We always almost equate Turkish Delight with Baklava,one of the cuisines of the former Ottomen Empire.What we do not know is Baklava is just the tip of the iceberg.Turkey is a heaven for food lovers,especially for the variety of food that you get in Turkey,there are surprises galore - for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.



From being randomly invited to taste the Turkish Tea at Istiklal Street to tasting Simit at Taksim Square to eating wholesome vegetarian home cooked food at Galata Kitchen to sipping the world famous Turkish Coffee(Turk Kahvesi) to tasting Kebap and Durum and Kumpir,no wonder why we loved Turkey so much.








 Istanbul is a blend of cultures because one part of it is in Europe and other its in Asia.The beauty of Turkey is that it’s very welcoming.People are generously over flirtatious(we’d share some amusing stories) but at the same time,very inviting.

So as we walked down we tasted free coffee or tea or chatted with people on road or bargained at shops(do bargain!).We watched the lady selling fresh oregano as we watched the many delights that our stomach was craving for.If you love chaos like India has,Istanbul is a perfect match.




Istiklal Street - Beyoglu - Things To Do And Eat

 Istiklal Street is an elegant pedestrian only street in Beyoglu district with Trams running in the middle of the broad street.There are many narrow street that you can enter in between on the left or right.Most of them consisting of more souvenirs and more and more souvenirs and eateries.There are also entertainment district with bars and eateries. 


                     If you have sweet tooth,what do I say,Turkey is all about Infinite Variety.
                                      

 Walking down from Taksim to Istiklal Street took us to the world of liveliness.Walking further down it takes you to Galata Tower and more further down it takes you to Galata Bridge and Spice Market.



Istiklal is a popular and populous street visited by 3 million people in a single day over the course of weekends.There are many souvenir shops(we bought many small things for TL1,TL3,5),small markets selling Fake Original Goods(i.e lookalikes of original brands,we bought a purse for 30TL),restaurants,food joints,snacks.At any time day or night this street is a fun walk,because its laced with activities and people,and friends who enjoy sipping hot fragrant and available everywhere Tea or Coffee.


Unlike many other places,shopping in Turkey is very very cheap and we get very intricate souvenirs consisting of evil eye charms or watches or intricate jewelry or small stuff to carry back home.Flowery teas are made in Turkey made of original rose buds or flowers such as Jasmine.You also get Turkish Lamps , Chandeliers and beautiful Turkish home storage vessels(for example spice box) in delicate designs.You can get gifts for everyone from here.Or you could go to Grand Bazaar but we loved Istiklal Street for the walk and the entertainment and everything else.We bought most of the things from here.We also changed currency at one of the currency counters there.There are many on the street.














Hostels - Galata Tower To Galata Bridge - Spice Bazaar

 When my tour was over after 7 days,I was staying in the quiet little hostel Rapunzel behind Galata Tower which is further down from Istiklal.Istiklal street narrows down to Galata Tower after which the street are mainly cobbled pedestrian street with boutique shops(though not costly).You could enter all boutique shops and buy in the range from (TL1 - TL 100).Galata Tower they say has some great views but at the same time there are queues to enter.Walking further down,is Galata Bridge.








Fishing is the most popular activity at Galata Bridge - that’s what people do.You could go down from the Galata Bridge to the mosque or spice market.

 I landed Istanbul by Air Arabia(INR 20,000 one way) at around 12:50 am after a long transit of 14 hours at Sharjah.That was a non-refundable flight booking I made by thinking at least the fares are less,I will manage.With Sharjah having lounge rates as 100 AED for 3 hours,I chose not to spend that money which seemed to be way too expensive.



So rest of the time,I slept on the airport chairs ,watched TV,met a Pakistani family who were so sweet and nice that we clicked our pictures together.Basically,I slept and slept more.


They talked about how fascinated they are with India.I reciprocated the same feelings of how keen I am to visit Pakistan(I really want to!) once.We forgot to share numbers but if we had,I knew I had someone there.I interacted with their families and kids and It felt like home at Sharjah Airport.

For Turkey e-visa process,visit my previous blog post

Istanbul Turkey Airports:Which to choose Sabiha or Ataturk?

Istanbul has two airports - Ataturk and Sabiha.

The cheapest local internal flights/some of the cheapest local international flights lands at Sabiha International. However,

Tip1: Whenever possible book flights from and to Ataturk Airport

Because the connectivity between Sabiha and Ataturk airport is indirect even though I did travel changing buses from Taksim Square.If you can,make through Ataturk.Keep sufficient time between flights if you are landing at Sabiha and catching flight from Ataturk.You never know how the traffic would be during daytime.

Turkish Airlines from India is a good flight option.Turkish Airlines lands at Ataturk and is a better airline.

My friend arrived at Ataturk and it took 30 minutes for her to reach Taksim Square and there wasn’t much of a price difference. If you guys remember,I won the Travel Shop Turkey contest and got me and my friend a package.This was my first packaged tour of 7 days and I added 5 more days to it to explore on my own.The flights and my extra stays of 5 days were sponsored by Skyscanner as another contest win.

Turkey Currency:

The currency of Turkey is Lira.And 1 Lira = 22 INR(that time it was 30 INR)

From Sabiha To Taskim:By Havatas



I arrived at Sabiha Intl. as I had booked the cheapest possible flight from India.As I hadn't done much research prior,Sabiha was far from Ataturk(which I didn't know) and from the city as well.The shuttle buses run from both the airport.And in Travel Shop Turkey package,the inclusion from transport from Ataturk was there but Sabiha had to be done on our own or the Taxi fare was too much.So I waited for my Havatas bus(Turkish Lira 11 fare) which starts at 4:30 am(which was said to start at 4am but started around 4:30) in the morning and reached Taksim by 1 hour 10 minutes.

 Taksim is one of the main squares of Istanbul.

The Chaos and The Convenience of Group Tour

I reached Taksim Square at around 5:45 am and It was dark.However I never felt unsafe walking in the area.We checked in at Hotel Dora which was a good choice by Travel ShopTurkey.Some time later my friend joined it. We walked around the area till the evening and then went for Bhosporous Cruise(details coming soon) . We had our breakfast the next day and we missed our group bus the first time.Looks like there was a confusion on day 1.

The representative waited for us at the reception and we were at the breakfast room just next.We thought we’d get a call but we did not and so the bus had to take two rounds.We were dismal and everybody else was annoyed.Welcome to our own created little chaos the first day.

 During the trip,you’d know how many mishaps we made.After all we were two young and chirpy ladies mostly wanting to do our own thing yet being confined in a group which by the way was a new experience.And pleasantly so,because otherwise we wouldn’t have had seen so much in so less time.

Back then,we were backpackers.Andamans,hence to us happened 5 years back.Out of no where.On our anniversary,unplanned.As we spent our night laughing out on the beach lounge chair in front of our cottage in Port Blair in the sweet hum of waves crashing ahead of us,we lost track of time and passed out as quick on shots of Tequila.In the middle of the night I woke up to find myself walking in knee deep water with dogs barking! It seems that water recedes during the day and almost rushes into shoreline during the night. 






                                  Welcome to Andamans,where India has its best beaches
                              is now easily accessible from Bangalore by#AndamansCharter


 Andamans is an archipelago of islands bursting with colorful marine life,coral reefs and beautiful beaches.To explore beaches,you need to venture out of Port Blair by Ferries.The islands that surround are Ross Island,Neil Island,Havelock Island,Viper Island.Havelock being one of the most picturesque beach location.


 Reaching Andamans 

I remember since all was impromptu we had just booked our tickets from Makemytrip from Chennai as there were no direct flights from Bangalore.How we wished it was direct. To those who are planning now there are some good news,make my trip has some great packages including a charter from Bangalore.

Direct flight from Bangalore, travel time reduced to just 2.5 hours one way (earlier if you had to travel ex Bangalore, a flight change was needed in Chennai)

-          MMT’s exclusive charter flight only for MMT guests, with on board light refreshments included.To know more

-          Convenient flight time: depart late night instead of having to wake up at an insane hour for an early morning flight

-          Complimentary snorkelling included in Exotic Andamans and Magical Andamans package

-          Complimentary snorkelling as well as scuba included in Explore Andamans package

-          MMT’s own Tour Managers stations in Port Blair and Havelock, to ensure that all guests are well taken care of

-          Special add on inclusions available for Honeymoon couples

What To Do in Port Blair 




 Port Blair is the capital of Andamans.Port Blair doesn’t have great beaches but the very famous Sound and Light show of Cellular Jail(closed Monday) that takes you to stories of the prisoners of Indian Freedom Struggle and of severe hardship and pain to them by the British Officers.Many freedom fighters were jailed there.Cellular Jail is also known as Kala Pani.The entry ticket was Rs 5.You could buy shell made items from Aberdeen Bazaar in Port Blair.

 Trip Tip: Rent a cycle and Cycle Around.We found that many foreigners who had come to Port Blair were cycling around the lush green small roads of Port Blair.



 Port Blair Gateway:Ross Island 10 Minutes by speedboat from Port Blair is Ross Island,which used to be administrative headquarters of Port Blair.An earthquake occurred that destroyed almost everything and now what we see are remnants of yesteryears buildings.

 The Makruzz 




 The Makruzz is a cruise that runs between Port Blair - Neil Island - Havelock.We took that cruise.The cruise liner was very smooth sailing and comfortable.The tickets were priced around Rs 975.There were snacks on board to purchase.As we reached the Neil Island,we took a glass boat tour to view the corals.They were great to look at.We have lost most of the pictures sadly from the trip,but few remain.

 What To Do in Havelock:Relax or Scuba 











 Radhanagar beach and Elephanta beach are two of the beaches in Havelock.Listed in many as one of Asia’s most beautiful beach,the water at Radhanagar is shallow for quite a mile and you could walk or relax.You can also shop at the flea market of Radhanagar for hats and other beach stuff.The sunset at Radhanagar is breathtaking.

Elephanta beach is another beach in Havelock and the best part about it is you could see the broken trees as the result of Tsunami which happened,and most of it,is still the way the disaster must have caused it to be,making it look like carefully placed yet dropped and bent trees.


Many folks go to Havelock primarily to Scuba.Barefoot Scuba provides Scuba Training and facilities in Havelock.With transparent blue waters and great visibility,Andamans is one of the best places to Scuba dive in India.The Best Season for diving in Andaman is Feb and Mar as this is the season when seas are calmer and gives greater visibility.You can Dive with Rajan the Elephant ( only from Jan - April) Only certified diver can dive with Rajan and Rajan can go diving/ snorkeling from Jan to April as this is the period when the sea conditions are flat and comfortable for Rajan to dive.

Underwater Sea walk can also be done in Havelock which is carried by Sea Link Adventure 



Havelock and Back 

 The government Ferry runs twice a day from Havelock to Port blair one leaving at 9:00 am and another at 4:30 pm.The cost for the ferry is Rs 650. We remember we were so caught up in catching up places in Havelock that we almost missed the ferry as the gates were closed and there was a certain rush.We had our tickets but they wouldn’t allow late.So we pleaded,we rushed up,threw our bags in,and jumped into slowly moving ferry when the captain gave his hand.Most of the time,we took refuge on the top open air deck.We kept our bags made it like pillows and watched the endless horizon of sea.We may have been more adventurous then.Also the ferry timing was such that if we had missed,the flights would have had been missed the next morning.Make a day extra in Port Blair after you have arrived from Havelock.