Trip To Turkey 11th November - 18th November 2007

The trip to Turkey was quite an interesting one and we enjoyed every moment of it. We were on a free and easy tour most of the time although we joined in three packages that took us

(a) on a boat cruise between the continents of Europe and Asia by Black Sea . We also visited Beylerbeyi Palace , the summer residence of Ottoman sultans, with its magnificent gardens with the HAREM on the Asian Side. There is also the Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Bridge) which spans from Asia to Europe. Then there was shopping at shops selling traditional hand-weaving silk carpets.
(b) on a full day tour of Green Bursa. It’s the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. We crossed the Gulf by ferryboat ( like the Penang type ) to Yallova ( 40 minutes ) then drive Bursa to visit the Grand Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, famous with their Iznik tiles. Then climbed by cable car to Uludag ( Olympos ) mountain overlooking Bursa for the magnificent panoramic view. Very disappointed trip as it was raining all the way and the view was overcast.
(c) on a cruise in the Marmara Sea to Princes’ Islands retreats for the Byzantine princes famous for their beautiful pinewoods and beaches. We took a ferry from Kabatas. There are four islands all the way namely Kinaliada, Burbaz Adasi, Heybeli Ada and the biggest and most interesting island Buyukada. The journey takes one and half hours. All these islands are dotted with holiday resort homes of the elites. There tourists can enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage among the pine trees after relaxing on the beaches in the numerous coves along its coast.




On our own we visited
(a) Grand Bazaar ( covered market ) . In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4000 shops with each trade having its own area – the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts e.g hand-painted ceramic plates , leather products , textiles etc. Can be reached by bus ( 61B ) direct from Taksin Square
(b) Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque ) within the vicinity of Grand Bazaar also known as Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
(c) Spice Bazaar ( Egyptian Bazaar ) – The air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, saffron, mint, caraway, thyme and other conceivable herb and spice. Adjacent to it has shops selling Turkish delights ( Turkish candies ) , hand-painted ceramic plates , leather products etc. like those in the Grand Bazaar
(d) Canyon Mall – in Levant ; can be reached by Metro ( underground tube from Taksin Square; fare 2.6 YTL one way. Exit from Levant. - an elite shopping mall where branded goods are sold . It’s the shopping mall for the rich.
(e) Taksim Square – within walking distance from our hotel – Hotel Kervansary located in Taksim, a central location of Istanbul. It’s a busy town centre with lots of shops catering all sorts of food , ranging from restaurant-types to roadside stalls , money exchange, mini market and traders. All modes of transport ( buses, taxis , trams , Metro (undergound tube) , funicular have their bases here. It’s 20 minutes drive from the airport.