A quick stopover in Istanbul

[therock]

What can you do if all you have is a few hours? Sit around the airport lounge? Or explore the city?

 

What's there to see anyway? 

 

There are so many terms in to describe Turkey and Istanbul:

The crossroad between the East and West, a smorgasbord of culture, the narrowest point between two continents of Europe and Asia.. and so much more

Yet nothing quite prepares you for the sights, sounds and smells that confront you when you land. Yes there are kebabs and wraps. But it tastes so much better than those you find back home. Was that lamb or some other animal mixed together? Well if you eat well in the streets of Istanbul, you will have no such doubt. 

How about the ice cream? Sublime and if you get a fun loving vendor, he will toss, spin and twirl that cone playfully in front of your eyes. 

 

Then there is the history. So much has happened here which has affected the world and has found their way into our history books. Strife on a global scale, the rise and fall of empires, world wars, genocide and more. 

 

It is also a delicate powder keg of the major monistic faiths with mosques almost abutting the churches. In fact both faiths may have occupied the same building and I can't say there are too many other places where Islamic messages share the same space on the walls as mosaics of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Such is the complexity here. 

 

Yet you do feel a little tension as you stand in Taxim square with so many people thronging the streets. Amongst them are crafty pickpockets, and it does take away the amazement when you have to keep watch on your wallet all the time. 

 

Ultimately you do surrender to the crowds and simply soak in the atmosphere, whilst trying to appreciate the history and beauty, sitting somewhere in the middle of the many wonderful cafes and watch the world go by with a delightful cup of coffee in your hand. 

 

I found this well reviewed guide company and they gave very good service, with a warm and friendly guide.

https://www.dailyistanbultours.com/

Do take note:

 

Take care of your belongings, especially in crowded places, as there are pickpockets and my own guide was pick pocketed actually. 

 

You do see many places used in the movies like Taken 2, James Bond, and many more.. truly amazing 

 

 

The Spice Bazaar:
 

 

 

Turkish delights

 

 

 

Spices

 

 

 

The Hagia Sophia

 

 

 

 

 

Plates which glow in the dark

 

 

Grand Bazaar

 

 

 

Kebabs:

 

[Jamesc]

Sitting on the cross roads of trade between Asia and Europe

 

will make this city a very bazaar place.   

 

 

[Jamesc]

 

So many spices but I honestly didn't feel their food is very spicy.

 

[Jamesc]

 

So many spices but I honestly didn't feel their food is very spicy.

 

[kdash]

nice

[therock]

Shots from the Basilica Cistern 

The place was used in the movie Inferno:

 

 

 

Medusa head

 

[therock]

Kebabs!!

 

Food isn't expensive in Turkey, unlike the Northern European countries, here, a decent meal for four can cost under 40 Euros.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Pizza

 

 

Awesome bread

 

[Boringchap]

Good fun.  We visited Istanbul a few years ago and I made some videos.

 

Basilica Cistern.  Quite a fascinating place. 

 

Blue Mosque - a very unique place. 

 

Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar.

[Dleodleo]

What can you do if all you have is a few hours? Sit around the airport lounge? Or explore the city?

 

What's there to see anyway?

There are so many terms in to describe Turkey and Istanbul:

The crossroad between the East and West, a smorgasbord of culture, the narrowest point between two continents of Europe and Asia.. and so much more

Yet nothing quite prepares you for the sights, sounds and smells that confront you when you land. Yes there are kebabs and wraps. But it tastes so much better than those you find back home. Was that lamb or some other animal mixed together? Well if you eat well in the streets of Istanbul, you will have no such doubt.

How about the ice cream? Sublime and if you get a fun loving vendor, he will toss, spin and twirl that cone playfully in front of your eyes.

Then there is the history. So much has happened here which has affected the world and has found their way into our history books. Strife on a global scale, the rise and fall of empires, world wars, genocide and more.

It is also a delicate powder keg of the major monistic faiths with mosques almost abutting the churches. In fact both faiths may have occupied the same building and I can't say there are too many other places where Islamic messages share the same space on the walls as mosaics of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Such is the complexity here.

Yet you do feel a little tension as you stand in Taxim square with so many people thronging the streets. Amongst them are crafty pickpockets, and it does take away the amazement when you have to keep watch on your wallet all the time.

Ultimately you do surrender to the crowds and simply soak in the atmosphere, whilst trying to appreciate the history and beauty, sitting somewhere in the middle of the many wonderful cafes and watch the world go by with a delightful cup of coffee in your hand.

 

I found this well reviewed guide company and they gave very good service, with a warm and friendly guide.

https://www.dailyistanbultours.com/

 

Do take note:

 

Take care of your belongings, especially in crowded places, as there are pickpockets and my own guide was pick pocketed actually.

 

You do see many places used in the movies like Taken 2, James Bond, and many more.. truly amazing

 

 

 

The Spice Bazaar:

 

 

 

Turkish delights

 

 

 

Spices

 

 

 

The Hagia Sophia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plates which glow in the dark

 

 

Grand Bazaar

 

 

 

Kebabs:

 

How's the situation in Turkey now? Safe to go?

 

Thanks for sharing. Nice photos.

[therock]

It's never like SG but there's more risk from pickpockets than terrorists.

The scenery and history are amazing.. just be vigilant