Istanbul 2009

Here are some of the photos I took when I went to Istanbul in September 2009. It was my first time and hopefully not the last.

Istanbul is a vibrant city. Despite the fact that it was Ramadan and that apparently the city is much quieter during that period there was still a lot going on and the bars and restaurants were still buzzing. The food in Istanbul is simply fantastic, very tasty, and the vegetables and fruits are super fresh and full of flavour.

I have friends living in Istanbul and so it was great to experience the city the way the locals do. Of course, I still did the usual touristic itinerary: Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Grand Baazar, Istanbul Modern, rooftop bars and restaurants of Taksim etc. and so you should as it is really worth it! I particularly loved taking the boats up the Bosphorus, getting lost in the streets and discovering little gems along the way. The city’s history is so rich and fascinating that it is worth buying a guide and reading all about it whilst you are there.

I also went to the Asian side of the city, crossing the Bosphorus by boat and coming back with a Dolmus (shared taxi). It’s quite an experience: these guys drive at like 150 km/h on the beautiful bridge that connects Europe and Asia. I really thought I would die racing on that bridge!

And of course, a trip to Istanbul wouldn’t be complete without a game of backgammon whilst smoking the Nargile, which I enjoyed very much…