Istanbul, Turkey

The internet here in Malaysia is damn slow. I usually give up half way through the photo loading process and that explains the lack of updates.

Anyway, back to Istanbul, Turkey. I will let the photos do the talking. Don't want to bore you with the history and backgroud. Just enjoy the beauty of Turkey through the photos.

ISTANBUL - from the window of the bus. My first impression of Turkey: clean, modern, beautiful, magnificent - A VERY VERY NICE PLACE.


Upon arrival, we went to get a glimpse of The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Camii). Visited the mosque the following morning as it was already closed by the time we reached.


Outside the mosque (basically everywhere around Istanbul), we saw people selling this donut-shaped bread known as "simit" if I am not mistaken. Looks delicious..at only 0.5 TLR (turkish lira) about RM 1.40


But first bite felt like biting a piece of rock. I guess eating it with a cup of turkish coffee will be alot better. The taste was okay.


The beautiful Ayasofya opposite the Blue Mosque. We also visited this place the following morning.


Our main destination that evening was the Topkapi Palace about 5 minutes walk from Ayasofya. Completed in 1465, it served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1853.


Located between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, the palace has a splendid view of the Bosphorus (Istanbul Strait).


At night, we went for belly dancing dinner. Man, those pretty girls can really shake their belly.


We also saw some folk dance. Impressive...


First day in Istanbul was enough to leave an impact. Just beautiful. Coming up next - More on Blue Mosque, Ayasofya and also the Grand Bazaar. (Just give me some time ok.. it is really frustrating that the internet here is so so so slooooooow)