So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters...
By Metallica
Right now time is 02:25 AM in Istanbul and I suddenly recognized that, how fast time has gone from my life and I asked that question, what is next to do... It's been over 2 years and I yet haven't posted anyhing about Istanbul. In this blog, I invite you to join me to discover the city where I'm currently living. For sure, I don't intend to make you feel overwhelmed because Istanbul used to be capital city for two great empires and there's too much legacy after both of them. I'm planning to give you some basic information what to do here and I've a guest from Azerbaijan. I'll rediscover some places with my guest so let us begin...
First of all Istanbul is the meaning of real chaos of dictionary. It literally means that, if you get lost in a minute or you figure it out a place on your own and you wouldn't see it on Google Maps then the party has began...
First Day
I'm bringing you immediately most attractions places in Istanbul. The monument behind back of me is called "Dikilitaş" and what I can only say about this, I really wanted to live in that times. The time when the art was real art. This place was used to be hippodrome where Rome games played around here.
Sultanahmet or rest of the world says Blue Mosque. Every Sultan, King or Tsar would want to leave a sign behind back of them. It's symbol of Sultan Ahmet and built beginning of 16th century. This isn't just a mosque but more. This mosque is the way of speaking for art. Why in the present we're not capable of building kind of these mosques, anymore ? We lost our skills to build them or most important thing is that our faith has changed to money...
I don't dare to explain about Hagia Sophia but I take your attention that you no longer need to buy a ticket for entrance. Politic is something which all people feel that they're right and I'm not sure we sacrificed Hagia Sophia for some intriques. But it's already changed to mosque from a museum.
Paying 3 or 5 dollar for Turkish ice cream and having trick. It's a good deal. I take your attention, we're two energetic guys who walk on the streets randomly and we intented to come back here. That's why if you're limited by time, mark up places on Google Maps and you start from A to B.
Come'n, you started walking from Aksaray to Eminönü didn't you ? There's no need to use any transport if you're not having any problem with your legs. Every corner of Istahbul has its unique side and I want you to walk around as much as you can. "Balık Ekmek" is something you definitely should taste at Eminönü.
Second Day
Starting your day with a Turkish Coffee makes your day ! It's guaranteed by me :)
Burası Kadıköy Buradan Çıkış Yok !
I exactly remember why and when I gave up supporting football team but it still doesn't give up on me. My friend is a fan of Turkish footbal team which is called Fenerbahçe. I also used to love it 14 years ago when it's light was shining in the Europe.
I'm talking about Kadıköy Stadium. Due to innovations we couldn't buy ticket but we still felt spirit of stadium at a cafe around that. Yeah, I'm in mood.
Yes, Alexsandro De Souza even was the player I respected and we sincerely loved him.
We spent whole day only for a match between Fenerbahçe and Gaziantep but it's worth to do it if you're fan of team. I don't ensure you that our teams play as well as British teams do but our fans really complete unfinished work. People go there to stress out and you might even not hear your own voice at stadium.
Because of coronavirus has changed working hours and aren't reliable. That's why, I'll leave some links you can get the point where to go in Istanbul.
Ulaşım
Metro İstanbul
Otobüs İstanbul
We caught last steamboat in time and our happiness is possible to read from our faces.
Ah İstanbul, İstanbul Olalı a song by Sezen Aksu. You should definitely listen to it in this atmosphere.
Third Day
We're now heading to Istanbul Aquarium where you'll meet hundreds of fishes. We leave home early to not have problem with traffic. Traffic is the biggest problem of Istanbul and take a note with red pen about it.
There're cafes, restaurants around aquarium where you can have Turkish breakfast.
Kara göründü, Kaptan !
I'm so thoughtful person and leaving you its link below ;)
Askerlik hatırası, olmazsa olmazımız !
Ohh, interesting !
That's great, I mean it's very a huge aquarium which animals are capable of living easily. I ensure you, they take care of them more than me :)
Animals are remarkable alives and they inspire us to understand of universe. Remember that, we're in Istanbul and it's time to visit Panorama 1453 History Museum.
It's used actual cannons and weapons that used in the battle. They're over 500 years old !
This video helps you understand how much they were strong. They were real nuclear bombs for that time.
Konstantiniyye'nin Fethi
You'll have 360° panoramic view of the battle that gives the feeling of travelling back in time to 1453 to see the battle of Istanbul conquering by Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han.
Bring your own earphones if you want to use audio guide!
Have a look at website ! It's useful.
Panorama 1453
This battle isn't only about how much power they used to have but it's the strategic. Words are meaningless to explain it for me.
The battle isn't something I can support even side of us but we have to learn how to live each other after all !
I announce today as the day of history if it still doesn't exit kind of date then I made it already :)
We got to Istanbul Archaeological Museum from Istanbul Panorama 1453 by tramway.
I don't remember why I did this in front od Medusa.
Yes, I'm with bodyguards.
Can you hear what they are talking about ?
I want to have one too !
Haydi lili lili yar (let's melt our belly)
Allah taksiratını affetsin ama büyüklük taslamayacaktın. Bak, böyle taş olursun işte!
Himm, interesting !
I'm building a bridge between me and remarkable history.
There's too much king. I'm also King of myself. It's enough to see Mezopotamya let's go to somewhere darker.
Basilica Cistern is used to film industry but there's already some vestibules where you can get lost forever. I'm not joking this time.
Legacy of Glory Rome I've to say goodbye to you but I'm leaving with new wisdom.
Tatlı rüyalar sanada.
Even I'm Muslim, I love to visit to churches. I can feel some peace there.
Eyup Sultan Mosque is somewhere you should pin it at top list to do. Around mosque you can shop, buy souvenirs, have ice cream. When I was a kid, we came here several times to pray and I remember unforgettable childhood memories here. You can taste traditional dishes, and you are able go to Pierre Loti directly from there.
This hill is dedicated to a French writer, Pierre Loti. To be honest, I'm not interested in knowing about France but there're some French novels, I would love to reread over and over again.
You can get top of hill by cable car ride or you walk all the way up if you're not scared to across a cemetery. Using Istanbul Card is available at cable car.
Having an amazing viewpoint with Turkish tea.
Istanbul is the city you should definetly visit logically. You can get stuck in traffic anytime, you might have problem more than other cities do and anything that happens in this life. I'm not telling you because of I want you to fear but make a list when and how you can visit places. The best tip is have a friend who knows Istanbul like me 😎
We arrived to Miniaturk by minibus from Pierre Loti.
Price at cafe in Miniaturk is affordable. Don't forget to drink your Turkish Coffee in front of museum !
It's a good idea to visit Miniaturk if you've a few hours for Istanbul.
I just don't want to share too much photos because of it kills wanting to visit a city, in my opinion. But the most attractive photos are okay.
Fifth Day
I exactly remember that I said, "look my brother, you're visiting to a city where you've never been before. You're luckily, because you've me. Try to extand your days here as much as you can. What is the rush to go back to Baku if you're having unbelievable moments with me :)" We had really good time each other on August of 2019.
Coronavirus might influence badly to traveling for next years. But we did our best what we could in right time and right time is always right now.
You already know there are some islands in Istanbul where you can visit don't you ? Kınalı Ada is one of them and we bought our shorts to swim.
It was really clean but pay attention to border of sea with orange warning stuff !
Here is the link where you can find other islands.
Last Day
It's time to say goodbye to you with Turkish breakfast.
Visiting to Fatih Mosque makes me feel more confident on this lands.
A gift from my Russian friend which made is in Dagestan.
It's not just a tomb but telling you exactly about who rests in peace here.
You can see Ortaköy Mosque in social media. It's one of the most attractive mosques in Istanbul. It seems to me like it's talking to sea in a secret language.
Prepare yourself for a sea trip. It was 5 dollars from Ortaköy Mosque side. It's much cheaper than others. But at least you've to wait till it gets full or time's up.
Dolmabahçe Palace stole already my heart that night.
Topkapı Palace is really a modest one. You'll understand it when you visit there.
You can only see hundreds of threes in a cemetery.
Edirnekapı cemetery is a place where most famous Turkish folks stay in peace. There's also a place where people gave up their lifes for the country. If you're a citizen of Turkey and then you definetly have to come here.
Nuri Paşa, seni tanıdığıma şadam.
Living a city for years doesn't mean you know it as well. I faced my ignorance countless until now. I know Istanbul is a metropolitan city but this time I can do more to rediscover. But I'm sure that, when things go back to normally and I'll fix my situation here well as I plan then I'll post and make videos about one of the unique cities.
in 21st century you can have some information from a city which you don't need to be there physically. But nothing never ever can change the feeling of visiting a country where you'll meet locals, having some issues but also building new friendships there. I can exactly say that, I've tasted it and it still forces me to do more.
With this blog I recognized that, I yet don't know enough well about this city. Of course I'm maybe much better than other locals but this doesn't satisfy me. I know, I can do more and I'll. See you next time guys, thank you for reading my blog. Have a great day !
