Friday, March 07, 2008

Istanbul 2008

I was in Istanbul on a working trip during Jan 2008. The SQ flight from Singapore heading towards Istanbul transits at Dubai airport. As it was a long flight, I went walking around Dubai airport to exercise my legs alittle during transit.

Photobucket

And I saw something strange. The people there, no matter how well they were dressed, in suits and ties, or in their traditional dressing, were all lying on the floor sleeping. I asked the locals, they said its normal, its the culture. Guess they dont care as much about image as Singaporeans?

Photobucket

Dubai's duty free shopping is huge.

Photobucket

and here are some of my favs.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Back to the flight and carried on the jounery to Istanbul. After another few hours of flight, we were almost reaching and the sun was rising over the horizon.

Photobucket

Hey Look!!! Snow-capped mountains.
Photobucket

Touched down.
Photobucket

Photobucket

After a long flight, we were all happy to land.
Photobucket

Going to the hotel.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

The room. Oppss.... sorry for the mess.
Photobucket

The views
Photobucket

Photobucket

Turkish currency is not commonly found in Singapore. So we had to either change our currency into USD or EURO, then change into their local currency in Istanbul itself. So... Lets go... Wooooo.. Its cold...
Photobucket

The hotel's neighbourhood.
Photobucket

This means money changer
Photobucket

Happied that they have changed money.
Photobucket

THE TRAM

One of the main and most obvious difference between Istanbul and Singapore is its transportation. They have no MRT, but a very efficient tram system.

The tram station.
Photobucket

The tram and its rails
Photobucket

Photobucket

To board the tram, you have to buy a ticket...
Photobucket

Cross the turnstile..
Photobucket

and wait inside a small place like this. The shelter is so small. I wonder what if it rains? or maybe it does not rain over there?
Photobucket

Here comes a tram.
Photobucket

ITS FAST!!
Photobucket

A simple but efficient network
Photobucket

Although it is a different transport system, one thing remains the same as Singapore. The morning working crowd!!!
Photobucket

SEA OF MARMARA

There are many places of interest in town.
Photobucket

As we were walking around town, we came by this park by the Sea of Marmara.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

We were all enjoying the clear sky and blue sea, while one of my friend is always busy sms-ing.
Photobucket

The sky is so clear. There are no clouds at all.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Busy sms-ing again.
Photobucket

Group pix without the busy sms-ing guy
Photobucket

Nice rock.
Photobucket

Lets make use of it to take some good pix.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Mosque everywhere
Photobucket

More pictures
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Can you see the birds flying in a formation? One straight row...
Photobucket

There is one thing you must know about the Sea of Marmara
Photobucket

It is full of Jelly fishes. Thousands of them. Everywhere in the sea.
Photobucket

Please dont fall into the sea, it sure hurts!
Photobucket

Photobucket

I realised that Turkish people love to take photographs. You will know why I say so as you read through this blog entry. We met some locals in the park, and they asked to take photo with us. Why not?
Photobucket

Turkish Fashion
Photobucket

10-15mins walk out of the park will bring you to the Grand Bazaar. Pix taken along the way.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Dont ask me what is this. I dont know.
Photobucket

More pix along the way.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Getting tired.
Photobucket

Reading the map. Where is the Grand Bazaar?
Photobucket

How about asking this soldier?
Photobucket

To get to the Grand Bazaar, we have to cut through this park.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Lets take a break.
Photobucket

Playground in the park. Same as Singapore?
Photobucket

People enjoying the afternoon in the park.
Photobucket

Then came along a group of students. They too asked to be photographed with us. Why not?
Photobucket

Out of the park, FOOD!!
Photobucket

Photobucket

Kids along the way.
Photobucket

FOOD AGAIN!!
Photobucket

GRAND BAZAAR

Photobucket

Where is it? Neh... Up there lor..
Photobucket

Up there lor... can see?
Photobucket

Inside
Photobucket

Its somewhat like the ChaTukChak in Thailand, but with different cultures and styles ofcourse. They have got everything too.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

The building style.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Going out of the Bazaar
Photobucket

Streets outside
Photobucket

Photobucket

FOOD AGAIN!!
Photobucket

Authentic Kebab. They have it in different style of servings.
Photobucket

This place has an overview of the crowd in the Grand Bazaar
Photobucket

BLUE MOSQUE

This is the must see place in Istanbul
Photobucket

At the enterance
Photobucket

View of the Blue Mosque from another angle.
Photobucket

Its surrounding
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

A bollard in a coke design.
Photobucket

Want a drink?
Photobucket

Apple juice, the Turkish way. Here comes the apple
Photobucket

Apple Juice making in progress
Photobucket

Here you go, Enjoy the drink!!
Photobucket

Blue Mosque at night
Photobucket

The road to the Blue Mosque
Photobucket

The mosque and us.
Photobucket

Other buildings
Photobucket

Streets at night
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

CRUISE ALONG BOSPHOROUS

Bosphorous divides Turkey into 2, Europe Turkey on one side, and Asia Turkey on the other. It was an interesting ride.

At the habour
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

We met some Koreans...
Photobucket

Here comes our ship.
Photobucket

Welcome onboard Istanbul 9
Photobucket

Let's go!!
Photobucket

Photobucket

Cold weather + Strong wind = Time for a hot Turkish Tea.
Photobucket

View from the cruise
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Look at those buildings behind me.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

The richer ones have their own yacht.
Photobucket

The not so rich has this
Photobucket

Among the many buildings lies a few fortress
Photobucket

There are 3 suspension bridges (if i never remember wrongly) which links Europe Turkey on the left to Asia Turkey on the right.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Plenty of birds flying around.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

This the Korean whom we met just now at the jetty.
Photobucket

He is a pro photographer
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

His friends, they are teachers in Korea.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Then we met 3 Turkish Girls. Guess their age.
Photobucket

They are only 16. School girls.
Photobucket

As with previous Turkish we had met, they too came and asked for a photo together. This girl ask me to take a photo with her. I said ok. So I sat beside her. When I had sat down, she took my hand, placed it over her shoulders and sat closer to me. I was shocked as I thought muslims are not as open minded.
Photobucket

The cruise dock at the tip of Asia Turkey as a mid point. This is where we can see the Black Sea.
Photobucket

This way to the castle.
Photobucket

Let's go.
Photobucket

The road up.
Photobucket

Its a long walk up the hill.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Along the way, there is a military barrack.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Almost there.
Photobucket

Here we are, the Black Sea at the opening in the far end.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Hey, dont jump!!
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

There are many others around.
Photobucket

Gateway to the castle
Photobucket

The dark side of us.
Photobucket

The castle
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Different views of the castle
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Me taking photo
Photobucket

Japanese lady reading.
Photobucket

This dog is feeling the itch all over.
Photobucket

Photobucket

The small fishing town at the foot of the hill.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

The ice cream seller ask me to take a photo for him, with him wearing my sunglass.
Photobucket

Me having ice cream in a cold weather.
Photobucket

Lets go back
Photobucket

OTHERS

Authentic Kebab seller
Photobucket

Photobucket

Turkish Shoe Polisher
Photobucket

Turkish 4D
Photobucket

Turkish Delight
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home