Istanbul......a fusion pot of the West and the East

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and a transcontinental city, straddling the Bogazi (Bosphorus) one of the world's busiest waterways between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Its commercial and historical center lies in Europe, while a third of its population lives in Asia.

Known as Byzantium in 660 BC and Constantinople in 330 AD, it served as the capital of four empires: the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans conquered the city in 1453 and transformed it into an Islamic stronghold of the last caliphate.

The Column of Constantine

With its long history at the center of empires, Istanbul offers a bulk of ancient monuments, such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Sultanahmet cami (Blue Mosque), and Basilica Cistern, which are located around Sultanahmet Square.

Hagia Sophia was originally a church, and then subsequently converted into a mosque but currently used as a museum. Tombs of several Ottoman sultans and their sons are opened to the public.

Hagia Sophia or Aya Sofya with 4 differently designed minarets

Across Hagia Sophia, is the Sultanahmet Cami or the Blue mosque which houses the tomb of S Sultan Ahmed I in a small building on the corner of the complex. Featuring six minarets One of a few mosques in the world with six minarets. Its moniker is derived from the blue Iznik tiles that pepper its interior spaces. Enter the building through the side entrance from the hippodrome to marvel the original architecture of Sedefkar Mehmed Aga.

The Sultanahmet Camii or The Blue mosque

The interior of the Blue mosque

The Hippodrome with two Cleopatra neddles

Topkapi Palace is the home of generations of Sultans and their wives. The harem, the family quarters, is a group of rooms arranged around a plush Turkish bath.

The Gulhane Park, toward Topkapi Sarayi

The main gate of Topkapi Sarayi or Palace

North of the peninsula of old city, across the Golden Horn, is Galata, crowned by the Galata Tower. Here, the Istiklal Avenue a prominent pedestrian street running from near Galata Tower to Taksim Square, the central square of whole city.

The Galata tower

The centre of Taksim Square......the modern downtown

The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarşi) was constrcuted in 1461 boasting more than 3,000 shops, is one of the largest covered markets in the world. With beckoning sellers peddling exquisite textiles, pottery, spices, jewellery, lanterns and souvenirs, bartering is an absolute must. At the end of the day, if it gets a bit too bizarre, more than 20 ancient gateways offer ample escape routes.

The interior of Kapali Carsi or the Grand Bazaar

Entrance No.1 of the Grand Bazaar

The 17th-century Misir Carsisi or Eminönü Egyptian Spice Bazaar is another favourite food for the camera. A bustling gastronomic paradise since 1664, this is the best place to pick up dried fruits and nuts, spices, olives, Turkish delight, oils and essences.

The Misir Carsisi or The Spice Bazaar

Walk across the Galata Bridge at sunset really gave the magical experience. At this time, the historic Galata Tower is surrounded by the seagulls, the Suleymaniye and Yeni mosques on top of the seven hills of the city are silhouetted against a soft orangy sky, and the evocative scent of apple tobacco smoked out of the cafes under the bridge.

Seafood restaurants under the Galata Bridge

Street foods and drinks are popular in Instanbul. Turkish bagel or pretzel is the ultimate timeless street food, loved by all and consumed. Although the city is scattered with that red simit carts, every neighbourhood has a simit bakery and from these bakeries the sellers fill their carts. Turkish are so crazy having thier simit with Natela! Kestane kabap or roasted chestnuts is the most popular street snack in Istanbul. During the winter, salep a hot beverage can found from many street vendors. Salep is a milk and flower based hot drink made of wild orchid powder. Turkish tea, called çay, is black tea which is consumed without milk. Turkish tea is typically prepared using two stacked kettles specially designed for tea preparation.

Kestane kabap or roasted chestnut

The juicy promegranate

Salep street vendor

Turkish black tea to be served

Street vendor of simit.....the morning bagel

Seafoods are popular in Istanbul. Fish are grilled, fried or cooked slowly by the poaching method. In the Black Sea region, fish are usually fried with thick corn flour. The fried sardin and grilled mackerel were among what we had at one of the restaurant at Anadolu kavagi. In Eminonu and other coastal districts, grilled fish served in bread with tomatoes, herbs and onion is a popular fast food.

The crunchy deep fried sardins

The mouth watery grilled mackerel with sweet grilled onion

Anadolu Kavağı is one of the fishing villages on the north of Bosphorus strait towards the Black Sea on the Asian side. It's a pleasant spot in which to wander and have a seafood lunch. Perched above the village are the ruins of Yoros Kalesi, a medieval castle.