Saturday 17 May 2014
Notes on Istanbul
Travel notes below; for Istanbul in pictures, click here. Happy 30th birthday to me! Istanbul provided more than could be imagined. Our home for the weekend was Karakoy; an up and coming neighbourhood on the north bank. We did Airbnb and were well looked after by Aylin. Our breakfasts were amazing - I'm still getting cravings as I tuck in to my now rather boring bowl of muesli.
Arriving late afternoon on Friday we took the metro and tram from the airport, settled into our abode with a beer and then headed out for dinner at Lokanta Maya, which we gave 9/10 only because the food was ever so slightly too quick coming out.
On Saturday we wondered up to Hagia Sophia but it was so crazy busy that we took the opportunity to enjoy some watermelon from a street vendor in the gardens overlooking Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. We then took the tram back up to Karakoy and strolled around the streets of Cihangir and Beyoglu - antique and junk shops galore here ... be very careful! We ended up in Taksim Square (where thankfully the protesters had finished prostesting two days before). Dinner was Aheste near Galata Tower, which gets an astounding 10/10. If you go to Istanbul, you have to go here.
Sunday was quieter on the European side so we hopped over to Asia. We got on the first boat we could find which went to a place called Kadikoy, which had the most amazing fresh produce market and we sat and ate fish at a place that I unfortunately cannot name but there are so many to choose from you can't go far wrong. The highlight of the market though was this superb Turkish delight shop called Sekerci Caferde - it was cheaper and more delicious that the stuff you find at the spice bazaar back on the European side. Sunday dinner was a mackerel kebab cooked by a street vendor and his son next to the Bosphoros, washed down with a couple of Turksih beers and it was heavenly.
On Monday we rose early and headed to the Bascilia Cistern. We also went inside the Blue Mosque and ticked of the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, although both were a little touristy for my liking. The real markets are more authentic and while you probably wont find much that you want to buy (unless you're really into polyester) there are a few fabric shops tucked away with amazing cheap and beautiful fabrics; I picked up some cotton florals for some summer dress making...eek!
Istanbul you stole my heart and a place in my top three (for now); thank you Declan.
Arriving late afternoon on Friday we took the metro and tram from the airport, settled into our abode with a beer and then headed out for dinner at Lokanta Maya, which we gave 9/10 only because the food was ever so slightly too quick coming out.
On Saturday we wondered up to Hagia Sophia but it was so crazy busy that we took the opportunity to enjoy some watermelon from a street vendor in the gardens overlooking Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. We then took the tram back up to Karakoy and strolled around the streets of Cihangir and Beyoglu - antique and junk shops galore here ... be very careful! We ended up in Taksim Square (where thankfully the protesters had finished prostesting two days before). Dinner was Aheste near Galata Tower, which gets an astounding 10/10. If you go to Istanbul, you have to go here.
Sunday was quieter on the European side so we hopped over to Asia. We got on the first boat we could find which went to a place called Kadikoy, which had the most amazing fresh produce market and we sat and ate fish at a place that I unfortunately cannot name but there are so many to choose from you can't go far wrong. The highlight of the market though was this superb Turkish delight shop called Sekerci Caferde - it was cheaper and more delicious that the stuff you find at the spice bazaar back on the European side. Sunday dinner was a mackerel kebab cooked by a street vendor and his son next to the Bosphoros, washed down with a couple of Turksih beers and it was heavenly.
On Monday we rose early and headed to the Bascilia Cistern. We also went inside the Blue Mosque and ticked of the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, although both were a little touristy for my liking. The real markets are more authentic and while you probably wont find much that you want to buy (unless you're really into polyester) there are a few fabric shops tucked away with amazing cheap and beautiful fabrics; I picked up some cotton florals for some summer dress making...eek!
Istanbul you stole my heart and a place in my top three (for now); thank you Declan.
Friday 16 May 2014
first days of summer
We had a family day out at the London marathon last month. To me it signified the first days of summer. There's one photo to prove we were watching the runners...
Thursday 15 May 2014
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