have the friendly feel and banter of the Asian markets.

The traders have also learnt some accents and can turn it on when they find out which country you are from. Certainly worth a visit to say you've been there but probably not the place you buy from.

Nothing for us to buy

After a couple of hours there we left and walked back to Sultanahmet viewing the Burnt Column on the way. We stopped for a quick bite and beer, sharing a table with a lovely couple from Pakistan. Of course we discussed cricket, hockey and tennis.

After lunch we continued to walk back to Eminonu, stopping at a couple of places to see if we could do a night cruise or see a performance of the Whirling Dervish. Circumstances may stop us from venturing too far out at night.

After a break we headed out for dinner in Istiklal Casdessi at Otantik. Not the most authentic looking decor but the manti and gozleme where both great and we might just get back there again. The street seemed calmer tonight and we couldn't see or hear any protests.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Istanbul

Distance walked-9.88km

Transport used- tram, funicular rail

We walked the full way down Istiklal Cadessi to Tunel and then veered off to the left to walked down the cobble stone streets of Galata to Galata Tower. The streets were full of galleries and little shops selling musical instruments and arty things. The area also had a more European feel with its coffee shops and patisseries. Thinking we were lost we took a look around and saw the Tower just to the right. The tower is only nine storeys high but because of its placement on the hill there is a view across all of Istanbul. We waited in line and then took the lift to the seventh floor and climbed the spiral staircase to the outdoor platform at the top. Despite the haze the view was excellent and we were pleased we had left this excursion until em had visited a number of the sites.

Baking simit

Ready to juice

Galata Tower

Blue Mosque from Galata Tower

 

We left the tower and had decided to walk to Galata Bridge were we had seen loads of people fishing every day. On the way we spotted a small fish market and wandered through that before crossing the bridge. The whole bridge is crowded on both sides with people fishing and although the catches are small there is always someone catching a fish.

fish market-Galata

Galata Bridge

 

We walked through the streets that back onto Sultanahmet before heading back to the hotel by tram. We went in search of the Turkish Delight shop and successfully found it. The shopkeeper also treated us to one of the many chocolates they sell.

Turkish Delight

After a rest we decided to head back to the Galata area at night but from ourselves mildly effected by, what we later found out was, tear gas. We realised there was a protest going on at the far end of Istiklal Cad. And decided not to venture any further. The Kurdish were protesting against the Turks lack of intervention at the border with Syria.

We ate at Parsifal near our hotel before heading back to the room to find the safe would not open.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Antalya to Istanbul

Distanced walked-5.74 km

Transport used- taxi, plane, bus

After breakfast we packed everything and then sat in the garden until it was time leave. The holiday for Kuban Bayrsmi is up to day three and most places are closed in the regional areas so the taxi to the airport was fast

Once through security, checkin and another security check we boarded and were back in Istanbul in 50 minutes. The luggage took over half an hour to appear and we finally boarded the Havanas bus bound for the city. The mid-late afternoon traffic was unbelievable and a trip that took under an hour last time took nearly two hours. All this is courtesy of the holiday

We know our way through Taksim well, arrived at Bunkahaus Hotel, settled in and headed out to view the festivities. The Main Street of Taksim was packed with thousands of people mainly just walking, watching buskers and taking group shots. We wandered through lane ways, covered eating areas, shops with Turkish delight to sample and found a lovely Catholic Church in the middle of all the Islamic celebrations. We returned to the popular kebab shop then settled for a simple raki and beer. My raki arrived with five vessels- raki, water, ice, sprite and a mixing glass.

Istiklal Cadessi

Kebab heaven

Catholic Curch

Raki

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Antalya

Distance walked- 8.22km

Transport used- tram

A late start to the day. We decided to catch the tram just outside the old city and ride it to the end of the line. It wasn't that far but it took us to the edge of Ataturk Park. Most cities have something named after Ataturk as well as monuments and statues. We had a sweeping view of the Mediterranean Sea from a number of vantage points and walked through the park. There were a number of interesting statues but none had any inscriptions or plaques so we left none the wiser.

Antalya

Antalya

A surprise in Ataturk Park

There are also a number of feeding points and “houses” for the stray dogs and cats that live in the area. Most cities seem to have this “problem”,even Istanbul, but none seem to do anything about it.

Food for stray dogs and cats

Once we returned from the park we had just missed a tram and had to wait 30 minutes for the next one. We hadn't paid on the way there and could find no way to pay on the return trip. We were then informed that due to the holiday /celebration the team was free today.

We deliberately went passed our stop and walked around the wall of the city, stopping for an ice cream. Returning through some unexplored streets we returned to the hotel for a rest. Late afternoon we headed to an outdoor, street side bar for people watching and drinks, returning to our favourite bar a little later. Heather decided to risk a steak and decided the best place to try it was at our favourite place. She was pleased with the cooking and I enjoyed the sea bass.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Antalya

Distance walked-7.44km

Transport- boat

This morning we went straight to the Marina to catch our boat for the two hour trip. The trip was not as interesting as some of our previous but the waterfall at the turnaround point was quite spectacular. On our return we decided to venture to the Hamam.

The Turkish bath involved completely removing all clothing and sitting in a room tipping water over ourselves. All was OK until two other young women arrived and the women doing the procedure arrived in her underwear. I went first for the body scrub which removed all my dead skin, then a soapy rub. After final being allowed to cover up I was treated to a light oil massage. Probably my first and last such treatment. My skin feels great and beautifully smooth but the whole nudity thing with other people was a little confronting. Call me oldfashioned but…

After the bath we found the laundromat and set the clothes for a spin.

Walking around Antalya we noticed the increased number of people around, obviously for the holiday. Washing finished we headed back to the Hadrian Gate hotel for drinks and spent some time talking with a NZ couple who ended up booking the place we stayed in Kas. Dinner was at the same place as the previous night and again enjoyable.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Antalya

Distance walked- 9.86 km

Transport used- nil

We set off after breakfast to explore the old city. We headed for the clock tower and then walked along the wall for a view of the Marina and Lara beach on the other side of the Mediterranean. We came back through the gate near the clock tower and found our way to Hadrian's Gate and some other ruins. The streets are like a maze and we found it best just to go where we felt was right instead of following the map. This led us to a cafe overlooking the water. It was too good to pass up so we stopped for a while and enjoyed the view and a drink.

Spices for sale

Marina

Ruins- Antalya

Hadrian's Gate

Looking over the Med.

We then walked through a huge park and figured there must be many tourists during the high season as there are so many restaurants around the park. We turned back and wound our way through the streets to the Marina where we booked a boat trip for tomorrow. Knowing it was after 1 pm and our passports should be waiting we headed back to the hotel and much to our relief and delight they were there.

New Antalya

Old Antalya

 

Because of our late extension of our booking for this hotel we had to move rooms and each ended up in a single room for the night. Just difficult because we share one toilet bag and a number of other items. We sorted out our supplies and relaxed by the pool for the remainder of the afternoon.

We went in search of the cocktails we had seen during our walk and were surprised it was just around the corner. We enjoyed a couple and then headed in search of a particular restaurant but on the way were enticed by another we found. Despite the slow service, the food was very good and the atmosphere excellent. Wandered back to our separate rooms.

 

Posted with Blogsy