NUANCES OF ISTANBUL
It so happened that we arrived in Istanbul not from Ukraine. Therefore, they landed not at the usual Ataturk airport, but at the one named after the first female military pilot in Turkey, Sabiha Gokcen. Although it is the second largest, it is located far from the center - in the Asian part of a huge metropolis fifty kilometers south of Taksim Square.
Since we didn't want to waste a single minute of a carefully planned precious vacation, we decided not to waste time and energy on the road with transfers and stood in line to get into a taxi. A comfortable car with a friendly and polite driver in just 40 minutes and 400 lira drove us to the Sura Design Hotel & Suites. This new five-star hotel is distinguished from others by its design. Behind the opulent Ottoman-style entrance, life-size horse sculptures and pompous furniture greet guests. Elevators take visitors to absolutely different turquoise, silver, amber and other floors.
On the roof - a restaurant with a unique view of the Blue Mosque.
Since the hotel is located in the heart of old Istanbul - the Sultanahmet district, all the main attractions are literally within walking distance.
After walking no more than 50 meters along a colorful street, we came to the tram tracks, along which there were cafes and restaurants for every taste. Moreover, the process of preparing various dishes was perfectly visible through the huge glasses that were in the kitchens instead of the walls. After a bite of extraordinarily delicious baked stuffed eggplant and chicken, we went down to the neighboring pastry cellar. It must be admitted that the prices for real high-quality Turkish baklava (this is how baklava is called here) “bite”... But, of course, the “palette of tastes” is indescribable!
A few minutes later we came to a beautiful square, on one side of which was the Blue Mosque, and on the other, Hagia Sophia or Hagia Sophia.
We will not dwell on the description of world-famous sights, but will tell you about some of the nuances of visiting them.
So, we did not immediately get into the mosque, because it is operational and certain visiting hours are set aside for tourists. They knew that they would have to take off their shoes, so they took socks with them so as not to walk barefoot. But Hagia Sophia was postponed until later, because they knew how to “get around” the incredibly long line at the ticket office.
Heading straight to Topkapi, the main palace of the Ottoman Empire until the middle of the 19th century, on the way we ate a traditional fragrant Istanbul bagel and sweet corn, which are sold everywhere from mobile tables. Roasted chestnuts, bought here, did not make the expected impression...
Within 50 meters to the palace gates, we turned left, having examined a small but very curious museum complex.
Let's say right away that a few hours on Topkapi is not enough, even if you are not fans of the series "The Magnificent Century". You need at least half a day, and ideally a day, to plunge into this magical atmosphere and try to get around the main palace premises!
Inside, they started by buying Museum PassIstanbul at the box office for 125 lira (they are sold not only here, but also in mobile buses and in some other places, but only after presenting a passport).
In addition to being a ticket to the most important tourist meccas of Istanbul, this card, which is valid for several days, also allows you to avoid the queue at the ticket office of Hagia Sophia. Bypassing the crowd, we approached the entrance, the cards were scanned and we got inside this amazing building. Do not be too lazy to climb the old stairs and corridors to the upper tiers.
But, back to Topkapi: having purchased maps, we no longer paid for entrance to: a huge and very interesting archaeological museum (opposite the ticket office - below are very interesting expositions of different eras and civilizations in two buildings and in the open air), the ancient church of St. Irina, of course, to the palace itself, the treasury and the harem.
It must be remembered that the Museum PassIstanbul cannot go to the same place a second time.
… Not far from Hagia Sophia, next to the tram tracks, is the famous Cistern with mystical colonnades leading to the inverted head of the Gorgon Medusa. I was disappointed that the "museum card" does not work here and I had to pay 25 lira for the entrance.
Having dealt with the ticket machines, for 10 lira we drove several stops on the light rail almost to the Grand Bazaar. Definitely worth visiting! Well, as for shopping - it's up to you... Not too lazy to take a walk once again, we went out through the entrance leading towards the Egyptian market. The road to it, as it turned out, was a real clothing market. We could not pass by freshly squeezed pomegranate juice - insanely delicious!
But the Egyptian Bazaar is impossible to resist: tea, coffee, spices and real oriental sweets - that's why it is popular.
Toward evening we traditionally went to the Embankment to the bridge, the lower tier of which is occupied only by fish restaurants. If without expensive frills, then for 10-15 lira you can try a fragrant bun, in the middle of which they put a freshly caught and fried fish.
A romantic cruise along the Bosphorus was coming to an end, the night was slowly descending on the city, and the illumination of its ancient part was literally mesmerizing.
In the clear sky, planes emerged from the clouds every now and then. We headed to the Galata Tower, located in the European part on a high hill of the Galata district of the same name. They promised an incredible light show. By the way, if you come here in the morning, you can get inside without a queue and admire the city from its upper tier.
Of course, we also got to the famous Istanbul tram, which, to the delight of tourists, runs here just like a hundred years ago. We walked on Taksim Square... Of course, it was possible to take a “review” in the Sultanahmet area and see all this from the open second floor of the sightseeing bus, but “go through everything on our own, with legs... ” - these are completely different emotions!
Several days flew by unnoticed - a lot of picturesque places, friendly people and sights. In the evenings, we walked along the clean and beautiful streets, periodically indulging ourselves in a variety of cafes. What can I say: the cuisine here, as well as the atmosphere, is magical!
… We flew home from Ataturk Airport. We lingered a little at Duty Free, and when the registration was announced, we already turned pale - the 705th gate. Trotting along the "running" tracks only after 40 minutes were in place. It seems that there is no point in describing this grandiose structure.
The plane took off from the ground, the passengers applauded the pilot, and we, looking out the window at the endless Istanbul, realized: we'll be back!
Andrey TSURKANOV,
photo by Irina TSURKANOVA
