Istanbul
POSTED ON September 30, 2011
fresh figs
Here are a few pictures from my recent trip to Turkey, very hard to choose photos that show just how rich and beautiful the country is. When I stepped off the plane at Istanbul airport and took my first breath, I knew I would love the city. What I didn’t know was how beautiful and untouched the south west coast is and how much I would like exploring by boat. Sleeping on deck under the full moon in secluded bays and listening to wild goats on the surrounding rocky headlands was just what I needed!
But first there were 5 amazing days in Istanbul.
outside our hotel/apartment in Galata
entering the Grand Bazaar
cat under chair
I loved this peaceful little courtyard, we came across it following a rug seller to his warehouse.
In the Bazaar we spent hours talking to antique watch sellers, jewelers and towel specialists. I loved the way tea would appear on a tray as if out of nowhere and be handed out in shaply glasses with bright saucers. After many glasses we pulled ourselves out and walked through winding streets to the spice market.
empty tea glasses on the street
dried fruits stuffed with nuts at spice market
Turkish delight
Turkish delight made with honey
drawers of spices and teas
button shop
mosque by Istanbul Modern
street in Kababöy
Turkish coffee (and more tea) with a friend in Osküdar on the asian side of the city
quiet shady street in Osküdar
The day I spent on the Asian side of Istanbul was one of the most interesting and inspiring, eating breakfast (with fresh pomegranate juice!) at a local cafe on the Bosphorus, walking the peaceful streets and then discovering çiya. çiya, a restaurant in the midst of a market that sells everything from olives and vegetables to fish, sweets and herbs. The chef, Musa Dagdeviren owns three restaurants all in a row, I ate at çiya Sofrasy. The food at this branch is based on traditional cuisines of eastern and southeastern Anatolia. The chef is a food historian using regional herbs and vegetables I have never heard of and creating hundreds of delicious vegetarian dishes from almost forgotten peasant recipes. There is so much to learn from his cooking, the meal I ate there was one that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you Sila!
dried stuffed eggplant, yogurt with wheat berries and delicious greens
the best lentil soup and more delicious grains and vegetables
more figs layer with fig leaves at the market in Kadikoy
view from Aya Sofra
street in Beyoğlu
I loved exploring Beyoğlu, especially the antique shops with their wares pouring out onto the winding cobblestone streets. On our last night we ate at Mücver, a tiny restaurant that serves simple traditional Turkish home cooking. it was the perfect soothing meal to end our last day in Istanbul.
Pictures from the boat to follow!
POSTED IN travel
tweet it
pin it
the stuff of dreams. lucky you. brava.
Beautiful Post!
Feel like I just took a walk through the streets of Istanbul myself.
Delicious!
An amazing trip! thank you for sharing, just this week we watched Anthony Bourdain’s no reservations to Isatanbul! Not quite the same as being there but a funny coincidence, we are definitely planning to go!
Love your post Amy. Turkey is such a beautiful country, such abundance at the markets and in places still living as they have done for hundreds of years……let’s keep it a secret!
Beautiful just smilply beautiful. Thank you.
Fantastic Amy. Looks the same as 35 years ago. I look forward to the next set of pics.
Hi Amy, the Turks have an expression for a job well done: “Eline sağlık,” literally “health to your hand.” Great photos…it was especially nice to see the ones of Kuzguncuk (that’s my old neighborhood in Üsküdar.) On your next trip, check out sites like The Guide Istanbul (www.theguideistanbul.com) and Lonely Planet’s City Guide for info about other places to go. You’ll be back I’m sure!
Thanks Amy, so enjoyed your pics and descriptions – felt that I was just there too!
Hmm I think I ate at ciya when I was there too! The blue mosque was my favourite thing I saw in Istanbul, so beautiful.
love the pictures!
Thank you so much for this. I felt like I was there too. Delightful!