Mosque and more mosques ...

Just kidding, I only went to two of the most famous mosques in Istanbul: Blue mosque and Suleiman mosque. Just remember that both mosques are active and still use for 5 daily prayer so proper clothing must be worn when you want to visit both places.

Proper clothing means that no tank top! Yes, I know it’s hot in Turkey but you need to be considerate with others, right? Men must cover their knee, so no short allowed. Women need to cover their whole body excluding their face; no worries since usually the mosque will provide you with proper clothing on the entrance to wear when you look around. Don’t shout and no flash photography is allowed inside the mosque and last thing you need to take your shoes off. You can find plastic bag before entering the mosque where you can put your shoes and bring with you. Before entering the mosque, I find a place to do wudhu, it’s quite unique since it’s located outside and can be seen by all visitors. Next I found the mosque courtyard, it’s a big square behind the mosque used during big festival like Eid and Eid ul-Adha when more people come to the mosque and needed more space for people to pray.

I am lucky enough to coincide my time travelling to Turkey during Eid ul-Adha, so I be able to pray in the Sultanahmet mosque. It indeed live with it name with beautiful blue interior. The women praying area is on the second floor and the stair made of rock and reminds me of castle in the UK instead of a mosque. Maybe at first the mosque was build as fortress, who knows?

Blue mosque is beautiful with it’s own way but personally I like Suleiman mosque better! Blue mosque is definitely bigger and more grand but there this feels about Suleiman mosque that make me fell in love. Contrast with blue mosque, Suleiman mosque has beige interior and more modern feel. It has the same low lighting which is fascinating and weird at the same time (it’s beautiful to look at from ground floor, but from women praying area it looks like a bunch of string with no purpose).

Other thing that makes me like Suleiman mosque more was this view! Since Suleiman mosque located on a higher ground overlooking Bosporus river and Galata bridge, the view from this mosque is simply stunning. Come to Suleiman mosque near sunset and enjoy the view from the courtyard or many rooftop café nearby. Sit back and enjoy the view Istanbul has to offer! And if you stay long enough, you’ll find the mosque just become more gorgeous when the night comes. 

See you in my next blogspot :)

Foodgasm in Turkey

Yep, you read it right : foodgasm in Turkey! I never thought that I would love Turkish food this much. And Turkish food is more than just kebap, way way more! I start my food journey with ordinary kebap, the one you and I familiar with but first thing first, let correct one thing: it’s not Kebab but Kebap with P, yes a P (my whole life is a lie!!).

 There usually two (or three) types of Kebap meat: chicken, beef and lamb. For you who don’t like lamb, please double check when you buy kebap whether it is beef or lamb OR mix of both! Now we got the meat that we want, let’s choose the type of bread with the meat. Kebab usually used round bread which a little bit flat but not as flat as Paninis (as what my friend eating in the picture), while I choose Durum or special bread like nan bread for my Kebap. My durum kebap have long shaped while doner kebap have round shape. Original Turkish kebap only put meat, vegetable and tomatoes without any additional sauce (I know, I also love the sauce like you did) but since I’m here in Turkey, I’ll try their original recipe for once, right? The price for street kebap is really cheap, starting from 5 to 9 tl.

For lunch I try other Turkish specialty: Testi or pot kebap. Basically it was cube meat with tomato sauce, which taste amazing but how they serve it makes it more entertaining. So they bring the pot with your order inside it and grill using open flame right next to your table, then one person will hold the pot, put it upside down and start knocking the pot until a loud crack means the pot was opened and your meal was ready. The restaurant where I have my lunch makes this so special with every one look at our dish and clap when the pot was opened. Definitely a must try!

Move on from Kebap, I chose to eat Balik ekmek for dinner. Balik ekmek literally means fish in bread and sold around Galata bridge. It is a grilled mackerel with vegetables inside a bread but taste really delicious. You can get balik ekmek for 6tl in small stalls around galata bridge or with just additional 2tl you can sit and enjoy the view from many restaurants under the bridge. Psst, insider tips: even though it tempting to seat on the terrace, try the second floor, the view is even more amazing, less crowded and you will not stared by people walking by.

It’s dessert time!! Maybe some of you already heard of Baklava and Turkish delight? Well, make sure you taste both before leaving Turkey because it’s super delicious! I tasted my first baklava back in Leeds and it a little bit too sweet for me, but when I tasted baklava in the place where it was born, only one word can describe: magical. It still sweet but not too much, with crispy dough and ask for additional pistachio toping for free. I tasted my first chocolate Baklava and I fell in love. With the bitter taste from dark chocolate makes the sweet taste balanced and I’m officially a fan!

I recommend Baklavaci Said in Taksim square if you want to taste the delicious chocolate baklava. It’s just near the metro station Taksim, very easy to find. Each piece cost around 3tl and don’t forget to order Turkish tea with it which also cost 3tl. Turkish tea tasted more bitter than regular tea and come with a small unique cup, but it balance out the sweet taste of baklava.

If you’re in Istanbul, I recommend to spare one day just to taste different Turkish food. I’m sure you will not regret it.

See you in the next blog post J