Our first visit of Istanbul in 2013 was a big success and we immediately fell in love with the looks and the vibe of the city. I am very glad to say that on our second visit now, nothing had changed and we were still as excited as the first time. To us it feels a bit like London - you might have lived there many years and visited a 100 times but never grow tired of it. Quite the opposite, we liked it even more!
On our first day we arrived at 5am in the morning straight from Johannesburg, had a short sleep and then decided to make the most of the wonderful spring morning with sunshine and 20C degrees. We walked across the bridge of the Golden Horn that was, as usual, packed with fishermen (and fisherwomen in Prada shoes and Gucci handbag) catching small makerels, which are then grilled, sold and eaten then and there on the street. Lecker! From there we entered the maze of what feels like hundreds of small streets and alleys and hidden passageways of the very old Istanbul on the European side, and particularly enjoyed the colourful streetlife. Everything takes place outside, there are no big supermarkets or shopping malls in that part of the town, instead you find everything you need in small shops, stalls, street markets or from street vendors trying to sell you everything and anything, but in a polite and smiley kind of way. Electronic goods, fake Lacoste T-shirts , fresh vegetables and fruits, spices, nuts, and some of the best and freshest local fish I have ever seen and tasted.
The next day, we took a boat to Kadikoy on the Asian side of Istanbul, which we highly recommend to anybody visiting Istanbul, and had another great day schlendering (walking at a slow pace) along the waterfront to Moda with great views of the Bosporus and big boats travelling to and from the black sea.
With our Bed&Breakfast situated right beneath the Galata Tower, we stayed with a friendly young Turkish barkeeper who had a simple and cozy appartment on the top floor and roof terrace with amazing 360 degree views of Istanbul. All within spitting distance of the city center and the water, we decided to spend the final day in our neighbourhood of Beyoglu and Taksim. Another very old and beautiful part of Istanbul with ancient Mosques, Turkish Baths, Theatres, and houses dating back several hundred years. Again, lots of life with small markets, bistros, tea houses, coffee shops and kebap grills for outdoor street dining and drinking.
As you might have guessed, a few more days in Istanbul would not have been a probelm for us at all and we surely will be back again for more Turkish Coffee, Makerel sandwiches and listening to the sound of the Mosque at 5:00 in the morning wishing there was a snooze button for that thing :-)
Four continents in four days. From Africa on Saturday to European Istanbul on Sunday to Asian Istanbul on Monday, and as I am writing this, to South America on Wednesday. What a hectic life it is to be a jetsetter :-)
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