We arrived on Monday evening at the new Istanbul Airport and headed straight to the bus terminal where we bought a Havaist ticket and hopped on board the already waiting bus into Taksim. At Taksim we went into the Metro and bought an Istanbulkart card which is for multiple users and can be topped up at many automated machines throughout the city. We then took the Metro one stop to Shishane and our hotel, the Radisson Blu Pera where we were booked in for four nights B&B.
Our personal challenge was to only use our mobile phones as cameras, use maps and ask people for directions and use all forms of public transport, we walked a lot and used the metro, bus, tram and ferry.
Day 1: breakfast at the hotel included halva, a sweet sticky slab of goodness made with milk, pistachio nuts and lots of sugar.
Our first full day was sunny and we set off to Balat and Fener, originally Jewish settlement areas, well known for the pretty painted houses. This is a Unesco heritage site and was easily accessed by bus using our Istanbulkart card.
There are stray cats all over Istanbul, they are fed and watered and look healthy.
We stopped for a Turkish coffee, the coffee is not brewed but boiled in pots on hot sand until it bubbles, then poured and served black with a chocolate coffee bean and some Turkish delight samples from the market stall opposite!
Day 2 to follow!
I love the colorful buildings and I'm glad they take care of the cats. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteYou do see some fascinating places.
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely wonderful Betty. I love all your photos & love that they care for their cats - that one does look healthy. xx
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've been to Turkey a couple of times (many, many years ago) I've yet to visit Istanbul, it was my Dad's favourite city! Your photos are fabulous. I loved that you did a Race Across the World type of trip. Jon drives me insane when he uses his phone to find the way anywhere - he misses so much when he's got his head glued to the screen!
ReplyDeleteThat coffee puts hairs on your chest, doesn't it? I love proper Turkish Delight , we used to buy it as gifts and end up eating it before we got home.
Have you watched Kedi? It's a Turkish documentary about street cats and one of the loveliest films ever! xxx
Istanbul market has always fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on, and stay safe.
Amazing photos Betty. I really feel like I've been on a trip too! Thank you :) x
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