Turkey is often overlooked as a tourist destination due to safety concerns. However, based on personal experience, the country is not as dangerous as perceived. It boasts clean and beautiful cities, friendly locals, and visa-free entry for Thai citizens. A passport is all that is required for a 30-day stay. The journey from Thailand is lengthy, with direct flights on Turkish Airlines taking approximately 9 hours and connecting flights averaging 14 hours. Despite the travel time, Turkey is undoubtedly worth the visit.

Turkey is a transcontinental country, with the majority of its landmass located in Asia. However, Istanbul, the bustling commercial hub and largest city in Turkey, straddles two continents: Asia and Europe. This unique geographical location makes Istanbul a fascinating destination, blending Eastern and Western influences.

Let's begin our exploration of Istanbul.

Upon arriving in Istanbul, the first place to visit is the Hippodrome of Constantinople. In ancient Greek times, this area was a horse racing stadium. Today, only three tall columns remain for tourists to admire.

Jade's trip to Istanbul coincided with the New Year of 2017. The weather was cold and snowy. The wetness on the ground was not rain, but melted snow. Therefore, those who travel abroad during the winter should prepare their bodies, equipment, clothes, and medicine. Otherwise, getting sick will make the trip less enjoyable.

After admiring the Hippodrome of Constantinople, we crossed the street to visit the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. This mosque is the largest in Istanbul. It's important to note that the majority of the Turkish population adheres to Islam, although this may not be immediately apparent due to the European-style clothing worn by most residents.

In front of the Blue Mosque, there is a fountain where tourists and Istanbulites can relax and take beautiful pictures.

The interior of the mosque is adorned with intricate glasswork and decorative patterns. Throughout the day, Muslim worshippers engage in religious ceremonies within its walls. Female visitors should pay close attention to signage and listen carefully to the guide, as access to the prayer area is restricted. They are permitted to observe and photograph from designated areas outside the prayer space.

After admiring the beauty of the Blue Mosque, we looked around for something to eat. Istanbul also has street food, such as carts selling roasted chestnuts and corn. The taste is similar to chestnuts and corn back home, and it was delicious.

Following the Blue Mosque is the Hagia Sophia, a former Catholic church and one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World. Its massive dome, the fourth largest in the world, is truly awe-inspiring.

The interior features an image of the Virgin Mary and is adorned with beautiful lamps.

This is an image of a demon etched in marble inside a church. Can you identify it?

Across the street from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, not far away, lies the Yerebatan Cistern, an underground water storage tunnel. It was used to store water for the palace in the past. The interior is a bit dark, so be careful when walking. This water reservoir is inexplicably magical. You have to walk down into the underground, and then there will be many pillars.

This pillar is a Medusa-shaped pillar. Many people may have heard of or seen movies about Medusa. Medusa has the power to turn anyone who looks into her eyes into stone. So, they cleverly created a Medusa-shaped pillar upside down so that she would not curse anyone but instead guard this reservoir forever. It sounds a little scary.

After admiring the architectural beauty of Istanbul, let's change the atmosphere and visit a market. This is the Spice Market, or you can call it the Spice Market. But the market doesn't just have spices. Let's see what else is there.

Let's start with the local spices.

This shop sells beautiful handmade painted ceramics. They have a wide variety of items, including clocks, cups, bowls, and lamps. I bought a small dipping sauce cup for my mother as a souvenir. The price was reasonable, and the shopkeeper carefully packaged it with bubble wrap to ensure it arrived safely in Thailand.

Next, let's move on to Turkish Delight, a famous Turkish dessert known for its sweetness. It has a chewy texture and comes in a wide variety of flavors. It is traditionally enjoyed with tea. Be warned, Turkish Delight is very sweet! Feel free to sample it at any of the market stalls here. The vendors are friendly, and you can always buy from the stall you like best.

This country has a wide variety of colorful and delicious desserts.

The friendly vendors here even posed for photos with us tourists. This is a cheese shop, and the large wheels of cheese are sure to make your mouth water.

The young men here are good-looking. (wink wink)

Let's continue our journey to the highlight of Istanbul, a delightful cruise along the Bosphorus Strait.

In fact, the sailing date was the next morning, as it was during this time that the weather was good and we were able to take beautiful pictures with the sunrise.

The Bosphorus Strait, a narrow waterway that divides Istanbul between Europe and Asia, connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. This strategic location has made Istanbul a major port city, serving as a vital link between Asia and Europe.

The bridge in the picture is the Bosphorus Bridge, which serves as a land route for travel between Asia and Europe in the city of Istanbul.

A visit to Istanbul is incomplete without witnessing the breathtaking Bosphorus Strait, a must-see highlight of the city.

Concluding with a sweet picture on the boat (whether it's sweet or not, I'm not sure, haha).

How about it? After reading this, are you eager to visit Istanbul? Turkey has much more to offer than just Istanbul. In the next episode, I will tell you about other cities and attractions worth visiting in this country. Stay tuned for Unseen Turkey Episode 2. For now, goodbye!

Continue to Unseen Turkey Episode 2 Ephesus - Cappadocia - Pamukkale https://th.readme.me/p/11083

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