Exploring Istanbul Turkey

A few months ago I had the pleasure of visiting one of the most beautiful and historic countries in the world: Turkey. Arriving in Istanbul, my senses were immediately overwhelmed. The taxi driver was manoeuvring in-and-out of old, tiny cobbled streets, while a mix of locals and tourists walked briskly amongst the cars and buses. In the distance, the prayer bells rung out across a beautiful canvas pairing the Bosphorus with an array of beautiful architecture, highlighted by the city's peerless, majestic mosques.

Each day in Istanbul was an adventure, whether visiting the grand sites like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, or spending hours haggling over kilim while sipping turkish coffee after turkish coffee with the shop owners.  A highlight of the stay was wandering the streets around Karaköy, an up-and-coming neighbourhood peppered with small boutiques and cafés, not to mention the best simit (a kind of turkish bagel) place I was able to find. I loved talking with different shop owners, artists and locals who lived there.

Unfortunately, I was only in Istanbul for 4 days, but it was enough to make me want to come back again soon to visit this wonderful city filled with culture, history and beauty. 

 

The Hagia Sophia

 

 

                                                             Istanbul just before the sunset. 

 

Cats rule Istanbul. Everywhere you turn your head, there is a cat lounging and taking a rest. 

  

Istanbul

 

Traditional Turkish coffee

 

 

Streets of Istanbul 

 

 

Watching a man make simit bagels in Karaköy.

 

 Sipping Turkish coffee while searching through thousands of handmade kilim. 

 

Arasta Bazar 

 

Sipping Traditional Turkish Tea