Passport to the World: Istanbul - Sultanahmet District

Alhamdulillah...

At last, I've tasted the spring beauty in Turkey with the whole family - my Eejal, Hayra, Emyr, Abah, Mak, Ayah, Mak, Fizal and Epi.

The Turkey plan came in 2010 but due to my second pregnancy and Spain came first, we made it to reality in 2013. I've started with the tentative plan in October last year. We didn't go for a ready-made tour but decided to customize it. So, I booked the flight ticket via MAS website, the hotel via Booking.com and the private tour with the local operator in Istanbul named True Blue Tour, after some information that I got from tripadvisor.com.

On 16 April morning, I called for Sunlight Taxi to pick us up at 8pm and they were punctual as usual. Once we reached KLIA, we went straight to the check-in counter and took our boarding pass for the 12.30am flight with MH30.

Hayra was so excited - 'Nak naik aeroplane..nak naik aeroplane!!'she said.

Throughout the flight journey, I was so blessed that both Hayra and Emyr behaved nicely and made us not having so much problems in handling all of their demands.

Almost 10 hours later, we were already at Attaturk International Airport. While waiting for the door to be opened, I was in awed after the stewardess gave the information on the weather in Istanbul which was 10degrees (mak aihhhh....apsal sejuk cam autumn/winter lak ni). Luckily that I brought along the strollers' weather shield for the children.

After we have settled all the immigration matters, I saw my name at the entrance door and the guy from True Blue Tour was already there with our transport to the hotel.

It was such an eye-refreshing introductory journey for us.

About 45 minutes later, we were already in front of our hotel - Turcomania Suites at Sultanahmet area. And, I was so thrilled to look at how near our hotel with the famous Blue Mosque.

Tentatively, we thought that we might have a glimpse of Sultanahmet area first because it was 9am and the check-in time would only be at 1pm. However, Mr. Osman - the owner of the hotel was generous enough to give us the permission to check-in at that time, just because of the children. How sweet of him to do that. Thank you Mr. Osman.

Once we were inside the room, we were satisfied. We didn't expect for it to be a lavish room and this hotel a.k.a apartment suited nicely for our 5 nights stay.

At 12pm, we went down to the Küçük Ayasofya street (the hotel street) and waited for a van from True Blue Tour to pick us up.

A lady named Mehtab greeted us and brought us to the tour office for the final payment process.

After we made the final payment, Mehtab led us to Grand Bazaar to change our money into Turkish Lira. Then, we passed by Cemberlitas district and went straight back to the Sultanahmet Square.

In the Sultanahmet Square, we saw the tulips, and really excited about it.

Then, we continued to walk and took some pictures with Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome as our background.

Later that evening, we (myself, mr.hubby and my brothers) started to walk to Hodjapasha Culture Centre to taste our first time experience with Mevlevi Sema Ceremony (Sufi Mevlana).

At about 9pm, we were already back at the Sultanahmet area and Wow!! what a sight of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque at night.

And yes, a compulsory picture of me with the beautiful tulips.

And, a breathtaking view of the Blue Mosque from our hotel.

On 18 April, we were really excited to start our private tour. But, we need to take our breakfast first. Time was running out because it was 8.50am and the representative from True Blue Tour was scheduled to come at 9am. Finally, we decided to eat at this restaurant, just in front of our hotel. The restaurant decoration was so nice.

While we're enjoying our simple breakfast, the tour lady was already there so I asked her to give us another few minutes to finish the food. Later, she introduced herself and asked us to call her Elif. She said that due to the weather condition, she has to change the itinerary. So on that day, we're going to have a walking tour at the Sultanahmet Square.

First, we passed by the Arasta Bazaar - a cosy bazaar that would give you a better feeling to shop without any hassle. It was a really nice environment. I liked it here.

Once we were in front of the Blue Mosque, Elif suggested for us to sit so that she could give some information about Istanbul history.

The site of Istanbul was ruled first by Myceane (1400 BC), then Frigians and then Chalcedons (a Greek people). Up to the conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) by Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih in 1453, the city was the centre of the Byzantine empire. After that date, it became the centre of the Turki Uthmaniyah empire.

Istanbul is exceptionally situated on both sides of the Strait of the Bosphorus that separates Europe from Asia. It is the largest and most known city in the world to straddle two continents, Asia and Europe, and the only one to have been a capital during two consecutive empires - Christian and Islamic.

Napoleon Bonaparte is quoted as saying, "If the Earth were a single state, Constantinople would be its capital"

After about 30 minutes briefing on history of Istanbul, we proceeded to the Hippodrome. Over there, we stopped for another story-to-tell from Elif. Here, my mom took the opportunity to have some moments with the beautiful tulips.

Back to Hippodrome, once the cultural focus of the Byzantine Empire and now the site of the city park. It was known as the Atmeydani (horse arena) during the Turki Uthmaniyah empire, served as an athletic ground in Byzantine. The construction of this arena begun in 203 A.D. and it could seat 100,000 spectators on 40 rows.

At this area, we also saw the Obelisk of Theodosius which was originally erected by the Pharoah of Egypt, Tutmosis III in front of the Karnak temple in Luxor in 1490 B.C. for the victories Egypt won in Mesopotamia. Emperor Theodosius had it moved to Istanbul in 390 and it was re-erected onto a marble plinth. So, this gigantic obelisk is almost 3,500 years old.

Then, we proceeded to the Serpent Column - one of the oldest pieces of art in Istanbul, the Snake Pillars was originally erected in the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and brought by Emperor Constantine in 324. (One of the snake heads is exhibited in the Archeology Museum).

The Masonry Obelisk (below picture) is commemorated with the name of Emperor Constantine who had the obelisk repaired in the 10th century.

After we finished with our picasa moment, at 10.45am, Elif led us to the famous Blue Mosque that was built between 1609 and 1616.

This mosque, began its construction in 1609, is the only mosque built with six minarets. It is known as the Blue Mosque, owing to the glazed tiles decorating its interior. It is probably the most famous of Istanbul’s landmarks and most visited monument in the city. The mosque was built on part of the site that was once the Great Palace of the Byzantines. The Daphne and Sacred Palaces stood where the mosque is now built

Once we entered the main entrance, we just knew that we have to face with the long queue.

At about 11.30am, we were already inside the mosque and Wow...what a sight!!

Here, abah and ayah took the opportunity to perform solat sunat.

..and we waited patiently.

At about 12pm, we made our move to Hagia Sophia.

The nearby park was indeed so beautiful.

Next, it was time for Hagia Sophia.

Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece, used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years. It was for 1,000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. It has been a museum since 1935. The first Hagia Sophia (built between 324-337) and the second Hagia Sophia (re-opened in 415) were burnt down during the rebellion. Then, Emperor Justinianus build the Hagia Sophia that we see today which was completed in 537.

Once we were inside this amazing building structure, I noticed the detailed mosaic work of this 1500 years building.

Then, I saw the 10th century mosaic showing Constantine offering Virgin Mary the city of Contantinople and Justinian is offering her Hagia Sophia.

Here, the Narthex.

Once I passed through the Imperial Door, I was so disappointed due to its on-going restoration work. But, I wiped away the disappointment and examined the whole huge masterpiece.

Hadis ini telah diungkapkan Rasulullah SAW lebih kurang 800 tahun sebelum kelahiran Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih. Rasulullah S.A.W telah bersabda “Konstantinopel akan jatuh di tangan seorang pemimpin yang sebaik-baik pemimpin, tenteranya sebaik-baik tentera, dan rakyatnya sebaik-baik rakyat.” .

Then, in 1453, Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih or else known as Mehmet the Conqueror, conquered Constantinople. When he entered into the Hagia Sophia, he found that the church was in a state of ruin. He led the first Friday prayer there and ordered it to be converted into a mosque. The main structure and mosaics were left untouched and later, it was plastered during Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566), until Mustafa Kamal Attaturk instructed it to be removed (the plaster).

This dome, for almost 1,000 years, was the biggest dome in the world.

Here, my parents, having their picasa moment with the Mihrab as the background.

After that, Elif suggested us to proceed for lunch. I wish that I could go to the second level of Hagia Sophia and take this picture (this was taken from one of the tourist book),

..but due to time, we have to proceed to the restaurant.

After lunch, we have to walk to the tour office which was just nearby, to keep the strollers inside the office because the next stop would be Basilica Cistern - an impossible place for strollers to be pushed smoothly inside the slippery place.

This is the Basilica Cistern.

Basilica Cistern is the biggest and most spectacular cistern in the city. Thought to be built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, expanded by Justinian in the 6th century and its restorations commenced in 1887. The cistern was built just to ensure an enough water supply for the city. Its shallow water is now home to ghostly patrols of carp and goldfish.

We also saw the medusa heads. The two Medusa heads on the southwest corner discovered when the cistern was drained were probably used as construction materials rather than ornamental. It is thought that the heads were brought to the cistern after being removed from a building of the late Roman period.

Next, we proceeded to Topkapi Palace was built between 1459 and 1465, was both the symbolic and political centre of the Uthmaniyah empire for nearly four centuries until the removal of the imperial retinue to Dolmabahce, by Sultan Abdülmecid I in 1853.

First, we were at the Imperial Gate.

In front of the Imperial Gate, we noticed the big fountain of Ahmet III. This is one of the most historical and magnificent fountains of Istanbul. It was built in 1728 by Sultan Ahmet III on the site of a previous Byzantine fountain called “Peryaton” .

Then, we continued to the First Courtyard. Before this, it was the only part of the palace that open to the public.

We also saw the Hagia Irene on the left side of the courtyard. Originally the church was one of the oldest in Istanbul and was rebuilt at the same time as Hagia Sophia after being burnt down during the Nika riots of 532.

Next, we entered the Second Courtyard through the Gate of Salutation.

Once we were in the next courtyard, we went straight to the Imperial Council or Domed Chamber and the External Treasury.

Here, the background picture is the grille from which the sultan followed the deliberations.

The ceiling ornamentation of the Imperial Council.

Next, we went to the Audience Chamber after we passed by the Gate of Felicity at the Third Courtyard, as well as the Dormitory of the Campaigners and the Conqueror's Pavilion.

The Third Courtyard is like the keep of the castle. When the gates to this courtyard are shut, entry is virtually impossible.

We also found a sea of red tulips at this courtyard.

And, the best place in this palace is the Chamber of the Holy Relics that was built by the time of Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih as the sultan's private apartments.

Among the most important holy relics to be collected were the Holy Mantle of Rasulullah S.A.W; the hair from Rasulullah's beard; the reliquary in which was kept Rasulullah's tooth, broken during Perang Uhud; and the footprints, letters, bow and sword of Rasulullah. Also, the arm relic of Nabi Yahya, the tray used by Nabi Ibrahim, the staff of Nabi Musa, the sword of Nabi Daud, the robe of Nabi Yusuf, the swords of Khalifah Abu Bakar as-Siddiq, Umar al-Khattab, Uthman bin Affan and Ali bin Abu Talib; and Saidatina Fatimah's mantle.

Subhanallah..Subhanallah.

To get the opportunity to see all the holy relics, it was so precious and I shed some tears by looking at those swords (terkenang betapa pedang-pedang ini telah digunakan semasa Perang Badar, Perang Uhud, Perang Khandaq, Perang Khaibar, Perang Hunani, Perang Tabuk dan sbg). I didn't have pictures here because camera is not allowed to be used inside.

Lastly, we made a quick stop at the Fourth Courtyard and WOW, the tulips were so breathtakingly beautiful.

After that, we went straight back to the hotel while our parents proceeded to the Hodjapasha Culture Centre for tonight's Mevlevi Sema Ceremony with mr.hubby as their guide.

On 22 April, our last day here in Istanbul, we managed to have a last-minute shopping at a few places especially Arasta Bazaar before the airport transfer came and pick us at 12.30pm.