I was in Turkey

Turkey Blogs

Istanbul’s Million Dollar Views
Written by Casey on January 3rd, 2012 in I was in TurkeyNo comments yet

It’s lucky Istanbul’s urban sprawl is gifted with nature’s beauty. Just when the clutter of houses and chaos of traffic start to choke, it suddenly gives way to glistening, lapping waves of three wonderful waterways. At the crossroad of the city lie the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and Marmara Sea, blessing Istanbul with amazing scenery and panoramic views. As the sky changes from day to night, the glint of the sun’s water reflection is replaced by the glitter of a million twinkling lights. Istanbul’s views are sure to etch themselves in your memory. These a just a few favourite places to...

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Turkish Airlines, the best in-flight food around
Written by jcave on December 20th, 2011 in Eat & DrinkNo comments yet

If there’s one part of flying that gets a hard rap, it’s the food. But you can’t say it’s not in some ways deserved. We’ve all been served at least one terrible meal on a flight, haven’t we? It may be the case that airline food is rapidly improving, thanks to a competitive marketplace and plenty of complaints from hungry fliers, but the quality of the fare still does depend on who you book your seats with. Squishy mystery substances and scorching hot – yet strangely tasteless – sauces, the assault to our taste buds is all the more irritating...

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Secrets of Istanbul’s history
Written by Casey on December 6th, 2011 in I was in TurkeyNo comments yet

To those who know the history of Istanbul’s turbulent past, each name and location can reveal a treasury of secrets. Open the vault to reveal a couple of interesting facts about Istanbul’s history. Istanbul claims fame from being the only city in the world to straddle two continents. However, historically, Istanbul’s centre was only situated on the European side while two separate cities existed on the Asian side. It only came to incorporate these separate cities and become a cross continental city in the 20th century. In fact, the extent of Istanbul today is the result of explosive immigration that...

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Nuclear Turkey: Keeping it Clean
Written by Valantis on November 23rd, 2011 in I was in Turkey1 Comment

Japan has been hit with a calamity comparable only to that of the atomic bombs that befell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As we watched from our television screens and computer monitors in horror the tsunamis wiping out towns and villages, we were unaware of what would happen next. Within hours, word broke out that one of Japan’s nuclear sites had exploded, and within days, radiation reached lands as far as Italy and arguably the US. These awful events have now opened up new discussions concerning the plans proposed for Turkey’s new nuclear power plant developments. The debate, sparked by a...

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Hagia Sophia’s History – A cathedral, mosque and museum
Written by Casey on November 8th, 2011 in History, I was in Turkey, Religions in Turkey, Travel, World Heritage3 Comments

Hagia Sophia was such an architectural feat of its time that Emperor Justinian I supposedly declared ‘Oh, Solomon I have outdone thee!’ It’s the only building in the world to have served as a Catholic Cathedral, as well as hold the seat of Greek Orthodox Christianity and Sunni Islam. Known as many names, to English it’s ‘The Church of the Holy Wisdom’, to Greeks as ‘Hagia Sophia’, ‘Saint Sophia’ in Latin and ‘Ayasofya’ or ‘Aya Sofya’ in Turkish. From cathedral to mosque to museum, it’s no surprise that it’s universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world....

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Izmir: The Center of It All
Written by Valantis on October 23rd, 2011 in Eat & Drink, History, Living in TurkeyNo comments yet

Many questioned me when I explained that I was moving to Izmir. The automatic, almost robotic response was, and still is sometimes “Why not Istanbul?” Of course, Istanbul is a city unparalleled in history, architecture, and food. It’s a globalized city, as you will see from the explosion of capitalistic shopping centers and eatery chains. In many ways, Istanbul does have it all. But I would argue that Izmir has an edge over Istanbul in terms of living and lifestyle, due to its location and environment, which still makes it the pearl of the Aegean. The positive aspects about the...

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The Many Historical Names of Istanbul
Written by Casey on September 2nd, 2011 in History, Religions in Turkey4 Comments

A quick guide to the transient names of Istanbul over its history. With a transient past of ownership and religions, it’s no surprise the city of Istanbul has a chronicle of names. Trace the history of Istanbul’s names as it changed from the hands of Byzantines to Latin Crusaders, from Ottomans to Turks.

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Turkey- Drinking It In
Written by Suzanne on July 19th, 2011 in Eat & Drink4 Comments

Ayran was my first love in Turkey. I discovered the yogurt drink at a touristy restaurant in the old town, Sultanahmet, when I randomly ordered it off the drinks list, probably attracted by the word “traditional” next to it. “Would you like it salted?” The waiter asked. I said no, I don’t know why. I’ve never wanted anything unsalted in my life. “Have you had ayran before?” “Yes,” I lied irritably. “Of course.” The drink was disappointing, but I was determined to enjoy it. When the waiters weren’t looking, I shook some table salt into the glass. It was transformed....

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Pastimes at Pierre Loti
Written by Casey on July 4th, 2011 in History, I was in Turkey, Travel4 Comments

Unlike its Bosphorus brother, the Golden Horn did not inherit bold beauty, luxury mansions, suave cafes and swanky restaurants. Having spent the better past of history remaking its image, it now offers clean and quiet tranquility that attracts local crowds to its shores. Watching over the Golden Horn’s fight for survival, a little hilltop cafe stood steadfast and dedicated, Pierre Loti Cafe. This lookout point and café has continued to attract visitors to its humble dwellings for offering the best views of the Golden Horn. As the sunset truly burns the waters golden, the ethereal beauty is not lost as...

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Say “CHEESE”!
Written by Umut on May 26th, 2011 in Eat & Drink, Living in Turkey, Turkish Culture5 Comments

My love for cheese is so big that almost makes me believe I was a mouse in my previous life! It’s a “must have” in my cooler and I can eat it any time of the day. Although I do not know the history of cheese but I know for sure that it has a special place in Turkish cuisine. For those who needs to know what cheese is Turkish Food Regulation described it as a dairy product with particular taste, aroma and consistency, produced by coagulating raw milk, UHT milk or milk cooked at 72 degrees for two minutes...

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