Monday, December 20, 2010

One Day in Istanbul

Using 2 days holiday, 17-18 December 2010 (National Day in Qatar) I went to Istanbul.
Istanbul was kind of special city for me, since Istanbul was the first city I visited in my backpacking experience about 10 years ago (1999) in my 3-weeks traveling to Europe.
I visited again Istanbul the second time in 2003 when I graduated from university, but that time, my friend and I didn't get around the city, we just stopped at a travel agency and bought ticket to Morocco and Cappadocia.
This time, even if only 2 days (practically only 1 day and 1 night), I got the chance to see Istanbul.
With a local friend, we watched the Sema dance, the dance which several men keeps rotating.
This dance is a religious thing practiced by Mevlevi sect. The event was part of Istanbul European Cultural Capital 2010, held at Yenikape Mevlevi. The ceremony was crowded by people, mostly tourist.
After the ceremony, we went to Taksim Square, and had some beer in a place near Istiqlal Street. The place was full of people since it was Friday night. We went to a club called Tekyon after that.
The next day, we visited incredibly beautiful Blue Mosque, magnificent Aya Sofia, and the palace Dolmabahce.
Here are 5 things I like about Istanbul:
1. The food, unfortunately this time, I almost tasted nothing of the food... :(
2. The people, friendly and hospitable, especially my local friend.
3. Transportation is convenience, with metro and tram.
4. Blue Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosque I have ever visited.
5. Dolmabahce Palace, a wow luxurious palace, a enjoyable guided tour is a must and included in the price. Beautifully located near the sea.
There are so many things I still want to see (like underground Basilica church and Grand Bazaar) and do (like Hamam the Turkish Bath), will certainly visit this city again.
Istanbul has become one of my favourite cities.
Few traveling notes:
- I stayed in Saruhan Hotel (http://www.saruhanhotel.com/), double room for EUR 25, big and clean, and free WiFi. I can recommended this hotel. Sister hotel of more well-known Marmara Guesthouse.
- For Indonesian passport, visa can be easily gotten on arrival in the airport for USD 25. The bad thing was the qeue for the immigration was very long, almost lined for an hour.
- From the Ataturk Airport to the city, used Metro1 then transfer to Tramvai. 1 jeton for 1 ride costed TL 1.75.
- Beer was TL 5. Sandwich with oyster inside was TL 5. Soup was TL 3.5.
- Many ATM's around the city to get cash. Used Citibank ATM at the airport. Some ATM can deliver USD and Euro.
- The temperature was cold, about 5 degC. Though when I was there, the weather was good, luckily, normally it is rainy or even snowy during winter time (December - January).

Sema Dance

a cat elegantly in front of a barber shop

Blue Mosque

the park between Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque

Aya Sofia

Dolmabahce Palace

at Istiqlal Street near Taksim Square

from the Tramvai

backbacking in Istanbul :)

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