Spring Blossoms by the Bosphorus

Turkey, Spring 2008

Turkey, admittedly, wasn’t our first choice when Jay and I decided to go for an escape-the-Delhi-summer, travel-before-the-baby-comes trip. We were initially thinking about Nepal (as it turns out, high altitudes aren’t good for expectant moms), then seeing the bargain deals to Europe on the Indian dailies, we then mulled either Italy or Switzerland. Turkey was mentioned now and then, but it always stayed at the sidelines, so to speak. Then, when we’d just about decided on Italy, the travel agent sprung the catch on us: the package would actually cost 50 percent more than the advertised rate due to some flight scheduling problems. Of course we said “No, thank you!” in a huff. And it turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise because it nudged us towards the dark horse, Turkey, and one of the most wonderful trips we’ve ever taken. I’m sure Italy would have been spectacular too, but firm believer in Providence that I am, I know that is another journey we’ll make later, as we’re meant to.

Aya Sofya / Hagia Sophia: Church of the Holy Wisdom

Clockwise from top: Night view of Aya Sofya; Mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary carrying Baby Jesus, together with Emperor John Comnenus II and Empress Eirene; The Deesis Mosaic (The Last Judgment), which shows Jesus flanked by Mother Mary and John the Baptist.

The Blue Mosque / Sultan Ahmet Camii

Clockwise from top left: A shrouded figure is illuminated by light streaming in from the Blue Mosque's stained glass windows, of which there are supposedly 260; A view of the Blue Mosque from the rooftop cafe cum bar of Sultan's Inn Hotel, where we stayed for two nights; A shot of me taken by Jay near the Sultanahmet tram stop, with the Blue Mosque in the background.

Clockwise from top: A fellow visitor taking a picture of the Blue Mosque from the Hippodrome-side entrance; Interior of the dome over the main door, which only worshippers are supposedly permitted to use but through which we unwittingly entered on two of our three visits to the mosque; The Blue Mosque’s interior takes on a golden cast at night due to tungsten lighting, as opposed to the natural illumination of daytime that offers a glimpse of it bathed in the hues that gave the mosque its nickname.

There is a magical quality to the mosque's courtyard at night.

Sultanahmet / Cankurtaran: The Traveler's Hub in Istanbul

The part of Old Istanbul where travelers, particularly the backpacker sort, like to congregate is often referred to as Sultanahmet, after the name of the Blue Mosque, which is the area's most famous landmark. However, most of the inns, cafes and souvenir shops actually occupy the area adjoining Sultanahmet, called Cankurtaran.

It only struck me while perusing our photos of the trip how fond of the color yellow the folks at Cankurtaran are. A good number of the inns in the area sport the color in various shades, something that no doubt adds to the bright and vibrant aura of the place.

Terraces with Bosphorus views are de rigeur for inns and restaurants in the area. They are delightful spots to have a leisurely breakfast or to watch the setting sun with drink in hand.

The night life in the area is pretty mild and mellow. You can take your pick from the many little cafes and cay bahcesi (teahouses), like Cafe Mesale in Arasta Bazaar, shown here, where you can smoke a nargileh (hookah or waterpipe) and catch a whirling dervish performance (don't expect real dervishes though -- this is purely geared for tourists).