Istanbul - Cemberlitas, Nuruosmaniye, Eyup, Fatih and Suleymaniye District

On 17 April, after we settled the payment with True Blue Tour, Mehtab, one of the True Blue Tour staff, accompanied us to the Grand Bazaar to change our money into Turkish Lira.

Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest covered bazaar in the world. The bazaar was featured in the 23rd James Bond film Skyfall, as well as Taken 2. It is probably the world’s first shopping centre or mall and dates back to 1461.

We didn't shop here at all because I was told that this place is not a place for you to buy souvenirs because it would be major expensive.

After we changed the money, I told Mehtab to bring us somewhere to eat and she brought us here (a restaurant, just outside the Grand Bazaar).

Once we finished with our lunch, we asked Mehtab to give some time to buy some souvenirs at the bazaar nearby, just outside the Grand Bazaar (it was way way cheaper).

After we have satisfied with the purchase that we just made, we proceeded to walk to the Cemberlitas area. Cemberlitas takes its name from the hooped stone column that was erected during the reign of Constantine the Great and is in the square opposite the Cemberlitas Hamam. 

I just loved this area. It reminded me of Europe.

Then, we passed by the Imperial Road or Divan Yolu which has been one of the most significant in Istanbul’s history since Roman times. The road fell into disuse during Byzantine times and was re-established during Uthmaniyah empire as the Divan Yolu where the Council of Ministers would proceed to their meetings.

Here, an old library.

I was so impressed with the tram system efficiency.

 
Didn't I mention that this place resembled Europe a little bit.

The background, Column of Constantine, was erected in 330 AD after the capital city changed from Rome to Constantinople.

Then, we proceeded to the Sultanahmet Square before we ended our walking activity in front of Turcomania Suites.

On 19 April, after our shopping visit at the Spice Market, Elif suggested us to go to Eyup Sultan Mosque to avoid a jammed-packed schedule for tomorrow. I requested to go to this mosque because it is the first mosque built after the conquest of Constantinople with Abu Abu al-Ansari's (antara sahabat Rasulullah yang disayangi) tomb situated next to the mosque.

It was built on the grave of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the standard bearer of Rasulullah S.A.W.. He died during the siege of Istanbul by the Arabs in 624. Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih tried to search for his grave for so many years and it was found in 1458 after he had dreamed about its actual location of Abu Ayyub's grave.

We took the opportunity to recite Al-Fatihah in front of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari's tomb.

Later that day, Elif sent us back to the hotel.

On 20 April, we were already prepared for our next visit to Fatih District.

Fatih Mosque is another request of mine. The site of the mosque was originally that of a church (Hagion Apostolon) during the Byzantine period. Building began on the mosque 10 years after the conquest of Istanbul in 1463 and was completed in 1470.

Alhamdulillah, we also got the opportunity to recite Al-Fatihah at Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih's tomb. What an opportunity for us.

Then, we continued to the Suleymaniye District for a visit at Suleymaniye Mosque.

Suleymaniye Mosque was built by Mimar Sinan, who is considered the greatest architect of the classical period of Uthmaniyah, between 1550 and 1557 in the name of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. It is one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture.

Sultan Suleyman or Suleyman the Magnificent ruled the Uthmaniyah Empire when it was the most powerful empire on earth. Suleyman was known as “the Magnificent” in Europe, and among his subjects as Kanuni (the lawgiver) for his codification of Uthmaniyah laws. He became a prominent monarch of 16th century Europe, presiding over the apex of the Uthmaniyah Empire's military, political and economic power.

On the left side picture is the Tombs of Sultan Suleyman and his wife. In a break with Uthmaniyah tradition, Suleiman married a harem girl, Roxelana, who became Hurrem Sultan. Their son, Selim II, succeeded Suleiman following his death in 1566 after 46 years of rule.

I just loved this place...so peaceful.

And the mosque itself is being told as the most beautiful mosque in Istanbul and indeed, it was so magnificent. It reminded me more of Mezquita in Cordoba.

Close to the Suleymaniye mosque is the humble tomb of Mimar Sinan, the architect of this mosque.

We took almost an hour at this beautiful mosque. Next, we continued our journey to Dolmabahce Palace.

Istanbul - Eminonu, Sirkeci and Beyoglu District

On 17 April, the day that we arrived in Istanbul, Mehtab brought us to True Blue Tour office for the final payment of the tour. During the short drive, we managed to see Istanbul's beauty from afar.

Then, after the Sultanahmet walk with Mehtab, it was already 5.45pm when we reached the hotel. 45 minutes later, the four of us (myself, mr.hubby, fizal and epi), made our move to Hodjapasha Culture Centre. We were already tired with the walking activity before this but then, we have paid for this culture ceremony and it was going to be our first time experiencing this show, so we need to proceed to this place.

And, we have our short picasa stop as well and yes, the surrounding of  Sirkeci area is so beautiful.

We reached at Hodjapasha Cultre Centre, just before the ceremony started. I tried the Turkish coffee and I'm so definitely sure that I will not try to drink it in the future.:-)

We could only took some pictures before the ceremony started. They didn't allow us to interrupt the concentration of the ceremony.

Hodjapasha is a restored 550 years old Uthmaniyah Hamam (Turkish Bath).

As for the Mevlevi Order, it was established by Sultan Veled, the son of Mevlana, after his death in 1273 within the framework of his father's ideas. It is one of the most important richness of the Turkish culture as a tradition of 800 years.

(The picture below was taken from the pamphlet that was given to us).

Maybe I was really tired because throughout the ceremony, I was so sleepy and tried so hard to concentrate on the dance. All in all, the ceremony was a so so.

The next day (18 April), it was our parents' turn to see the show.

Right after the Topkapi visit,  Mr.hubby accompanied them to this short cut. They walked through the cobbled street named Soguk Cesme (Cold Fountain). As for myself, fizal,epi, hayra and emyr, we went back straight to the hotel.

By walking distance, Hodjapasha wasn't that far from Topkapi Palace.

While waiting for the show to end, Mr.hubby had a re-visit pit stop at Koska - a shop next to Hodjapasha that sells delicious Turkish Delight.

Later, at 9pm, the show ended and they continued to search for dinner at the nearby restaurant.

Next, they went back to the hotel by using the tram.

On 19 April, just after our visit to Camlica Hill, we crossed the Galata Bridge and went straight to Golden Horn for lunch.

The first one to come up with that a bridge should be built on the Golden Horn was the famous Leonardo Da Vinci. The letter that he wrote to the Uthmaniyah Emperor was found in Topkapi Palace in 1952. The first Galata Bridge was ordered in 1845.This Istanbul icon carries a constant flow of locals crossing between Beyoglu and Eminonu.

As for Golden Horn, separating the European side of Istanbul like a horn shape, is a kind of a natural port. It is believed that during the invasion of the Uthmaniyah empire, the Byzantine citizens threw away the gold and valuable objects to the sea from this place, so that they will not be taken away by the Uthmaniyah people. Today, the shores are surrounded by pleasant parks and walking paths.

It was a nice restaurant and the best fact was that, it is under the Galata Bridge.

After lunch, we proceeded to Turyol ferryboat for our Bosphorus cruise excursion, once we were back to the land side, we crossed the street and proceeded to the New/Yeni Mosque and Spice Bazaar which is next to the New Mosque in Eminonu District. Eminonu is a district behind the city walls of Istanbul that is called the Historical Peninsula.

Only in Istanbul would a 400-year-old mosque be called 'New'. It is one of the best known sites in Istanbul and was the last of the imperial mosques to be built. Construction began in 1597 and went on for several decades because of problems with water seepage and funding problems.

The Spice/Egyptian Bazaar was commissioned between 1663 and 1664, is a big bazaar where dry plants, various herbs and spices have been sold throughout history. It is just behind the New Mosque. The main bulk of produce sold was traditional spices. This L shaped bazaar, received goods from Cairo, which is why it has been named as Egyptian Bazaar.

We bought so many things here (due to its better price than the Grand Bazaar) and it wasn't enough for us so we came again the next day and shop for more.

On 20 April, after our visit at Fatih and Suleymaniye mosques, we continued our trip to the Dolmabahce Palace.

While we were walking to the main entrance, we managed to have a glimpse of the most beautiful stadium in the world according to Pele - the Besiktas Inonu Stadium

First, we saw the big clock tower, then the Treasury Door was in front of us.

Dolmabahce Palace was finished in 1856, is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It is a blend of various European architectural styles. The ballroom is the largest of its kind in the world with its colossal crystal chandelier (biggest in the world as well) hangs from the 36 m high dome.

The beautiful Great Garden.

Mabeyn building.

The Saltanat Sea Door.

The Saltanat Door.

We couldn't take pictures inside the palace but here are some of the postcard pictures that I bought.

Here,

The Crystal Staircase.

The Blue Room.

The Ambassador Reception Room.

The Ambassadorial Hall.
 

The Ceremonial Hall.

 The largest ballroom with the largest chandelier in the world.

After an hour and 30 minutes, we completed our tour with the Mabeyn building.

After that, we continued to the Seraglio where we saw the rooms of the sultan, his wives and sons. Inside this section, we also got the opportunity to see the deathbed of Mustafa Kamal Attaturk.

After we exit the Seraglio section, we passed through another beautiful garden.

We started the tour at 11.30am and ended it at 2.30pm. It was a tiring experience for myself and mr.hubby because they didn't allow for strollers to be used inside the palace, so we have to carry them (this was the time when I regretted for slashing my ergo baby carrier on the traveling checklist).

And, for such a long tour, pity for the kids because after some time, they were tired and started to show their tantrums . I managed to give them some biscuits and chocolates each time when the guards weren't around.

Next, we proceeded to the Beyoglu area for lunch.

In the 16th century, it came to be named Beyoglu because of a prince living here in his palace. Located on the north side of the Golden Horn, the district was opened to settlement by Byzantine emperors in the 5th century and was called Pera.

We noticed one huge sculpture at Istiqlal Avenue and Taksim Square. This sculptured below described Attaturk and the new order.

The Istiqlal Avenue is 1.5 km long and leads to Taksim Square. This street reminded me more of the Oxford Street.

Inside the restaurant, I was told that they served the 'bestest' Kebab in town, Iskender Kebab. 

Then, Effizi, my brother, had already made his own arrangement by meeting with Man Tong, one of his friends who is now working in Istanbul.

Later, after we finished our lunch, we continued with the nostalgic tramway which linked Beyoglu to Sisli in 1913 and operates between Taksim and Tunnel today.

It took about 15 minutes ride from the beginning point to the end.

Next, we walked for about 10 minutes and later, we were in front of the Galata Tower. Although the exact date the tower was built is not known, it is claimed that it was built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius in 507.

Elif offered us to go to the top but we were so tired and asked her to bring us back to the hotel, but not before having a quick pit stop at the Spice Market for another shopping galore.