Turkey – marriage of the East with the West

Time and again, I have often felt the need to disconnect and once again when this thought besought me, I took off – this time, smitten by the ruins of the Ottoman and Byzantian Empire, I visited Turkey to experience the unique blend of its diverse Greco-Roman & Islamic culture with the offshoots of the Western world. Turkey is the crossroad, the meeting point of two continents, Asia and Europe. It is a truly cosmopolitan place, an age-old crossroads where European charm is forever having a love affair with Oriental mystique. It is a gateway between the new and the old, a unique blend of modern and traditional.

I visited Cappadocia and Istanbul – two very diverse places with absolutely different offerings – one is peaceful and serene, the other vibrant and alive.

Cappadocia’s landscape is unlike any other place and arouses images of fairy chimneys, geological wonders, the tranquil valleys and skyful of colourful hot air balloons.

Istanbul connects the two continents, the Old City and Galata districts from the European side which are connected to the Asian side by several bridges. Istanbul is surrounded by beautiful sparkling water, the Sea of Marmara or Bosphorus – adding a gorgeous dimension to it.

Turkey boasts of several historical monuments and gastronomical delight. A mecca for shoppers, it mesmerises the mind and captures the heart. The vibrant colours of the city, its rich art – soulful music and dance – allures one and all, offering something for everyone in its mystical ways.

The Historical heritage 

Ayasofya or Hagia Sophia Mosque, view of its interior

Sultanahmet Camii or Sultan Ahmed Mosque also called the Blue Mosque, one of its arcs

Inside Sultan Ahmed and Hagia Sophia

Rüstempaşa Camii or Rüstem Pasha Mosque, its exquisite interiors made with Iznik tiles

Interiors of Rustem Pasha and the well lit Hagia Sophia

Galata Kulesi or Galata Tower and Yerebatan Sarayı (Sunken Palace) or Basilica Cistern  

Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı) or Topkapi Palace, a fountain inside the palace

Minaret at Hippodrome and at the Blue Mosque

Frescoes (Paintings) in churches carved in Ihlara Valley (Ihlara Vadisi), the remains of saint at the Goreme Open Air Museum

Panoramic and Spectacular landscapes

Bosphorus

Bosphorus in the evening and by the night

Churches and Chimneys churches in the rose valley

Fairy chimneys

The valleys at Cappadocia and Asian side of Bosphorus

 

The Flavours!!!!

The Beverages  

Çay (Turkish tea) and  Kahve (Turkish coffee)

Cherry juice and Orange juice

The Main Course

Testi Kebabi – Pottery kepab and vegetables. Cooked in clay pots and served with an assortment of naan, rice, salad and lemon

The Desserts

Lokums (Turkish Delights)

and Baklavas

Pistachio Aşure (sweet rice pudding), Flavoured Aşure

Dondurma (Turkish Ice cream)

The Street Food

Turkish Bagels and  Roasted Nuts

The vivacious colours of shopping

Mısır Çarşısı or Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) and Grand Bazaar or Büyük Çarşı

Spices and the aromas

Tea for all reasons and cures

Some for healing and some for ‘love’

Delectable Turkish delights in some exotic flavours too

Mementos to ward the evil eyes off

Hand painted porcelain wares – to embellish the walls

some to make eating more fun

To adorn the feet – for the young and younger ones

The lanterns to light up in many hues

Tinted candle-holders

Turkish carpets and rugs

Rare stones and gems to indulge

And some fresh blooms too

Even the streets are strewn in multiple hues – some real, some not

The fun,frolics and adventure

Hot air balloon ride

Making pots with porcelain and fishing on the street

Feeding the pigeons and dancing away at Club Reina

These are just some of the innumerable things I saw. Turkey has so much to experience and absorb that one trip will be doing disservice to self.