Istanbul Turkey 2014

Istanbul 7-13 Dec 2014

 

Simit Sarayi Istanbul 8Dec 2014

Galatatower Istanbul 8Dec2014

Feridiyi Ave Istanbul 8Dec2014

Istiklal Istanbul 8Dec2014

7 Dec 2014 Sunday_Anticipating a big shower, Istanbul bus was late and soaking wet waiting at an open stop at Alexanderoupolis  port. We left at 3 arrived Istanbul 10:30pm. Both checkpoints took hours. A free shuttle took us to busy Taksim square, barbers are doing a roaring business at midnight. Turkmenistan Surbah at Pembe Cati showed us the Ikea furnished room in the heart of Taksim.

8 Dec 2014 Monday_ start the morning at Simit Sarayi with cay, coffee and buns, hanged out at Taksim square. Down the busy Istiklal street have a tasty kebab lunch at Ozzy kebab. A look at the inside of the Holy Trinity church. Along the Bosphorous coast and the undulating hills to Galata tower.

Ozzy Kebap Feridiye Istanbul 8Dec2014

Pembe Cati Apt on Feridiyi Istanbul 9Dec2014

 

9 Dec 2014 Tuesday_Lunch at overpriced Selvi of  lamb, mixed veg, rice and dolmas. Escaped the crowd by touring SALT gallery with interesting take on photos, through Cecek Pasiji, St Maria church, Turkish coffee and cay by the side road with shisha smoking. Leman came to pick us to her flat in Cihangir.

10 Dec 2014 Wednesday _Rainy and grey, Plenty of  supermarkets, eateries and well fed homeless cats. At the kiosk for Istanbulkarts, old style mosques are everyhere. a city of 12 millions is never short of human interaction.

Kadikoy Istanbul 11Dec2014

Bosphorous Istanbul 11Dec2014

Floating grill fish Eminonu Istanbul 11Dec2014

11 Dec 2014 Thursday_Tophane stop to Mamara Subway-Asian side subway Kadikoy.  Rode the ferry over to Eminönü pier near the Galata Bridge. Tarihi Eminönü Balik Ekmek stall for tasty fish (mackerel) 6lira, directly grilled on the boat and then put in a half-bread together with some salad and onions. walked to spice bazaar and new mosque (yeni camii) crossed the Galata bridge. Asked at turkcell, 120lira(usd51.82) just to register your gadget before getting SIM.

12 Dec 2014 Friday_Ran out soaking wet in the rain for groceries.

13 Dec 2014 Saturday_ 2 change of trams to Artaturk airport to meet M. She is flying in from Milan Italy.

Thessaloniki & Alexanderoupolis 2014a

Thessaloniki 24 Nov- 4 Dec 2014

Aegean Sea Thessaloniki Greece_24Nov2014

Rotunda & Galerius Arch Thessaloniki Greece_24Nov2014

White Tower_Thessaloniki Greece_24Nov2014

 

Nov 24, 2014 Monday_ Cold morning, booked Sofia cab failed to arrive to bus station for 8am Thessaloniki bus. A stranger helped call Smart taxi but no sign. Pretzel woman tried calling. Taxi arrived turn out to be the same booked taxi but we did not find out why he failed to come. Rushed to catch the bus. Smooth ride came with served ham sandwich and yogurt drink at halfway Happy Grill. Arrived at 1:30 took a cab and Stelio was waiting by the roadside. Walked to the crowded Arch of Galerius, White Tower closed on Monday, framed by the setting sun over Aegean Sea. Lots of people milling around the city, no signs of downturn. Homemade dinner.

 

 

 

Toured Artutuk museum, ascended Ano Poli (Upper Town) Thessaloniki Greece_25Nov2014

Entered a really old mosque and church and had delicious Souvlaki Thessaloniki Greece_25Nov2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olives Modiano Thessaloniki Greece_26Nov2014

Akadimia Thessaloniki Greece_26Nov2014

Nov 26 Wednesday_local buffet with fresh small fish, mousakka, local green vegetables, fava beans, breads, Through the fresh Modiano market, circled the city with locals and pigeons at Aristotelous Square, Lots of trading going on.

Kapani market, fried octopus small fish white beans salad fries and Alfa beer for Thanksgiving with live singer and music Thessaloniki Greece_27Nov2014

Went to the Jewish museum, Hamam bath, strikers on street are anti-austerity. Thessaloniki Greece_26Nov2014

Nov 28 Friday Chillax inside, drizzling and cold.

Visited the 14th century Byzantine St. Nicholas Orphanos church with frescoes on the wall. Later went further up to Eptapyrgio Thessaloniki Greece_29Nov2014

Foggy view at the top of the Eptapyrgio. Gallery was opened by asking for viewing, Stopped for coffee at 7to7. Fish and lamb lunch at Sadat. Thessaloniki Greece_29Nov2014

Nov 30 Sunday chillax at Apt. Grey day and wet, no sun at all

Stunning Aegean sea view, expensive 8 euros coffee and tea at Kitchen Bar Thessaloniki Greece_1Dec2014

Open air with drivers’ screaming at Gyradiko Masa Thessaloniki Greece_1Dec2014

Dec 2 Tuesday Drizzling, Checked out Plateia mall, Mark & Spencer with Christmas goodies,and H&M filled with holiday shoppers along this classy streets.

Shot from the White Tower Thessaloniki Greece_3 Dec 2014

Highest point of the White Tower Thessaloniki Greece_3 Dec 2014

Dec 3 Wednesday_ For usd8 we climbed White Tower cum gallery with hand held phones to guide us through the exhibits showing the founding of Thessaloniki to modern era. Tower itself is nteresting. Ate pizza and souvlaki along the way back. The University is in the heart of the city and students are all over.

Alexanderoupolis 4 – 9 Dec 2014

Dec 4 Thursday_cab at 9am for 10:15 am bus to Alexanderpoulis.  Smooth ride and 4 hours later in raining Alexanderpoulis. Rolled our baggages into a clean bright big Apartment  Athina, 3 blocks from bus station.  City was closed from 2-5:30pm as it is siesta time. Business reopened and able to get tickets to Istanbul after our soulvaki at Chicken story.

Thracian Sea Thessaloniki Greece 5 Dec 2014

One of the many cats Thracian Sea Thessaloniki Greece 5 Dec 2014

4:50 euros a bottle dry grape juice Alexanderoupolis Greece 5 Dec 2014

Dec 5 Friday_Athina apartment came with buffet brekkie, tried sage (good) and linden( very weak) teas. Rainy day forecasted. Down to Thracian sea, passed the light house, entered St Nicholas Cathedral, the priest told us St Nicholas’ Day parade tomorrow.

St Nicholas’ Day parading through Alexanderoupolis Greece on 6 Dec 2014

Dec 7 Sunday_ Leaving for Istanbul.