Hello again,
It's funny how sometimes on certain holidays, you need a holiday from your holiday. You know the ones, where you're excited to be there so you feel like you need to do and see so much that when you get back you're exhausted, but in a good way. I always aim to be like a sponge on trips, just soaking up all my new adventure has to offer.
Today marks the end of Ramadan, the 30 day fasting period in the Muslim calendar, during which Muslims refrain from consuming food and drink between sunrise and sunset.
Seker Bayrami, the sugar festival, is the 3 day festival following Ramadan, which focuses on all things sweet. Baklava, Turkish Delight, boiled sweets, the works! Sweet shops are open around the clock, all shops and hotels offer their guests and visitors chocolate or sweets, basically, everyone is buzzing around Turkey on a sugar high!
Having developed a bit of an obsession with Turkish food since our trip to Istanbul in June, we decided to head to the Turkish restaurant in Chorlton, Turkish Delight. We'd actually been meaning to go here for a while, since before our trip, but had never quite got round to it. The problem with living in Chorlton is there are just so many yummy places to go and eat, we're spoilt for choice on our doorstep!
Situated in Istanbul’s walled historic district, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest enclosed markets in the world. Construction of the bazaar’s first buildings began in
That means hello in Turkish! I just finished my first full day in Turkey and I am loving it so far!
I arrived at around 1 yesterday afternoon after a layover in Frankfurt. I was only in Germany for a few hours but was really into it. The German airline I was on served a lot of free wine in coach, it was not a bad way to spend 7 hours.
My forthcoming novel begins in the Istanbul of the 1630's. Murad IV is Sultan. Coffee and alcohol are evil, and their consumption is punishable by death or worse. Mina, a slave girl captured by Ottoman troops in Hungary, tries to escape after years of captivity.
She kept her head down, but her mind was alert to the people and sounds around her, especially for the distinctive sounds of soldiers and their swords.
Äntligen är jag hos min Serkan igen!!
Resan gick bra, förutom att flyget var en timma sent och det var massa trafik in till Istanbul, så det kändes som att jag aldrig skulle komma fram.
Men det gjorde jag ju såklart! Och det var riktigt härligt att få bli omkramad av Serkan igen!!
Igår var dessutom Serkan ledig eftersom det är bayram här.
I'm about a month behind Nat so this is me trying to catch up.
The giant metropolis of Istanbul was next, the only city to span 2 continents, meaning we also crossed back into Europe from Asia.
That means hello in Turkish! I just finished my first full day in Turkey and I am loving it so far!
I arrived at around 1 yesterday afternoon after a layover in Frankfurt. I was only in Germany for a few hours but was really into it. The German airline I was on served a lot of free wine in coach, it was not a bad way to spend 7 hours.
©durulgur2012
istanbul
My forthcoming novel begins in the Istanbul of the 1630's. Murad IV is Sultan. Coffee and alcohol are evil, and their consumption is punishable by death or worse. Mina, a slave girl captured by Ottoman troops in Hungary, tries to escape after years of captivity.
She kept her head down, but her mind was alert to the people and sounds around her, especially for the distinctive sounds of soldiers and their swords.
In the spirit of awesome global cities, here are a few photos from a week spent in Istanbul this spring.
As my neighbor on the flight there said: Paris is a beautiful city. Istanbul is an ugly city with beautiful places.
I might have to agree, to a point: Istanbul still feels like a developing country, even in Taksim (a lively neighborhood near where we stayed)--but the beauty of the mosques on every other corner and the ability to cross over to another continent on a 30-minute ferry more than make up for it.
Day 2: 11th April 2011.
After the Hippodrome, we were ushered into (=Rather like sheep don't you think, being directed from one place to another??)
Next Stop: Sultanahmet Camii / Blue Mosque
Fact: It is known as Blue Mosque because of the blue Iznik tiles that decorate its interior. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice.
Photo Credit: http://www.breadandbutter.com.tr/index.html
Walking distance from my apartment, I have found my haven! Bread & Butter is a sidewalk cafe that offers a variety of drinks, lunch dishes and special pastries. With shady street seating and wonderful ambience, Bread & Butter serves as the perfect place to spend the afternoon. For anyone missing their local cafe or bakery from home, your needs will be met at Bread & Butter.
Istanbul is without a doubt the largest city of Turkey and is sometimes referred to as “Soul of Turkey”. It is the country’s cultural heart and its financial hub as well. It is historically prominent for its primeval role as old-world famous Constantinople. It indeed is a destination that can stand against any other destination in terms of arts, natural beauty, architect and many more.
Last week we had a new adventure. The kids and I were on a multi-city road trip en route to meeting Kevin in Istanbul. Rather than driving the last bit of the trip into the city and risk getting stuck in traffic (bad on a normal day, but factor in bridge closures combined with the impeding holiday weekend and it could be disastrous*), we decided to take a car ferry across the Sea of Marmara.
Fishing from the Galata Bridge, Istanbul, as dawn breaks.
Call 1.800.330.8820 or click here to have our Virtuoso Luxury Mediterranean Travel Specialist contact you about reserving this interesting Turkey vacation that takes an in depth look at the Istanbul the Capital on the Ottoman Empire and rich with cultural treasures which you will explore. Mention promo code CKWS to access the full itinerary for this Turkey luxury vacation pricing.
I love the Turkish culture, the tasty food, the vicious humor of the Turks. However, I find their business mentality absolutely horrible. Thus it happened every time that for the goods, that are completely obvious you have to pay extra. You want a spoon tsatsiki or hot sauce on your kebap - 5 liras extra, you want mixed meat - double up the price.
The ambition of the Jeroen Bosch Hospital is to become the most patient-friendly hospital in Netherlands. EGM architecten translated this ambition into a building with a clever layout, ample daylight, playful interior and accessible, green outdoor spaces.
ATATURK
SAFRANBOLU the home of historical sty of ottoman imperi
SAFRANBOLU the home of historical sty of ottoman imperi
WELKOM MODERN TURKEY 
WELKOM MODERN TURKEY
WELKOM MODERN TURKEY
