Istanbul, Turkey - Part 2 of 2

This is part two of my article about Istanbul. In this part you will find more about the Galata Tower, the Galata brdige, and my experiences in Kadiköy on the Asian part. You will also find pictures about the Grand Bazaar and the Sultans Palace Topkapi. Last but not least, my overall conclution about my stay in Istanbul. This is part 2 of 2

Table of contents

Visiting Friends

Galata tower
Galata tower

Close-up
Close-up

When my former guest from Edirne, Özlem, came on Saturday to Istanbul, we had breakfast in a small restaurant outside. We went up the Galata Tower near Taxim. From there, you have a beautiful view over the city center.

Blue mosque from Galata tower
Blue mosque from Galata tower

A picture of the Fatih district
A picture of the Fatih district

After taking some nice shots, we went down to the Galata bridge.

Galata bridge
Galata bridge

Some fisherman
Some fisherman

Kadiköy  (on the Asian part)

Afterwards we headed to the Asian Part, Kadiköy.

Crossing the river
Crossing the river

On the way: Kiz kulesi
On the way: Kiz kulesi

The ferry we used to cross
The ferry we used to cross

We spent a couple of hours in Kadiköy and had tea in a very nice confectionery. The weather changed on that day very often: Sunny, rainy, thunderstorm and again sun.

A train station
A train station

Selling simit
Selling Simit

Selling Shishas/water pipes
Selling Shishas

Smoking Shisha :-)
Smoking Shisha :-)

Another spy-cat!!!
Again a spy-cat!?

W.T.F.?
W.T.F.?

Later on

Late afternoon, Özlem and I met again with Esra in a "chocolate house", which was a bit hidden, but still close to Taxim.

Hot chocolate with a chocolate spoon :-)
Hot chocolate with a chocolate spoon :-)

Esra and her sister Ela
Esra and her sister Ela

I had hot chocolate with banana flavor. It was really delicious. Even the spoon was made out of chocolate! After a while, Özlem had to go home to Edirne. It didn't take long, because Esra's sister Ela came to the chocolate house.

I always try to eat something traditional when I travel, and I did this successfully in Turkey. Esra and Ela showed me a place which is famous for its "Dürüm". It was good, but it was a "bit" spicy :-)

Esra and Ela eating Dürüm
Esra and Ela eating Dürüm

... and I also tried! Watch my face :-)
... and I also tried! Watch my face :-)

After having something to eat, we went to a bar. We drank "Raki" with water. It's also called the "Lions Milk".

I bought a bottle of "Rakisi" in one of the stores close by Esra's flat and we continued having fun at her place...

Me drinking Raki
Me drinking Raki

On Sunday I decided to go to Edirne (See article)

My last day

Eyüp Mezarligi
Eyüp Mezarligi

On Monday, the last day in Turkey, Esra and I went to a cemetery called Eyüp Mezarligi. We had breakfast there. Sound strange? Well it wasn't, because it's also a kind of a park. From the top of the mountain, you really have a good view. There is even a cable car to the top.

Cable car!
Cable car!

Esra and me having breakfast!
Esra and me having breakfast!

By the way: We had breakfast at 1pm. :-)

Esra had to go to an important appointment, so I had to walk around alone that afternoon. I decided to visit the Sultans Palace Topkapi-Palace. I spent almost two hours in that area.

Gatekeeper close to the palace
Gatekeeper close to the palace

Topkapi-Palace
Topkapi-Palace

I must say, the Sultan knows how to live a good life. He had a couple of women and even a bed for up to six persons. But from another viewpoint, he could have had a stressful life… Handling all those women? Sometimes even one woman can be hard enough to handle! :-p

The bed of the sultans suits more than two people :-)
The bed of the sultans suits more than two people :-)

Nice viewpoint!
Nice viewpoint!

Ying&Yang in the palace area :-)
Ying&Yang in the palace area :-)

After the Sultans Palace, I went to the "Great Bazaar". It was amazing and I even managed to get myself lost. (But don't worry, I found my way back) :-)

Grand Bazaar Entrance
Grand Bazaar Entrance

Inside the Grand Bazaar
Inside the Grand Bazaar

A shop selling lamps
A shop selling lamps

I strolled about this area, took some more pictures of course, and then headed back to Esra.

Whatever this is, at least I knew I am in Turkey :-)
Whatever this is, at least I knew I am in Turkey :-)

A tower?
A tower?

Another mosque
Another mosque

Sun began to set down
Sun began to set down

Sunset
Sunset

I headed back to the spice bazaar.

Narrow streets...
Narrow streets...

From the Galata Bridge
From the Galata Bridge

Watching the sunset
Watching the sunset

... and then taking a "taksi" back to Esra's place
... and then taking a "taksi" back to Esra's place

Esra and her sister Esla cooked a typical Turkish dinner and invited Eshra and a mutual friend of theirs from Australia (sorry dude for not remembering your name!).

Esra and Ela prepaired food!
Esra and Ela prepaired food!

And the bottle of Raki
A bottle of Raki

We drank the Rakai and got "tipsy", but just a bit :-)

But I had to go... Go back to the airport. I was a bit worried, because I had to leave and catch my flight at 4:40 in the morning back home to Bratislava/Vienna....

Conclusion

Hospitable, cute, smart - My hostess Esra
Hospitable, cute, smart - My hostess Esra

It was really a very cool trip and I definitely enjoyed it. My conclusion this time is short: I am going to Istanbul again this September :-)

Galleries

Part 1

Napoléon Bonaparte once said: "If the whole world was a state, Istanbul would be the capital of it". Well he actually used Constantinople istead of Istanbul :-) So I actually had to visit the capitol of the world and I really liked it! I took about 900 pictures, but don't worry, I already selected the best ones. I couchsurfed again and I had a very nice hostess: Esra. She made my stay even better.
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