Being streetwise in Istanbul

I know, I know..i promised sometimes back that I would write about what to look out for while you are in Istanbul. I guess i was having too much fun to be paying any attention to the "devil's advocate". To be honest..some people have requested that i write about these 'negatives' that one should look out for in Istanbul.

Its really about being streetwise and it doesn't differ much from being in other parts of the world but nonetheless...we still need to be alert and cautious when in strange and foreign land. So..lets start with something synonym and what Istanbul is famous for.

0803hrs Sept.24' 11.. was doing my workout by the Bosphorus when I saw this submarine..cool !!!  how often does one do a workout with a submarine in your attendance...he he...only in Istanbul!
someday..i'll gather enough courage to swim in the Bosphorus like what most Turks do....
ok...this is a decoy..er...divergence....back to the posting....

Driving in Istanbul

Actually, this topic alone require one whole posting so i will elaborate more in later posting but suffice to say that in Istanbul, everybody accepts the "Supremacy of Automobiles" and Pedestrians and/or other mortals have no rights whatsoever and are just mere nuisance on the roads.  And...the drivers hands remain permanently glued to the honks. So...get my my drift...its actually quite fun..depending on which automobiles you are in. Cars..really are an extension of the Turks. More to come later.

what a beauty...a cool US$1.7 million....no....I didn't mean the guy....I meant the CAR! The Veyron that I normally see in Istanbul is in electric blue....Cool ! If you happened to be the owner...please PM me...i want to see if you deserve to be in it....and i want to take a photo,too. This guy? well...he drives a bigger wheel...a Boeing 777-300 to be precise ! Thanks Taib, for lending me the photo.. 

Shopping 

Someone once told me.."they are so sweet when they do their sales talk, but if  you didn't buy, they'll start to grow horns". Precisely. The rule here is....if you are not interested to buy, do not start to bargain and haggle for the price! It is BAD taste to bargain till you go blue in the face...and then to walk away without buying when he agrees to your offer. I guess that's pretty much the same elsewhere. I heard that in China, if you did that...they'll chase you out of their shop but at least, in Istanbul..you get to drink some cay or elma (apple) cay....seriously! The rationale is....he has "wasted" time in bargaining with you..and agreed to your offer and the only decent thing is for you to buy it. This is the very reason why I refused to bargain on behalf on my guest or friend. They can forget about the whole thing and go home but I am here to stay, and these people can remember me easily he he. I can be the translator but not the negotiator.

Tourist spots : Taksim Square and Sultan Ahmet

Ahh...Taksim! The ever so busy tourist spot. Its the happening place and you have not been to Istanbul if you have not gone to Taksim Square. Being a tourist spot...be wary of the usual tourist trap. Be careful when you take the taxi from Taksim as the driver would try to fleece you by refusing to use the meter or by asking for an exorbitant fixed rate or both. A friend of mine was asked to pay TL35 for a journey that would have cost her TL5 back to her hotel! So..if the taxi driver refused to use the meter, walk out of the taxi and hail another one. Its illegal for the taxi not to use the meter and there are plenty of other taxis around.

The other day, my friend bought a dondurma (ice cream) from a shop here ....and being in a joyous mood, we forgot to ask for the price. Imagine our shock and we almost choked when he said that it cost TL7 per CONE. At the same time, another (caucasian) man went pale when he was told that his dondurma cost TL15 per CONE! Granted.. the boy who prepared the ice cream was doned in the Ottoman garb and he did  a few trick of the hands while handing out the dondurma.....but at TL15 per cone? When a whole meal could cost less than that? I wanted to argue with him but my friend had taken a lick on the dondurma...so its "lick beyond refund'.

I just felt pity on the "TL15 a piece dondurma man" as i'm sure it would leave a bitter taste of Istanbul on him. So..stay away from this shop. Its the 1st dondurma shop that you'll see to your left as you walk towards Istiklal Caddessi as you come out from the Metro Underground or Bus depot. Or..to be safe, ALWAYs ask...ne kadar ( how much)? Most of them at the tourist spot will know how to speak English. And..buy from a place that display the price. It simpler and they can't scam you if you knew the price before hand. And get yourself familiarized with the Lira. Some smart and quick traders can play tricks with the Lira. Sometimes, you'll hear them saying "million", thats because prior to 2002, the Lira was in Million Lira until the authority knocked off the 6 zeros from the currency.

 

its normal for the dondurma seller to be donned in this type of garb.....but this is another man selling something else, normally...the younger 'boys' would be the mischievous ones trying their luck in fleecing the tourists..

Look out for those "paws"

This is especially important for Ladies. When you are shopping in the Old City, meaning Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian Bazaar, anywhere near the Sultan Ahmet area and other tourist area,...be cautious while trying on clothes or the like. The traders (almost always men) will insist on helping you to put it on..and that's when you must try to decline the offer. Soon..you'll realise that almost always you'll end up being 'touched' by the traders. It could be so subtle that you would only realise it after you are long gone from his shop. By then, you can only be angry with yourself for failing to react accordingly when he was 'pawing' you.

Another no-no is to take photograph with the men (traders or otherwise). Again..while you are having photos taken with them...their "paws" could be anywhere and everywhere...and you'll only realise it much later. So...be like me and stay behind the camera, not in front of the cameras even if they requested to have photos taken with you. Its much safer than way..remember what i said about Yabanci (foreigners)  being 'fair game'? I had had occasions when women requested to take photos with me but i'm yet to find out the reasons for that!? Hopefully its because I look different......from them!

Checking out counter

Very often, being short-changed by the shopkeepers are normal to any tourist. Ok..so you are a foreigner and you are not familiar with the notes and coins, thats understandable. And since you're only going to be there for couple of days..why bother,right? And it happens everwhere...Istanbul, Australia..even in my country. I know it because i use my shopping trips as a time to sharpen my mental maths by calculating the total amount to pay mentally as i pick up the stuffs. So that..by the time i reached the check-out, i would know how much is the total to pay, to the nearest cents..on a good day he he!

When I was living in Australia, i caught a few cashiers off when i went back to them to collect the short-changed back. How do I know they were trying to fleece me? Because they had the exact amount ready for me...to collect, in case i came back, which i did. Well..ok...its not the amount..its the principle. Once..a parking attendant at Victoria Market (Melbourne) short-changed me and when I drove back to complain...he had the exact amount ready for me..to give back! If you didn't return...its theirs to keep.

So..how different is it in Istanbul? Well....in order to understand it, you need to know some statistic on Turkey. About 40% and 25% of female and male of age 15 to 19 respectively, are either not in school or not working in Turkey. And about 1 in 4 cannot understand simple mathematics and other basic knowledge. So..what does that tell us? To me...I know enough to give them the benefit of the doubt if they short-changed me. Meaning...I put it to their level of education, rather than bad intention on their part for the short-change. Of course, for the first few weeks I was furious...until I noticed that they were struggling to get the figures right. At times...they even give me more change than necessary....sometimes...it could work out that I'm getting the products for free! READ MORE HERE

So..when you're in Istanbul (or other part of Turkey) and you think that you've been short-changed....please give them the benefit of your doubt...its not their intention, its their level of  education. But you can sense that they meant well and they are really honest people. Perhaps..the most valuable lesson here is ....... how important Education system of the country is. Turkey is beginning to revamp its education system and more people are now interested to learn English. Its a major step but something that they will persevere, I'm sure. But if they asked for my opinion, I think....they should stop 'dubbing' the English movies or series into Turkce and let the Turks learn English from the TV or cinema. My 2 cents-worth.....

Thank You and Sorry

One of my expatriate friends cited "rudeness" as one of the reasons why he left Turkey. On this score...I must say that I do agree with him, to a certain degree. How and when are they rude? Well..for one, they do not know how to say "Thank you" and "Sorry". Can you imagine a society who do not say those words often enough? Plus..they are a bit like their 'neighbors' who bumped or brushed against you without even a blink of an eye, let alone say sorry. Its as if you are..infidels who deserve no respect or acknowledgement. The arrogance of "I am holier than you". 

The Turks would not say 'thank you' when you let them pass through (either on foot or while driving), when you open the door for them, when you did a kind gesture to them, even when you bought something and paid for the goods, when you hand in your payment etc. etc. in fact, i can't think of a time when they did say 'thank you'. Maybe because the words "tessekuler" or "tessekur ederim" is too long or a mouthful for them to say often? Maybe because they think its a sign of 'weakness' to be saying these words??

It still baffles me to this day but it has been a point of contention among the expatriates or foreigners here. There have been numerous 'fights' between the locals and Yabanci due to this lack of "thank you" or "sorry". I am yet to study the reasons for that. Maybe someone would like to do a PhD research on this? Then..maybe...we can learn to understand them. For now..we can only put it to "it" not being taught when they were young by their parents because the parents were not taught by their parents before them...hmm...fair enough, you think??

Don't pick a fight

Its as simple as that! Why not?? For one..they're burly and big and probably stronger than you are.! They have exercise equipment everywhere in the public park..and they are fit and muscular. More logical reason is...about 20% of the people has and carry a gun (either legally or not) and they all know how to use it. You see...all males of a certain age must go for the compulsory National Service for two years where using firearm is one of the prerequisite. So..bear in mind...even taxi drivers might carry a gun, drivers may carry a gun, shopkeepers may carry a gun.....literally all males are suspects. There have been numerous shooting incidences whenever they got into a fight...so please stay away from any confrontations and you should be safe and okay in Istanbul.

READ MORE HERE

being a country used to fightings and war for centuries...it is safe to assume that the Turks still have the warrior blood in them....that could explain how they could 'explode' when confronted with 'unsavory' issues....so just stay out of confrontation with them...

Archive......we had M16 and guns at all times during one of our construction projects (late 90's) at suburb of Makati, Phillipines.....i have nothing against guns, as long as its not pointed at me....at times, its the necessary evil !!

Falling in love

When in Istanbul.... fall in love with Istanbul....BUT..don't fall in love IN Istanbul. Just as you shouldn't  pick a fight in Istanbul..at the same time, do not fall in love.

Let me depict a picture of how romantic (and adamant?) Turks are. They are very expressive in their emotion and before long you'd noticed that both men and women will hug and kiss (on the cheeks) when they meet and on saying goodbyes. Its is also a common sight to see both men and women holding hands and with arms around each other when they talk or walk. That's part of their culture and its so refreshing to see such expressive people. Plus...they're gorgeous and its wonderful to see them in love with their respective partners.

fall in love with Istanbul for its beauty and whats inside it.....but make pretty sure that you don't fall in love in Istanbul . . . .i can't help you there with "matters of the heart".....

the intersection of The Bosphorus and The Marmara Sea.....it can really calm the nerve and soothe many aliments...but I'm not sure if it can heal a broken heart.....if it happened here...so consider yourself 'WARNED" !!

Please be warned again. Turks are very friendly, very helpful and very 'amorous'. They will be-friend you but you don't have the time to analyse whether or not his attention, friendliness or charm is genuine. It is always, always safer to err on the safe side and walk away as fast as you can. No need to be flattered by the attention 'cos 99% of the time, they just see you as a Yabanci (foreigner) and fair game. 

To all those ladies travellers out there......be very careful. You can fall in love with Istanbul and all its beauty but don't fall in love in Istanbul! It is not safe to fall in love here. The handsome and charismatic men may look European, very modern and manly but unless you are locals, its a bit more complicated than that. They can be so romantic ( just look at them with their girlfriends on the street), very suave and charming........but better err on the SAFE side! Grr..what a shame. I was told that Turkish men are good husband materials as they always do the cooking. Even at home! That explains why the ladies are immaculate and well coiffured all the time. Since hubbies are cooking, they have more time for themselves......what bliss !!!

Take care of your heart. Otherwise.....enjoy yourself !!

p/s I hope you don't mind the long 'read'.........take your time...no hurry.....there are plenty more "lookouts" but maybe next time...

Out of Istanbul...G'day Perth !

G'day mate...howzit goin'?? You can see more people jogging in the city of Perth than on any jogging track  or by the Bosporus in Istanbul. I have forgotten how fit and trim Aussies are as they jog to their offices in the early morning, men and women alike. its amazing how they survived in the chilly and windy 8 deg C in their tees and shorts while I shivered in my triple layered outfit..including a leather jacket! more are either casually riding their bicycles  or walking to work....what a healthy nation!

And i have also forgotten how gorgeous Aussies are...no....make that, drop-dead-gorgeous!! Think of Nicole Kidman and Princess Mary and you'll get my drift. They are really gorgeous but I couldn't bring myself to stick my camera into their faces for fear of being sued or being rude. The Turks loved to be photographed but the Aussies are more reserved,so I shall respect their privacy, for today. 

Perth skyline at night......its almost like a fairy tale city, ain't it....

Perth monuments...with names of all soldiers who was killed in battlefields.....

it really is beautiful......

The only downside to Australia is....their currency has appreciated by more than 28% ! While its good for them to import products in ( and they imported almost everything) they have literally "out-priced" themselves to tourists.They might not feel it if they are living and earning Aussie Dollar but things (and services)  are expensive now, even when they were having their Sales and Offers. Someone like me would not be buying things as I know that I can get better and cheaper things in Turkey. Especially since Turkish Lira has depreciated about 24% now...so its much cheaper to shop in Turkey or Istanbul !!! See...more reasons for you to go to Incredible Istanbul !!!  

Perth is a clean, friendly and "tourist-friendly" city. Most time, you'd be forgiven if you thought you were in other Asian countries because you can hear people speaking Chinesse or Bahasa Indonesia everywhere. There are so many non-ethnic ( residents or citizens ) here....and this is evidenced from the many Chinese, Turkish, Japanese, Malaysian, Indian, Indonesian, Koreans and other restaurants all over the city. I guess one will never miss home when in Perth where food is concerned. 

What I love most is the free CATS bus services. There are Red, Yellow and Blue CATS buses that will take you for free all around the city. The buses, services and frequencies are superb and you sometimes wonder how the city could afford giving such new,clean and modern buses with excellent services for free. Any normal Capitalist would immediately seize the opportunity to make money out of it but Australia is known for being a Caring Society or Country. They have very high 'quality of life' and nobody lives below poverty line here. Years ago when I was living in Australia, I used to hide my designer products as they tend to scorn on accesses and "show-offs". The only luxuries they don't mind showing are their cars!

what a pleasant surprise....there is a Turkish stall at the Harbor Town Outlet Center......
in fact, Gozleme is very popular in Perth and you can find them in many shops in the city...
but here, they are thick and filled with many things while in Istanbul, its rather thin and crispy...

functional and fuss-free shopping at Harbor Town Outlet.....
be prepared to meet all visitors to Perth here....
almost all visitors and tourists will come here .....
especially on friday when it closes at 9pm as compared to 5pm on normal days..

CATS Routes and Time Table.....in case you find yourself in Perth someday....
and I'm sure that someday will be soon !!!!

bus stop for Yellow Cat bus as well as for the normal (paid) buses...
the bus will arrive at an average of 8 min. interval.....

close-up of the Time table for the Yellow Cat..
noticed the electronic signage showing that the bus will arrive in 2 min....
its also by audio for hearing impaired person..
and the bus will be there as mentioned....
all these for FREE...can you believe it?

after doing your shopping at Harbor Town Outlet, you can take the Cats again to go home...
the bus will tilt to the side to allow prams or wheelchairs to get on...
and the designated seats at the front can be put upright for the prams and wheelchairs...voila !!

So, how do they balance their budget to afford such caring society? Well...their taxes are a bit high at 49% but as my "Relocation Consultant" once told me..."...but..you don't see poor people here, do you?" makes sense...don't you think so? 

The people are super duper friendly and they'll talk to you as if they've known you for years. While having our lunch at a restaurant, we got to know of a life story of one beautiful lady (and her policeman hubby) including lessons on how to get employment in Perth. Its really that amazing!! Strangers literally chat you up in the street..and it is so casual and everybody smile at each other...its almost unbelievable! During my entire stay i never met ( not even once) any rude person or met with any rude or unpleasant events....it truly is a pleasant city. Not surprisingly....PERTH is a dream city to live in to many out there.... 

  

Iftar in Istanbul Part 2 - Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque) Area

First and foremost, I would like to wish all Muslims in the world....Happy Eid Fitr and  Iyi Bayramlar. Today marked the end of the Ramadhan (Ramazan) and muslims all over the world celebrate their victory, jubilation and / or gratitude in many ways. 

While the Arab 'spring' or 'uprising' were just happy to celebrate their freedom.... muslims in other parts of the world, seized the opportunity to meet up with family members and visiting friends and other loved ones. Thats is...except for yours truly.....oh well, I'm not complaining...I feel rejuvenated, lighter and cleansed after a month of fasting and thats jubilation enough for me.

In Turkey, Seker (Sweets)  Bayram or Ramazan Bayram is celebrated in a quiet and low key style. Basically, the children will go round the neighbors houses and they'll be given sweets (seker), hence its called seker Bayram. Apart from that, they will also go visiting families, relatives and friends. The morning part are normally very quiet, even the mosques are conspicuously quiet. 

By evening, the noise will start to return, topped by the 'drummer'. You see, during Ramazan, these drummers would go around the neighborhood to wake people up for their 'sahor' or 'very early breakfast'. An hour before the Imsak (time to stop eating), the drummer will go around beating the drum to wake people up. I find this refreshing and not annoying at all, as normally complained by the locals. 

So, on Bayram, these drummers will go around the neighborhood again to collect their 'fees'. Of course, its a token of appreciation but they have to be paid nonetheless! And of course..there are the occasional fireworks to make then day even more exciting! What is a celebration without fireworks, eh?

Anyway...as promised, I have here photos taken at the Sultan Ahmet area, two days before Bayram, albeit a late one! The place was jam-packed, we could not managed to get a parking a week before and this time..we  just tried our luck by going again.

Its quite a plain do..but i was told that the town council had set up tents elsewhere for the public (especially the less fortunate) to have their Iftar for free. Its a huge white rectangular tent with a sit down facillities and everybody is welcomed to break their fast there. I don't have the photo as i didn't go to the right place, so...maybe next time.

While you enjoy your Seker Bayram or Eid-Fitr....I'll be up in the blue sky! Shh...I'm on my way to Down Under for my first-born's convocation.......so....this Bayram is also a sweet victory and jubilation for me!!!! 

All ready for the Iftar tho' it being a tourist area, not everybody here is fasting... 

they may have been without food or drinks for the last 15 hours, but they don't seem to mind....or affected by it physically

rabbits to tell your fortune ? the rabbits are supposed to pick up the colored papers for your fortune to be read....hmm...do they know that rabbit meats can be made into satay.....yum yum !! you know the saying, when you're hungry......., anything goes....

he's part of the tourist attraction, period costume from the Ottoman era, the different headgear  will be an indication of your status and power in the palace or to the government...

in the beginning, there were 7 of these busses....waiting.....the last i checked, there were 3 left...

the mausoleum of the Ottoman Sultans and their children and families....right next to the Blue Mosque.. 

the entrance to the Ramazan Bazaar.....

what's left of the Hippodrome....these Arab scripture was brought here by the Romans....

frankly....I can't make up what he's made up for...but i guess he was supposed to represent the old palace guard

tursu (pickles) of every imaginable vegetables and fruits.....

an advertisement to tell people that their dondurma (ice-cream) is made of goat's milk...

yes....concerts and shows are BIG during Ramazan....its set up almost everywhere....

an hour before Iftar....and everybody have taken up their spot for the Iftar and picnic of the day...the only thing missing is...the MANGA (BBQ) ...which is understandably....is prohibited !!

have you got your spot, yet?

how much nicer can it be? Iftar right in front of Agia Sophia....

or...Iftar, right in front of the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)....pick your choice....

everybody have taken their spots on the bench....

Gozleme...a thin pancake type of bread with filling of cheese, spinach or yogurt..hot from the stove !

or...Iftar in front the Blue Mosque...on the green lawn....

Ahh.....picture perfect......

beautiful sail yatch......is it really a sail yatch..or just for the fun of it? the sail looks too small to be of any use, though...

and there were two of them, so i guess the other one must be Club Med 1.....beautiful...

can you see the big cruise liner in the background...lurking between the buildings? well...there have been bigger cruise liners !

our Bayram meal was a French & Thai Fusion, courtesy of Thierry.......Iyi Bayramlar........ 

Ibrahim Tatlises ( Emperor or Ibo ) - Turkey's No.1 songbird

If you drived along the main road in Istanbul (new) city, its impossible to miss a BIG poster of a mustached man with curly hair hanging from a building. The poster is a good five or four storey high and there is little words on it, just simply the man's face. I guess..before long,you too will realise that words are not necessary where this personality is concerned. Until today, they are still debating weather Turkey is Ibrahim or Ibrahim is Turkey!! Such is the influence that this man has on his country.

So..who is he? Ohh..he's just a singer and actor. Oopps..he is also an entrepreneur, a businessman and a would be politician. Would be because his dream of being a Politician was cut short by the latest event in his life.

You see...Ibrahim Tatlises has just got back from Germany after being there for couple of months. Why....you asked? Ohh..he underwent a rehabilitation treatment after being treated for a month in Istanbul's hospital. Well..you see...he just recovered from .....wait for it....an attempt on his life !! And that was .....not the first, neither second....attempt. That was a THIRD attempt on his life !! He had been shot, stabbed and other "too nasty to mention" provocations but he survived them all.

During the last attempt, they waited for him to leave his studio and while he was walking out from the building...they ambushed him from their car and pumped strays of bullets into him! He took in 2 number of bullets (out of eleven) in all, one lodging in his head. Understandably, he was in a coma and the media went into frenzy. I think everybody thought that he would not pull through this time. He needed a miracle,surely!

But pull through he did..and then flew in the government jet to Germany for a rehabilitation treatment. But the incident cut short his dream of running for election during the recent General Election. It's not known if he was attacked due to his political aspirations, crime of passion or business deal went sour.

Ibrahim is a Kurdish who made it BIG in Turkey and remain well known till today, thanks to his powerful rich tenor voice. People all over the world would come to Turkey just to listen him sing. Some people said that he was at the right time, right place...maybe, but he is an ICON in Turkey. However, success and popularity always come with a price, it seems...and Ibrahim is no exception. His crude and brash manner had angered many lovers, business acquaintances as well as friends and...people do not wonder anymore who or why some quarters are eager and willing to assassinate him.

You can read more on Ibrahim HERE,  HERE  and HERE and listen to his wonderful voice HERE and HERE, even if you can't understand what he is singing or saying about!! Enjoy !!

So...why am I writing about Ibo? Well...I'm getting to my point in a moment. Did you notice how adamant Ibo was? In fighting for his life? In wanting to continue with his life? In wanting to move on and not letting other people, events or circumstances to curtail his plans and aspirations? Noticed HOW MUCH he wants to LIVE? Maybe you'll say..it's because he has a LOT to live for, maybe! The keyword here is..wanting to live.

I had a very shocking,disturbing and heart-breaking news last week. So wrenched was I that I could not bring myself to write and think. So disturbed was i, that i had to block my mind and my heart from thinking further about the news. Now I am more stable and I must write and tell my story..before it gets blurred with other things.

My daughter's friend, in his very early 20s had just committed suicide. Now...I am sure, you'll be reeling with the same questions that I had for weeks....why?...why?..didn't he talk to someone...didn't he ask for help...didn't anybody noticed anything...surely it can't be all that bad....if only..if only...!! And can you imagine how devastated the family would be...for the rest of their life? And, I do sincerely feel their pain. It would have been different if he had been murdered or died out of illnesses, but this..? I do not know the exact reason, not that it matters anymore...but its shocking to me because this is the second suicide that my daughter told me of her friend. Last year, another student in Australia committed suicide due to problems with "love and studies".

What is happening to us? Are we too busy not to notice the crucial signs anymore? Are we too modern not to care for our neighbour's sufferings anymore? How are our youth coping with the stress of life and living? Theirs is a 'kiasu' and 'kiasi' and we tend to forget that not everybody can face up to the challenge and pressure they're facing. Our youths are ill-equipped to face the reality of life and that's why most of them resort to an easy way out. Its a tragedy that you wouldn't wish your enemy to face with. Please, do look out for each other. Lives, especially young lives.. are too precious to be lost in this manner.

To all those lost soul out there....hang in there, look at "Ibo"... fight for your life, even if you think it has very little to offer now, life IS worth living! Use "Ibo" as your inspiration when the going gets tough.Nothing last forever and your tears and sorrow would not be there forever, I can promise you that. Time will ALWAYS heal all wounds...and if necessary, it is always better to Let Go than to Hang On to something or someone who would not add value to your life. 

Remember, even BLACK is the color of the rainbow. Talk..talk to anybody, even to strangers...you are NEVER alone. You are always LOVED and GOD loves you. Love God, Love Life and Love Yourself! If all else fails...you can talk to me. Or..you can listen to this great song CLICK HERE  that I used when feeling low..when I was a student in cold, gloomy and wintry England. Nowadays...this sultry song CLICK HERE will soothe any blues that cloud your days sometimes...... 

Really...with all its shortcomings and faults....it really is a beautiful LIFE !!

  

Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off adventure

If you had reached this Blog thinking that its about the on-off relationship between Brad and Angie, then i am deeply sorry for you but you are most welcomed to continue reading. This is a hop-on hop-off of a different kind. After being for almost a year in Istanbul, I finally took the Hop-On Hop-Off travel bus to tour the city of Istanbul. You know how it is, just as you'd never know how the hotels are in the city that you live, you'll never bother to do what the tourists normally do, right? So..what made me do it? Well...i had this guest who was staying for 2 weeks and I was at my wits end trying to figure out how to kill the time, so there I was!

Its called Hop-On Hop-Off because you can hop-on (get on) and hop-off (get down) anywhere you want within 24 hours at the 73 locations that the bus was going through. Did I say 73? Yes...and that is only concentrating at the Fatih and Taksim area. We have not even touched the Anatolian (Asian) side or the Prince's Island. So maybe now you'll have an idea of the many great places that one can visit in Istanbul.

how it all began....maybe, if you paid attention to the video, you don't need to take the Hop On Hop Off again. there...i've saved you Euro20 for the fare! aren't you lucky !!!

it is actually available all over the world.....noticed how many interesting places you could visit?

Our (me and my guest) strategy was quite simple. We planned to make two round trips. The first trip, we stay put in the bus and don't do any hopping. We 'recce' the area first and then decide which stop to hop-off on the second trip. Perfect plan,eh? Yes..except for the fact that we were too busy taking photographs that we didn't really see the scenery. So..we make changes to our plan. Ok...maybe we stop at Taksim square and then hop-off. Good plan actually...except that my guest was snoring away when the bus reached Taksim Square and I didn't have the heart to wake her up. Besides..i was not done taking photographs yet. You see...the first round, I sat on the left side of the bus. That mean, I missed snapping shots of the Beautiful Bosphorous (which was to my right). On the second trip, I scrambled for the seat on the right and managed to take photos of the places that I missed.

the bus start the journey in front of The Hagia Sophia and will make a round return trip within 90 minutes. If you were early, you can always go to the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basillica Cistern, the Grand bazaar, the Topkapi Palace and many other places within a short walking distance to each other....

the famous Istanbul Train Station where the movie  "Murder on the Orient Express" was shot, plus many other famous movies...

these anglers insisted that their photos were taken....so I obliged !!

the beautiful Dolmabahce Camii (Mosque) 

my travelling companion...lost in her Slumberland.....in reality, she was at Taksim Square....

beautiful Suleymaniye Camii (mosque) in the foreground. Designed, created and built by the architect Mimbar Sinan, the talented Christian Armenian who converted to Islam upon being convinced by the Sultan. He thus had the creativity, talent and foresight to merge the beautiful Christianity and Islamic architecture.

gorgeous Bulgarian METAL church....!!!!

Eyup Sultan Camii....many muslim throng to this mosque as it is considered sacred and one would normally go for visits and to ask for favors (doa), prayers and wishes...and many claimed that their wishes came true after the visit...

simits for your growling tummy? too bad..the bus do not allow you to eat or drink while you are on it, altho' I saw many who defied the rule and still drink as it was a rather hot day. 

The best part is...everybody on the bus had the same idea as us. it was the same group of people from the first trip taking a second trip ha ha. I know this for a fact because one of the nice ladies told me "yes, we noticed that its the same friendly girls again"! Us...girls?? Thank you,Lord! I'm not about to argue with her on that he he.

After almost a year of living in Istanbul, I only knew few weeks ago that...the Galata bridge was designed by Leonardo Da Vinci (not Leonardo DiCaprio 'tho he's better looking), the Istanbul train station was where the legendary movie "Murder on the Orient Express" was made and another James Bond movie, that the chain running across the Golden Horn was attached to the Galata Tower (more on this later), that there is a cable car linking to a restaurant in a lake and many many more!

It was indeed a very educational adventure and when we finally hop-off (at the same stop where we hop-on, not very adventurous of us,are we? ) we were both  tired physically and mentally. And... as if to test our endurance, the tren going back to Kabatas was jam-packed that people literally had to be pushed in to get in. And to top it all, a man elbowed me on my nose! I thought my nose was broken and I had tapped him on the shoulder and was about to land my heels onto his heels when I noticed that he was holding a baby...yikes! Not fair, not fair! So..I only managed to give him a dagger-look which he didn't even seem to notice or flinch. You horrid, horrid man! I bet you're not Turkish !!!

Please click HERE   to watch full set of the photos taken during the tour. And.. 'pardon' the quality of the photos as there were all taken on a moving bus, except for Taksim Square. You really need a steady hand to capture those scenery ....phew !!!

P/s Sorry couldn't continue with "Iftar in Istanbul" this week. Will try again next week.