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Explore ExperiencesCall it by any name – Turkey still remains a wonderful city with a mix of the old and new. Divided into the Asian and European sides, this populous city has so much to offer. We landed at Ataturk Airport on a sunny muggy afternoon. Etihad is the way to go – leave from Bangalore via Abu Dhabi. Excellent in-flight service and a little nodding off and we were there! Turkey welcomed us with its balmy heat and noise and wonderful smiling people.
We had no car booked so checked around in the airport for transport to our hotel which was in Kadikoy on the Asian side. Thinking we had a wonderful bargain, we jumped into a cab and said Kadikoy ahoy! He charged us 100 Lira (roughly translates to INR 3000)!! We realised that we could have just taken a bus to the Eminonu Ferry stop and then ferried it to Kadikoy and it would have cost us under 40 lira! Anyway, you live and you learn. The transport system is fantastic – don’t get fooled at the airport with touts showing you maps and giving you yarns about how long it will take you to get to your hotel. Just take a Havas bus to a ferry point that will then have other boats which will take you to the Asian side. Closest ferry to the airport is Bakirkoy.
We checked into our very quaint hotel which involved a steep climb up a narrow lane. If you stuck your head out of the window whilst someone held your legs, you could see the azure blue waters of the Bosphorus River! But truly it was a nice and clean little hotel.
We headed off into the great unknown (we knew nothing about Istanbul) after depositing our bags in the room…ferry across the river to Eminonu. We then decided to do the Bosphorus River sightseeing trip. It is basically a boat ride for about 3 hours for TL25 per person. The one we did was not so great – we could barely hear the guide on the PA system. Unsure what it was all about actually! But the boat ride itself was soothing and very scenic.
Next day all rested we headed off in the ferry to Eminonu which is the main ferry station. From there we tram’med it to Sultanahmet station…hopped off and walked to the Blue Mosque. We could not go in as it was prayer time but peeped through the windows. The stained glass is simply superb. The dome is not really blue but sorta looks bluish with the sun shining on it – or so I thought. We had a drink called the Salep – sweet and warm and sprinkled with cinnamon. Yummy! Probably loaded with calories but when you’re on holiday, who cares!
We strolled across to the Hagia Sophia – formerly a Church converted into a Mosque and now a museum. The interiors are full of fabulous mosaics and pillars. Don’t miss the Apse mosaics.
Then onto the Basilica Cistern in the same area. This underground tank provided water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and later on to the Top Kapi Palace. Supported by 336 marble columns, it can hold up to 80,000 cubic metres of water. An underground place, it can be creepy for those with claustrophobia and is awfully damp. You can see the two heads of Medusa on 2 columns – one upside down and one sideways. Why or what is the significance?? – anybody’s guess!
Taksim Square was wondrous and so different. Branded stores, scores of people window shopping, quaint buildings interspersed with new buildings, cafes, noise, street musicians, memento stores, carts selling Chestnuts! We took the ferry from Kadikoy to Kabatas. Then the Funicular (underground railway) from Kabatas to Taksim. It’s a very steep climb and you can feel it sitting on the train. It’s actually like an incline elevator but only on a train! Similar to the ones in Hong Kong and Budapest.
We visited some Greek Orthodox Churches as it was Easter time. St Antonio Church in Taksim is a good one to visit. All Greek and Latin to me as I didn’t understand a word, but the mood was sombre and prayerful.
Note: You must have good walking shoes as there is a lot of walking to be done! Keep hydrated (Turkish tea is a good option) and wear a hat so you don’t get too tanned.
We left Istanbul after 4 super days, but I think in order to do it justice, you must stay at least a week.
Well written. Nice