October 08, 2024 - Istanbul (Hotel Dersaadet)
After a comfortable sleep only interrupted by the early morning Call to Prayer we headed up to the roof-top terrace for breakfast with its views to the Sea of Marmara to the south and the Blue Mosque around the corner to the north, and the many seagulls flying nearby.
We enjoyed a relaxed, lengthy breakfast with a number of salads including bulger, eggs, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, yoghurt, cheese, fruit, a spinach pie and an assortment of tasty breads. There was pomegranate juice, lemonade and both coffee and tea.
After lunch we headed out to the Blue Mosque via a street bazaar near our hotel. Many shops selling just about everything lined both sides of the road. Being our first day we were just 'looking' - there was pottery / plates; handbags; jewelry; carpets (of course); spices and tea and many other items. We ended up chatting at length with a couple of fellows who run a spice / tea shop - Ibrahim and Orhan who were interested in our travels while providing us samples of tea and sweets.
There are two significant mosques in Sultanahmet - Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, both of which we visited in 2017. We decided to skip Hagia Sophia this time due to the reported lengthy lines and cost. Rather, after a nice stroll in the parks we found our way to the entrance to the Blue Mosque. Gayle in particular wanted to visit in order to offer a prayer for someone in particular going through cancer struggles. Upon entering Gayle immediately went into the 'woman only' prayer area where she experienced tranquility and peace.
The Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque. It was constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I and remains a functioning mosque today. It attracts a large number of tourists and is one of the most iconic and popular monuments of Ottoman architecture. The mosque has a classical Ottoman layout with a central dome surrounded by four semi-domes over the prayer hall. It is fronted by a large courtyard and flanked by six minarets. On the inside, it is decorated with thousands of Iznik tiles and painted floral motifs in predominantly blue colours, which give the mosque its popular name.
After our visit I bought a grilled corn-on-the cob, a popular street-food, that I ate relaxing in the park just outside. In all honesty the corn was somewhat dry and not that great but I don't regret giving it a try. As we were heading back to our hotel we came across a fellow who was selling freshly squeezed juice. From our previous trip I recall the delicious orange / pomegranate mix so decided to have one, and another stop in the park. Gayle found it too tart but I very much enjoyed the drink.
For dinner we went to nearby Doy Doy, suggested by the front desk. Just up the street we started with a complimentary tomato based dip along with Turkish flat bread. There was never any doubt Gayle was going to have a bowl of the lentil soup of the day, which she thoroughly enjoyed. After that she had the Kasarli Sebzeli Pide (cheese pizza with vegetables) while Norm had the Beef Shish Kebap, or Dana Sis - char grilled marinated beef in cubes. Afterwards Norm had a mint tea and then we climbed one more flight to the roof-top where there is a beautiful unobstructed view of the Blue Mosque.
Our Turkish breakfast.
A shop owner. Colourful backpacks.
Earlier this week Gayle received some sad and difficult news of serious health issues being experienced by someone she knows. Upon entering the mosque she immediately went to the woman's prayer area were she prayed for the recovery of the individual.
Below the impressive interior of the Mosque.
Sampling a grilled corn on the cob, a common street food here in Istanbul as are roasted chestnuts.
From our roof-top terrace:
Right: the colours after the sun set
Below: a departing cruise ship
October 07, 2024 - Istanbul (Hotel Dersaadet)
After our nearly five weeks in Greece we decided to spend a few days in Istanbul before returning home.
Our connection in Athens was tight as we had to pass through security in that we were on an international (to Istanbul) flight but we (just) made it.
We arrived in Istanbul on schedule at 8:00 pm, made our way through immigration - Canadians no longer need a Visa to enter Turkiye - and then found our way to the arranged ride / taxi area. Quite the process as we 'checked in', then were 'handed off' to another fellow, and then again to yet another before actually connecting with our pre-arranged driver. Although the process seemed a bit strange it was actually quite efficient.
The drive from the Istanbul airport to Dersaadet Hotel is 50 km, taking more or less an hour depending on traffic and costing 55 euros. We were dropped off shortly after 10 pmbeing greeted with tea and a sweet (Turkish delight). We were then checked into our room, the second of Dersaadet's Suites - one of the 35 square metre Corner Suites with a number of windows, a sitting area, whirlpool bath (jacuzzi), views of the neighbourhood and partial views of the Sea of Marmara. Very comfortable and nice.
After a long day it did not take much time for us to be fast asleep.
Our Corner Suite (photos courtesy of Dersaadet Hotel).
