We arrived at Ataturk International Airport at 6.30 am, 8.30 am Dubai time and 12.30 Malaysia time. LOL =P ... It was freezing as we had to go down the staircase to the terminal. Conveniently we were picked up by some people and brought to the Pianoforte Hotel which was just a few miles away from the airport. Upon arrival, we immediately went to the 'roof cafe' for our breakfast and we were informed that we had to immediately get ready as the tour started at 9.30am!!
1st Day - City Tour
Family
Our first destination was the Blue Mosque. The architecture was simply awesome. There were also.. erm... tiang2 which I can't really recall their names presenting different symbols for each. It is really interesting as the museums here are outdoors as they have many artifacts built signifying a period of time. It was beautiful!!!
These are some pictures taken on the 1st day...
These are some pictures taken on the 1st day...
Family
our 1st group photo
girls in the family
me and my haziq.. LOL =P
i
Charmed..~
2nd Day - Bosphorus Bridge Tour, Asian Istanbul & Leather Factory
The second day was more windy than the 1st. We went on a cruise and passed by the Bosphorus Bridge. The scenery was amazing and fascinating!!!
Everyone was excited to be on the boat and we end up posing the whole trip. We also had fun waving to the passengers on the other boats that we met along the way.
After the cruise, we went to the Asian part of Istanbul. We were explained earlier that Istanbul is divided into 3 parts, 2 European part and one Asian part. The Asian part of Istanbul seemed to be more traditional than the Asian part. We went to the highest point of the Asian Istanbul and had our lunch there. The view from on top of the hill was splendid!!
Then we went to a leather factory. It was... well.... interesting and weird. But we had fun in the store trying out the fur coats!!!
Everyone was excited to be on the boat and we end up posing the whole trip. We also had fun waving to the passengers on the other boats that we met along the way.
After the cruise, we went to the Asian part of Istanbul. We were explained earlier that Istanbul is divided into 3 parts, 2 European part and one Asian part. The Asian part of Istanbul seemed to be more traditional than the Asian part. We went to the highest point of the Asian Istanbul and had our lunch there. The view from on top of the hill was splendid!!
Then we went to a leather factory. It was... well.... interesting and weird. But we had fun in the store trying out the fur coats!!!
fantastic view from the boat
*squish*squish*
sunshine...
highest point in Istanbul..
double Nana
Turkish tea anyone??~
2nd day (night) - Taksim Square
We went to Taksim square, I assume as the Petaling Street of Istanbul. Well, we didn't really shop, but were mesmerized by the lights and sounds and all the people that were walking along with us in the city. I may say that it is true, though there were a lot of people walking at the sidewalks, only 10% of those people actually enter the shops, and of course, we were not included in the 10%. The goods in Istanbul were somehow rather expensive and with the high exchange rate, it did not benefit us mush to shop.
We had dinner at a Turkish restaurant *I think* and had fish!!! It was so fresh, and the ambiance was wonderful! Later we tried on masks at the stall nearby, and had fun laughing at each other...
We had dinner at a Turkish restaurant *I think* and had fish!!! It was so fresh, and the ambiance was wonderful! Later we tried on masks at the stall nearby, and had fun laughing at each other...
This is a video of the entertainers who entertained us during dinner.. My, they do have beautiful voices!~
3rd day - Princess Island
It was like super cold when we left the hotel. We were forewarned that the whether will be colder today so everyone was wearing layers of clothes to keep ourselves warm. It was drizzling when we went on the boat and Aida was like 'are we really going anywhere?? It's like open see on the other end!!' We were informed that the journey will take more than one hour, so no wonder we could not see the island yet.
We went on a tour around the island in a horse carriage. It was just awesome. The island was breathtakingly beautiful and quiet. Uncle Ariffin told us that the island was meant for tourist, especially the high-class ones as they provide bungalows for rental with a swimming pool!!!
We had a nice free lunch *fish again* at the nearby restaurant and spent the rest of the day hanging around the island. There was not much to see, but as we were a in a large group, doing nothing is already fun as long as we had each other.
The journey back was awesome as we witnessed the sunset and the moon together on the boat. It was mesmerizing!!!! I love how the ocean wind blew into my hair. We also had fun singing *thank goodness the fish didn't die because of it*. Abang Mat Ju sang very well too. We returned to the hotel exhausted but content and very happy =)
my luqman..~ "what would you like dear?"
wif uncle Ariffin (Pak Cik Blogger)
horses~!
4th day (final) - Self-touring + sight-seeing
We went on a tour around the island in a horse carriage. It was just awesome. The island was breathtakingly beautiful and quiet. Uncle Ariffin told us that the island was meant for tourist, especially the high-class ones as they provide bungalows for rental with a swimming pool!!!
We had a nice free lunch *fish again* at the nearby restaurant and spent the rest of the day hanging around the island. There was not much to see, but as we were a in a large group, doing nothing is already fun as long as we had each other.
The journey back was awesome as we witnessed the sunset and the moon together on the boat. It was mesmerizing!!!! I love how the ocean wind blew into my hair. We also had fun singing *thank goodness the fish didn't die because of it*. Abang Mat Ju sang very well too. We returned to the hotel exhausted but content and very happy =)
my luqman..~ "what would you like dear?"
wif uncle Ariffin (Pak Cik Blogger)
horses~!
4th day (final) - Self-touring + sight-seeing
On the last day we were on our own. We had to checkout from the hotel at 12 noon, so we quickly packed our bags and hurriedly checked out. By 10.15, everyone was ready for own own adventure of Istanbul City.
It was rather frustrating when we found out that the grand bazaar was closed due to the eid celebration, but anyways we did found some interesting sightseeing places. There was not much places that we went to, and I took that advantage to go on the tramp that travels along the streets of Taksim Square.
We didn't want to go on top, so we stayed down low...
Music stores everywhere...~
Later that day while waiting our ride to the airport we spent time at the lobby chatting and doing nothing. Indeed it was exhausting as all the four days were packed with various of activities, and I definitely think that I would be extremely tired by the time I have to start my classes. But I had so much fun. I really wish one day I would be able to come back to this place I have been to.
It was rather frustrating when we found out that the grand bazaar was closed due to the eid celebration, but anyways we did found some interesting sightseeing places. There was not much places that we went to, and I took that advantage to go on the tramp that travels along the streets of Taksim Square.
We didn't want to go on top, so we stayed down low...
Music stores everywhere...~
Later that day while waiting our ride to the airport we spent time at the lobby chatting and doing nothing. Indeed it was exhausting as all the four days were packed with various of activities, and I definitely think that I would be extremely tired by the time I have to start my classes. But I had so much fun. I really wish one day I would be able to come back to this place I have been to.
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