- We had only allocated 4 days to explore Istanbul and we felt that a much longer duration is required to explore all that Istanbul has to offer....
- Whenever we walk past the group of people fishing on the Galata bridge, we will wonder if the numerous fishing lines ever get entangled...
- Istanbul is a photographer's haven, where a mix of the many charismatic historic images with the subtle signs of its evolution to a modern metropolis brings about a refreshing new outlook to this fascinating city!
- We have never seen such majestic mosques before!
- The Grand Bazaar is a shopper's paradise and a shopper's husband's worst nightmare ;P
- It is interesting to observe how the locals in the sales or food&beverage businesses usually reach out to customers with the same standard question "Hello, where are you from?" - I find it a great way to show their sincerity in wanting to know more about their customers and a great method of creating opportunities for small talks :)
- My husband and I felt very much at peace while touring Istanbul and we have always wondered if the daily five times call to prayer (ezan) has anything to do with it :D
- The Turkish tea usually given after a meal taste so refreshing and I am slowly converting from a coffee-lover to a Turkish tea lover :D
Feel free to add on to this list in the comment section below :)
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I really love the pictures! I would definitely want more that 4 days in Istanbul! It's a shame you couldn't stay longer!
ReplyDeleteNiall @ Independent Atlas
www.independentatlas.com
Hi Niall, thanks for stopping by! Yup, it was definitely a shame that I was not able to have a longer stay in Istanbul but it was fun nonetheless :)
DeleteHi Claire. thanks for the look at Istanbul. I've not yet been there, but would love to go. I'm sure the Grand Bazaar would be quite the experience!
ReplyDeleteHi Doreen, hi there again and thanks for reading :) The Grand Bazaar is really huge and with a cute and interesting variety of things on display - a truly wonderful experience to just walk around and enjoy the bustling atmosphere! Hope you will enjoy yourself as much as I did over at Istanbul :)
DeleteCheers!
We had planned to visit Istanbul sometime back, and then all the political issues began. It is perhaps time to revisit those plans. Your post would be helpful to finalize an itinerary,
ReplyDeleteHi Denny, thanks for reading :) Hope you enjoy your trip to Istanbul!! Do share more with us if you have other interesting finds on this wonderful place :)
DeleteWho doesn’t want to go to Istanbul? I am sure even a week is less for Istanbul. I saw Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah which had a striking similarity with the blue mosque of Istanbul. I have tasted Turkish tea and I agree it is addictive. Nice blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Abhinav, thanks for reading and yes talking about Istanbul is making me want to plan a trip back there again..haha.. :)
DeleteIstanbul is another of the cities I visited with my husband a long time back (in 1999) and I'd dearly love to go back now that I'm much better at doing research, plus all the resources like your post to reference as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Kavey, thanks for reading! Not sure how much Istanbul has changed over the years but I do hope it will be as interesting and exciting for you on your next trip back there :)
DeleteCheers!
Your pictures are stunningly beautiful and perfectly describe the beauty of Istanbul. The place is on my bucket list and your mesmerising pictures have casted a spell on me. I'll be planning my next trip to Istanbul. The pictures of the mosque look like a scene from some fantasy movie. I would so love to try that Turkish tea. :)
ReplyDeleteHi there, thanks for reading and for the encouraging comments :) Istanbul is really a lovely place and I do hope that you will get to enjoy its beauty and charm as much as I did when you are there :)
DeleteCheers!
Istanbul is high up on my bucket list because it offers such a rich history of both the Ottoman and Muslim culture, as evident from the mosques you have captured beautifully in your photos. I'd love to check out that grand bazaar and more of this charming city!
ReplyDeleteHi Nathan, thanks for stopping by!! Indeed, its the encouraging comments from readers like you that makes me want to capture and share more beautiful photos of the places that I have visited :) Hope that you will get to explore Istanbul soon and get to know its charming side :)
DeleteCheers!
Istanbul is easily one of the most exotic locations in the world. It is a meeting point of two continents and the influence of cultures is there to see. We have not been there but hope to get there. Of course the Blue Mosque is iconic and we would love to saunter around in its colourful souks too.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy and Vyjay, thanks for reading :) Yes, it is interesting to note that even within Istanbul, there are the European side and the Asian side. It is perhaps the mix of these cultures that makes it such a wonderful place to explore. Hope you will get a chance to visit this wonderful place soon :)
DeleteCheers!