Always make me extra happy. To be able to un-burden oneself is great therapy.
Much love
Sunday 26 October 2014
Saturday 25 October 2014
Salam 1436H
Another new beginning. Either for betterment or new destruction on earth. But continued living + hoping and praying we must. May God listens and granted us with His mercy; in our lifetime or in afterlife. I'm Redha. Tawakkal and keep my faith intact that Allah is one and all His Messenger's are true and human beings are responsible for his/her owns doing but the road to change is always wide open. For everyone to repent. To progress. Allah knows best.
Friday 24 October 2014
Tuesday 21 October 2014
I've Never Been To Me
The passing of times makes me understand just how blessed my life has been.
" Been all around the world, but I've never been to me".
Sunday 19 October 2014
Thursday 16 October 2014
Cruise On The Bosphorus
Why I did it twice?
Simply put, this cruise emhance my intrigue and obsession with the former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. And on the shore banks stand hundreds of ancient and modern landmarks that cannot be ignored by any Istanbul enthusiast. We also passed numerous neighborhoods, all respected by locals for one characteristic or tradition.
The enthusiast.
1st time on board. 13/04/2013. Paid £30 for this tour which included hotel pick-up, Spice Market Tour and the cruise itself.
The Bosphorus is a narrow, navigable strait between Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea (Pontus Euximus) to the Marmara Sea (Proponis).
Near the southern end is the Golder Horn, Harbout of Istanbul, one of the most commodious natural harbors in the world. In the ancient medieval times almost all commerce between the Medditerranean and Black Sea was routed through the strait.
It's still an important artery of international trade. An average number of 55 thousand ships pass through the Bosphorus annually.
Along both shores are many attractions including ancient ruins, picturesque villages, expensive waterfront home (Yali Houses) and forested area.
You can do the BT by hiring a private boat from Eminou between the Galatea and Ataturk Bridges. Other choice will be using the public boat called "Bogazigi Ozel Gezi" from Eminou just next to Galatea Bridge. It departs from 10:35AM and stops at the pier at Besiktas, Kanlica, Yenikoy, Sariyer and Rumeli Kavagi before it arrives in Anadolu Kavagi on the Asian side, close to the Black Sea. This ride will take approximately one and a half hours. The same ferry reverse the same route by departing at 3:00PM from Rumeli Kavagi.
My 2nd cruise was on 31st May 2013. Wow... This time it costs me €20 included Golden Horn Walking Tour. Why less expensive? Now I knows what it means when they said you are paying for the ambience. This time, the ferry was not as big or comfortable. You get what you paid for honey!
I can't imagine the public ferry which costs around TL12.
All smile for the camera. It's hot okay!
Zassssss! Click! Click!
See? How cramp it was compared to my 1st cruises.
Tips on how to do budgeting for your vacation:
1. Pre-plan your travel at least six months in advance.
2. So you can booked hotel and tickets flight earlier
3. Buy your intended tours months ( one each month) before your due travel date so you don't feel the burden at once.
Now just relax, rides and enjoyed the magnificent views of Bosphorus.
The most expensive Yali Houses.
The Yali of Huseyin pasha built on 1699 and the Erbilgin Yakisi, listed as the fifth most expensive house in the world when it went on sale for 100 million USD.
Phew .... Can ordinary people like me afford it?
As I passes through it I dreamed on. Since dreaming is free......
Only for the rich and famous. These are among the most expensive house in the world. Price will range between 20 - 60 million USD.
The word Yali is Greek and it means waterfront. The typical Yali houses on the Bosphorus are waterfront wooden houses or mansions. Most of them are from the 19th century. The Yali was originally intended as a summer house. The central area has a wooden dome with spacious bays on three sides; a continuous row of low windows in these bays allow cool breezes to blow through, and offer views of the Bosphorus in all directions. Hmmmmm.... Almost heaven minus the angels.
Some people destined to live in heaven version on earth. Mashaallah. Allah is great.
But, I'm not envious. I'm grateful for whatever Allah has bestow on me.
Like them, I'm enjoying my life too.
Siapalkah si dia ini? Hehe terus melayu kan kalau hal2 ....... Bah! Just joking.
The sight of The Maiden Tower (kiz Kulesi). One of the most distinctive landmarks in Istanbul. Originally a 12C Byzantine fortress built on a natural rock. The present structure dates from the 18C and was used as an inspection station by the Navy. It had now been restored and made into a cafe and restaurant.
Behind the tanker is the famous Ortakoy Mosque/Camiisi. Also known as Buyuk Mecidiye Camisi and was built by Abdulmecit in 1853. The architect of this baroque style late Ottoman period mosque was Nikogos Balyan.
The Rumeli Fotress ( Rumeli Hisan)
Built by Sultan Mehmet II for preparation to siege Constantinople in order to cut off the city from its sources of grain on shores of the Black Sea. The construction was completed in 1452 and it served its purpose well. After the conquest, it lost its military importance. Today, open-air concerts take place in its theater in summer months.
Beylerbeyi Palace (Sarayi)
Constructed between 1861-1865 by Sarkis Balyan for Abdulaziz. The exterior decoration was adopted from European Neo-Classicsim but the interior was completed in the traditional Ottoman Style. The palace was used both as a summer lodge and as residence for visiting royalty.
Fatih Bridge ( Fatih Sultan Mehmet Koprusu)
Due to the heavy traffic in Istanbul, another bridge at the narrowest point on the Bosphorus was constructed between the years 2985 and 1988. The construction was completed by a Japanese company and the cost was 126 million USD.
Now enjoy the ride in silent mode.
Golden Horn WalkTours
Sefie muahhh
It's summer and the sun's blazing hot!
I'm not a terrorist just covering myself from the sun. See, bring a shawl wherever you go.
In full view, the lady behind me strikes a noticeable resemblance to me! No kidding! Maybe she's one of my 7th twins on earth. The look alike.
View from above (teleferik)
We going to the Pierre Loti Cafe. The popular cafe overlooking the Golden Horn in the Eyup area was the place dedicated to the time that Pierre Loti spent in Turkey. He frequently used to go there. With the recently built cable car reaching right to the cafe from the Golden Horn, transportation to Pierre Loti Cafe has become very easy.
The cemetery's
Finally. The best viewing spot. The Pierre Loti Cafe. You are consider lucky if you can get a table.
Views from the cafe
Have some more beautiful pictures. But I'm tired now. If I remember I will update.
What is the purpose of your getaway? To explore or just being a tourist?
Being a real traveler enriched not only my knowledge, but my souls.
Salam. Spread peace and love.
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