Category: Turkey

  • Turkish Baat 10 : Istanbul and The End

    Continued from Days 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

    Day 10

    We were supposed to leave only at 11 from the hotel, but we woke up early because…shopping! In addition to the more famous Grand and Spice markets, there is also one near the Blue Mosque called Arasta Bazaar. The internet had some good things to say about it. It was very close to the hotel, and we reached by 9. The shops were just beginning to open. It is smaller than the other two. We found some super cushion covers, but otherwise, it actually seemed pricier than the other markets.

    We bid goodbye to the hotel by 11, and this time, reached the airport in just an hour! After doner kababs for lunch, we did some duty free shopping and boarded the flight. The flight to Doha had no in-flight entertainment and I had to restrain myself from finishing the book I had brought! The flight was a bit delayed and we had to make a run for the connecting flight! We were warned by the Istanbul duty-free salesman that they might not let the liquor through, thankfully spirits dampening didn’t happen. (more…)

  • Turkish Baat 9 : Back in Istanbul

    Continued from Days 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

    Day 9

    Since it was going to be our last night in Turkey, we began searching for a restaurant with a view and found Olive. We asked the Sokulla Pasa reception to book a table for dinner. After breakfast, we were picked up, at 8.20 but then spent the next hour roaming around the hotel picking up and dropping people! Finally, at around 10, we landed up at the first palace in our itinerary – Dolmabahçe Palace. This was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans after Topkapi Palace. We were told that after the then Sultan visited Europe and saw the residences of his counterparts, he felt that his current residence lacked style. Despite not really having the money, he took loans, taxed his subjects and got this built. Now, this ‘little’ home built on EMI is valued at $1.5 bn.  I wondered if a Gates or Zuck could pick it up!

    No photos are allowed inside the palace, but you know… 😀 The place is insanely garish and really looks rich! After the Ottoman sultans were exiled, this was used as a presidential guesthouse for visiting dignitaries and Ataturk, when he dropped in from Ankara. To be noted that this was where he died. I wondered whether the sultans had put a hex on him.  (more…)

  • Turkish Baat 8 : More Cappadocia

    Continued from Days 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

    Day 8

    One of the few days on which we could afford to wake up slightly late. The breakfast view from the Dedeli Konak terrace was quite awesome. This hotel was owned by our tour operator, and he visited every morning. We had seen him the previous day, but since we were in a hurry, we couldn’t chat. He joined us for breakfast, and promised to ensure we got time in the evening for shopping, have a driver ready to take us around and find good restaurants for us in Istanbul.

    IMG_20150521_081332631 (more…)

  • Turkish Baat 7 : Cappadocia

    Continued from Days 1,2,3,4,5,6

    Day 7

    This was the most highly anticipated day and event in the tour. All the conversations we’ve had about Turkey had this – the balloon ride – as the reference point. We had to wake up at 4 AM though. I heard later that this was also possible during the evening, but it was risky and very few operators dealt with it. Also, nothing like seeing the sunrise. We were picked up in fifteen minutes and taken, shivering, to the meeting point from where we’d get airborne. Before we got on, we had coffee and cake, and watched the balloons being filled up. All of the flame throwing made me think of GoT and dragons. 25 people are allowed per balloon, and once we were in the air, we could see a hundred balloons around! Different colours and at different heights, it was a spectacular sight!

    collage29 (more…)

  • Turkish Baat 6 : Pamukkale, Ephesus

    Continued from Days 1,2,3,4,5

    Day 6

    We woke up early to a wonderful view from the hotel balcony. Breakfast was standard. We checked out on time but the pickup was about 20 minutes late.

    collage23 (more…)