Dedeman Buyukcekmece Hotel And Istanbul

... was another day that seemed like 4 or 5 days in one. I woke up late and skipped a Turkish breakfast even though I still like it. There is so much food that I haven't been hungry all day after eating so I thought I would try not having breakfast. I went to a part of town called Ortakoy to visit a woman I met on Sunday who has a gallery. She is a jewelry designer and a former architect. Her work is so different and so beautiful and she is amazing since she walks with ...

... been rebuilt in part. The heat was just about as oppressive as Bangkok; most afternoons found me needing to stretch out for awhile in an air conditioned room!<br><br>Note to Hung Chee: We stayed at Lithai House (in LP) Think we paid $15 per night for both of us which included a choice of good breakfasts, private bathroom and A/C. Nice staff, too!<br><br>After leaving Phitsanulok, we took another 6 hour bus trip north to Chiang Mai where we spent 5 nights ...

... do it themselves. Mexico has largely moved beyond that since NAFTA, but Turkey may or may not be moving past that, though both are now members of the G-20 economic organization. They definitely don&#8217;t have the corruption they used to, but inflation is still a haunting specter for EU critiques. But all in all, Turkey is a pretty good place to travel, and Istanbul is a pretty good place to hang. The level of English language in the provinces may not be too ...

... Tom, Dick & Harry who had something to sell. Intimidating, loud, and we had no idea what we wanted. But then through the madness came the voice of an angel who nicely asked "Chicken kebab?" We turned to see the angel was a 50+ year old Turkish man but the joy was all in the message... we said "Yes". Feel good story. We've enjoyed a cruise of the Bosphorous River, guided tours of the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome ...

... now after seeing some of the greatest palace's in the world). Then we went to the famous spice market, which was sort of like the Grand Bazzar, and that was a lot of fun. All the vendors try to get you to come buy spices or Turkish Delight from them and they will say anything they know in english to attract you to their store. One guy said, "You all come here! Buy spices for mother-in-law!" They know the most random sayings, it's pretty funny just to walk around and ...

... ngly endless rows of stalls/shops. On the way here we went to The Soph&#305;a Museum. An &#305;nterest&#305;ng mosque (once church) that is having the surfaces restored to when &#305;t was a church. We leave tomorrow night on an overnight train to Veliko Tarnavo in Bulgaria. Oh, and the Elvis thing? Muslim countries have a call to prayer which is belted out of all the mosques around 5 times a day. We have nicknamed it Elvis... :-)

... day in Istanbul consisted of a drive to the Asian side, where we first stopped in a park for a view of several of the bridges that span the Bosphorus Strait. Next we explored the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) museum, visited a Turkish carpet shop, where they explained different carpet making techniques (base price $1000!!), and enjoyed a Turkish lunch. It was exciting to visit Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine basilica, which has ...

... inside was a comfortable heat, enough to relax your muscles whilst a small amount of light seeped through small windows in the domed roof. In conclusion, Turkey was different to any other country Donna and myself have visited. Positioned between the middle east and Europe, Turkey remains quintessentially different and unique to that of it's neighbors. Like a lamb kebab, great to eat however it may take some getting used to if you are a vegetarian.

... vast (70x140 meters), column filled (336) cistern held water for summer and times of siege. Built in 4th century, was supplied by aqueducts from Belgrade Forest. Upon falling into disuse, it was mostly forgotten. A few locals kept boats there for fishing and would sell the fresh fish on the streets above. The fish led to its rediscovery. City Walls - 6.5 km remain in varying condition. Walked along ...

... 8 earthquake shook istanbul in 1901 while a party was going on in the main ceremonial hall. as the chandeleir began to swing back and forth, party-goers paniced; in the midst of a crumbling empire, the sultan (who was ill at the time) stood steadfast in the middle of the hall as the chandeleir swung above his head, quelling the party-goers. the chandeleir never fell and most of the hall was left uninjured. the entire hall seems absolutely enormous (and the echo ...