16 Dec 13
While in Kadıköy, after discovering the beautiful markets and eating delicious Anatolian food, we ventured towards the Fenerbahçe football stadium. These were some of the scenes along the way.
Close by is the posh residential neighbourhood, Moda. We didn’t make it there on our legs unfortunately.
Night time in our second Airbnb apartment.
Some recommendations on what to eat in Kadıköy:
• Halil Lahmacun for lahmacun
• Ciya Sofrasi for comforting Anatolian food
• Fazil Bey for the best Turkish coffee
• Peter Firin bakery
| Tags: 50mm/F1.8, istanbul, nikon FM10, turkey, what to eat in Kadikoy
21 Nov 13
Today I wished I was here, in Gülhane Park, taking a walk through it all. When you’re a tourist, sometimes you tend to glance past wide open spaces and rush toward the ‘must-sees’. Guilty!
Tip: Do visit the Istanbul Archaeology Museums which is next to this park and the famous Topkapi Palace. There are some pretty cool things to see, like sarcophaguses and ‘Istanbul through the Ages’. And also an entire museum dedicated to tiles and ceramics! (This was where Ben couldn’t wait to get out) :>
| Tags: 50mm/F1.8, istanbul, nikon FM10, turkey
14 Nov 13
I overworked my hands today – making poms – so I’m taking the rest of the night off. Freed up some time to do a post so how about that 🙂 A quick word that the shop is updated with new stuff. AND I’m very excited that I’ll be having a stall at this year’s Christmas Pop Up Store! More news when the date draws nearer.
On to the photos, these were all taken while en route to somewhere.
Walked past these colourful facades while heading to the Grand Bazaar
Here’s a peaceful demonstration right outside Shake Shack. Also where we were going to eat.
The magnificent view on our walks back to our Airbnb apartment
This Karaköy tram stop is the closest one to us so we start out from here on most days
We took the tram to Tophane to check out Istanbul Modern. Ended up getting distracted by the Biennale Festival next to it instead. I liked these two pieces! After this, we reached the limit to how much modern art we could take and moved on.
A nice place for breakfast/brunch in the area is Van Kahvalti Evi. It is in the Cihangir neighbourhood, walkable from the Tophane tram stop. There is a massive hill to hike up to get to this place though, like crazy steep. Taking a cab here would be wise.
We stopped for coffee at this cute neighbourhood in Tophane. Also kitten-watched the whole time.
Enjoyed the sea breeze and the sights of men fishing at the Karaköy pier before dinner
The best place to buy baklava is a stone’s throw from the pier. It’s called Karaköy Güllüoğlu and you can’t miss it because there’s always a crowd.
| Tags: 50mm/F1.8, istanbul, nikon FM10, turkey, what to eat, where to go
6 Nov 13
I rarely get to commute by ferry, simply because it doesn’t exist where I live. I find it such a romantic way to travel home after work or a day out. Lucky people who get to do this daily!
In these photos, we took the ferry from Karaköy to Kadıköy (the Asian side of Istanbul).
The New Mosque is on the left and on the right, is the Galata Bridge
The Galata Tower standing tall
The Topkapi Palace surrounded by lush greenery and next to it is Aya Sofya
Aya Sofya on the right and the Blue Mosque on the left
Ferries or sea buses as some websites call it, are cheap and depart every 20 to 30 minutes. We mainly took the ones by the company, Sehir Hatlari, as they were at every pier. Also, make sure to get an Istanbulkart.
| Tags: 50mm/F1.8, istanbul, nikon FM10, turkey
2 Nov 13
How about we start off with the touristy places? All of which also happen to be religious places of worship (except Aya Sofya which is now a museum). The first two are synonymous with Istanbul. And also crawling with tourists. If you dislike crowds too, a tip is to arrive at opening time – usually 9am in these parts. Ben & I concurred that it is less painful to wake up early than get caught behind throngs of tour groups.
First up is Aya Sofya – a Greek orthodox basilica turned mosque turned museum
Below is the Blue Mosque, opposite Aya Sofya, kind of. Two massive structures with a park in the middle of them.
Food tip: After visiting the two mosques, you’d have worked up an appetite so head to Tahiri Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta for meatballs. Order a side of pilaf to go with it, please. They open at 11am, don’t be shy to be first in line, we were. You won’t be sorry.
Next is the New Mosque, it is next to the Spice Market in Eminönü so you can’t really miss it. Can’t really miss the PIGEONS!
The last is the Church of St. Anthony of Padua. It’s along Istiklal Caddesi which is like THE main road in Beyoğlu.
I swear we didn’t just go into mosques and churches in Istanbul! Heh. By the way, can you believe it’s already November?!
| Tags: 50mm/F1.8, istanbul, nikon FM10, places of attraction, turkey
