The Splendour and Secret of Turkey
When we heard of Turkey, it will trigger our mind about the glorious Ottoman Empire. No doubt that Turkey is beautiful. Not only the country but also the people. At first I was hesitated to go but the opportunity may not repeat again. I asked Tahir to accompany me. At first he agreed but he got to plan and coincide his R&R with his family feast. His sister is going to get marry. I cannot agree to it instead I asked Tengku to join me. He was reluctant at first but after persuation he agreed to follow. I asked Rosmin whether he would join our trip, without question he put his name in.
Dubai International Airport.....departure hall
We booked our flight on the 13th April from Dubai to Istanbul and Agan hotel for our stay. I did everything caused Im the one incharge of the trip....like 'Rombongan Che Kiah ke sukan Komenwel'....We left Khartoum for Dubai on the 12th. We were greeted by Pakdin at Dubai airport and stright to his home. It was almost 2.00 a.m.
Me, Tengku and Rosmi at the souq
Smiling faces....who bought a ring for someone special?
The next day we went to gold souq for a special mission. I got nothing to buy because Im going to spend most of it in Turki. Tengku spent a lot. He bought new nokia hand phone, rings, neckless and many more until i reminded him stop buying. Rosmin bought Canon Ixus 75 digital camera since he had no camera. I bought few jeans for me to wear in Istanbul.
About 12.30 p.m. we when to the airport. The queue was very long and the check in was very slow. Suddenly they announced to check in at the other counter for Istanbul. We have only one hour before the departure time. Unfortunately we were told that the flight was overbooked and they reserved the seats for tomorrow. It was an unpleasant annoucement and we were shocked. It meant that we have to rearrange about hotel and other flights to Malaysia. I started grumbling and it was impossible and we felt so vulnerable now. Inevitably we just have no choice but to accept for tomorrow's flight. The Emirates compensated us with hotel and full meal but the best part they consoled us with free tickets to Turkey or equivalent valid for a year.
Nobody have been to Turkey before but i was fond of Europe since i've spend many times in Europe when i was a student and last year. We touched down at Istanbul airport at 6.00 in the evening. It was spring and the temperature was about 18 degree celcius. It took us about 30 minutes for the clearance. We changed some USD to Turkish Lire which was equivalent to 1USD=1.33YTL.
The taxi took us about 30 minutes to reach the hotel. My god....the fare was 44YTL including the tips. It was a pleasing journey watching tulips blooming in the gardens. Beautiful mosques, buildings and not to miss the people. We were quite worried whether the hotel already cancelled our booking. It was unfortunate, unable to contact or email the hotel about our delay. Mr Asif the front desk manager informed that no rooms available for tonight only. With his warmest welcome he squaded us in his own room. What to do.....that night we were together sleeping in the room with different kind of snoring........
We woke up in the morning and had a breafast at Agan hotel.
The front desk manager Asif with Rosmin during check out
Turkish kebab with rice cost for 4YTL
Tengku.....'Bismillah............'
Enjoying our kebab after shopping
The handsome waiter
The hotel was reasonable and cheap. Since tomorow is Sunday, we got to finish our shopping at the Grand Bazaar today. We started to plan nicely since we have not much time left and tomorow for site seeing. We met Aishah (local lady) on the way and she guided us to the Grand Bazaar. About 8.00 a.m. the Grand Bazaar was opened and you can see continous flow of people rushing to the shops either the customers or the owners. Now I believed that there are thousands of shops with varities of goods were sold and we were astonished with the environment inside. I bought some bangles for my wife and daughters. Next i have to get a new leather jacket and get a leather hand bag for my wife. Bargaining made me felt so tiring. There were no price tags at all and make it difficult for you to jugde whether managed a correct bargain.
Hand painted pottery
The smiling faces....translates various meanings
About 11.00 a.m we went out and have turkish traditional kebab with orange juice. The food was not comparable to Malaysia. It was plain and not hot. We continued our shopping outside the bazaar. I bought few leather wallets and purses for my children and also few t-shirts. But the price was relatively cheaper compared inside the Grand Bazaar. After zohor we went back to Grand Bazaar for a second round shopping. It was exhausted but we must benefit the time we spent.
The minerate of the mosque
The following day was our touring day. We walked to the SultanAhmet Mosque ( The Blue Mosque) immediately after breakfast. The weather was comfortable and pleasent. On the way we were stopped by few men to polish out shoes. I just ignored them coz i know that they were smart enough to get cash from us. We were trapped because Tengku started entertain them. You know what happened???? They ask few lire for the survices. Along the way I started grumbling at Tengku for his over courtious act........When you are travellers you should be precaution with people's help........ada udang di sebalik batu.....
Signages...on the way to the Blue Mosque
The mosque
We reached the blue mosque about 9.00 a.m. In front of the mosque was Aya Sophia. Aya Sophia was a church during the Byzentine ruling and transformed into mosques during the Ottoman and changed into historical monument ( just like a muzeum). 10 lire for the entry. Inside still some renovation work and there were many tourists with their guides. I just felt like living in the Roman Century. You can see murals covering the wall and ceiling. The muslim had camourflage the original painting of potraits with natural design elements.
Aya Sophia...taken from Blue Mosque
Me...in front of Aya Sophia
Me..with security guards
Inside Aya Sophia
The Blue most is very beautiful surrounded by beautiful landscape with varieties of tulips. The dripping of foundtains and water make the environment so mesmerising. We took the oppurtunity to pray sunnatul masjid in the mosque and to get some bounties.
The Blue Mosque
Tulips.....the national flower of Turkey
A real business man...he asked for 4YTL
The Blue Mosque
Turkish ladies.....
Next to Aya Sophia was the palace called Topkapi, where the rules and kings lived. The govenment has converted this palace like an exhibition centre displaying histotical items and treasures of the late rulers. The palace was beautify with green trees, and colourful flowers. There were also small fountains meant for wudhu and drinking. At the back of the palace you can enjoy the wonderful panoramic of the Bosporous Strait with many ships and ferry commuted from the Mediteranient to the Black Sea.
Palace compound
Typical architecture of the palace
Bospourous Strait...view from the palace
The green boulevard
Pretty faces and smiles
About 2.00 p.m. we complete out visit at Topkapi. Tengku was still inside. We were waiting for him and never appear for almost an hour. So we decided to leave him alone. Next trip was Istanbul City Tour which cost us 25YTL per person. The ride was good . We sat on top of the double decker bus. We cruised along the bridge where many people were fishing all day. Just wondered what they did for the rest of the day. Everything were illustrated vide the headphone. You just switched which language was applicable.
Snap.....while waiting for Tengku.....
Rosmin....still single...any offer??
Once we reached the highway, suddently a tyre exlploded. We waited for an hour to get it fixed. Oh...that the spoil of the day........... and now we were stuck in the hussle and bussle of the traffic.
We finish out night life near the jetty. We enjoy the fish very much and cost for 2 YTL for a half. I bought few leather caps, belts and track suits from the street sellers.
Fishermen preparing the BBQ fish kebab
Enjoying the meal
The next day was our last day. We need to rush to the airport by 4.00 p.m. We went to Spice Baazar and Egyptian Bazaar for our final shopping. This place mainly for local and many local products with reasonable price were sold. No need to bargain and you can get a reasonable price. I bought a jilbab for my wife from Leyla and cost us only 30YTL each.
Egytian Bazaar
Buying Turkish delights at Spice Bazaar
Everybody asked me why dont you buy carpets. I have few reasons....first....the price was not cheap. Second it was very heavy and i have to pay extra for the laggage and thirdly it is better for me to get in Malaysia.
Hand made carpets and kilim
The final day we cruised by ferry to the Asian region. There is no different between the two. Mostly of the people from Asia region commute to Europe to work since Istanbul is a big city with 12 million residents. It was chilled and the city was still covered by the fog.

The other side of Istanbul
Dolmabahce palace
Homogeneous design of mosques
The journey was very interesting but 3 days was not enough to cover istanbul...perhaps i might return again with my wife....for the next visit......What can i say about Istanbul is that....people are very nice and friendly and many things you can explore, and dont forget to bring extra money..Perhap my next trip is to go to Greece somewhere in July.

Comments

arifen said…
not...tu pakai leather jacket baru ke?
4:49 PM
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