3 Days In Istanbul – Where Europe Meets Asia

It has been almost 1 year to the day since I last took an international flight, I was excited. After setting off from my front door spending the best part of an evening bouncing between train, coach and train again I had arrived at London Stansted Airport. I was in the sat in the departure lounge with my standard pre flight coffee eagerly waiting to board the Pegasus Airlines plane that would transport me to Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia. Departure was at 00:05 and fast approaching and I was hoping for at least a few hours sleep, so that I could make the most of my 3 day weekend in the 13th largest city in the world and 61st country I have visited, Turkey.

At 5:35am I land in Turkey, after a n easy Pegasus Airlines flight. I amused myself with reruns of my favourite shows, but as expected I did not sleep. I was now approaching 24 hours and in dire need of some shut eye. I cleared passport control, found myself walking towards a coach with the driver shouting `Taksim`and thought that will do me. I hopped on, paid the 28 Lira and arrived about an hour later.

A quick burst of coffee in the well placed Cafe Nero and omelette with a follow up coffee in the first place I could find I arrived in Karakoy, at the By Murat Royal Hotel Galata. I had requested an early check in, but this was not to be. I spent the next few hours roaming the streets of my new surroundings, grabbing a kebab lunch and trying my best to stay awake. At 13:15, there was a breakthrough, what I had been waiting for, my room was ready. I walked in the room, freshened up and slept for a solid 4 hours ready to explore.

I had chosen the new place to be in Istanbul (apparently), Karakoy. It was a short 20 minute walk from the tourist area and even closer to the ferry dock. Perfectly placed. I spent what was left of the day wandering around what would be home for the next couple of days, stopping off at the Galata Tower, Karakoy`s main streets and finished the evening in a restaurant I found in a crossroads at the much happening nightlife area. I ordered myself a beautiful dish of sizzling lamb, bread ad cup of tea before returning to the hotel and some well deserved shut eye.

My first full day in Istanbul I woke up refreshed and ready to hit the sights. My main area of interest was going to be the district of Sultanahmet where you can find all of the main sites in Istanbul. En route to the bridge too cross the river I had to stop by a small kebab shop where I was chatting to one of the waiters last night as I promised I`d return for brunch this morning. What I like about Istanbul its perfectly acceptable t eat a chicken doner platter at 11am and I am glad I did as it was cheap, tasty and was washed down with a Turkish coffee.

I initially wanted to visit Topkapi Palace first, but upon arrival the queues were absolutely horrendous and not wanting to pay a guide to accompany me and `skip` the queue I swiftly moved on. A few minutes walk and I found myself at the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, which are some of the iconic pictures you will see from Istanbul. I stepped inside the Hagia Sophia and enjoyed the Blue Mosque from its exterior as it wasn’t due to open again until 14:30. Istanbul had been a long time `want to` visit and it was great to finally see the city.

I carried on with my personal walking tour until, as expected I found myself with an addition on the tour and a request to go and look in a carpet shop. I politely accepted, but advised I would not be purchasing and with the usual response of `its free to look` I found myself enjoying a Turkish tea and rejecting several offerings of carpet. After a few more attempts of persuading me to buy a carpet and getting personal I thanked them for their time and left.

As I continued to head towards Basilica Cistern via Little Hagia Sophia and a few other smaller point of interest I stopped for a brief soup and tea before continuing on. Much to my disappointment the Basilica was closed for refurbishment, but I took it in my stride and made my way towards the bazaars of Istanbul. I`m not much of a shopper, s I tend to visit these places as its where things come to life and you can see the hustle and bustle in full swing.

I made my way back towards the ferry terminals and jumped on the next Eminonu – Kadikoy departure to visit the Asian side of the city and the restaurant called Ciya Sofrasi. I had read about this restaurant online and they serve Turkish cusine from some of the South East regions and as that area had been my original plan for this trip it seemed very appropriate to pay them a visit. The food was absolutely epic, especially the giant pepper! I ended the evening with a ferry ride back and walked along the river front back to my hotel for a well deserved rest.

For my last day in Istanbul I would be attending the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park, which would be the 2nd Grand Prix I have attended. Previously I have been to the glitz and glamour of the Singapore GP. It was going to be a packed day as I was flying that same night to Tbilisi, Georgia. I packed up my things and stopped off at my new Karakoy kebab establishment for a quick lunch and then the ferry terminal to Uskudar. From there a 25 minute subway ride to one of the buses that will take to Istanbul Park.

As we got closer to the track a lot of traffic started to gather and eventually the bus stopped. After about 15 minutes the doors opened and everyone got off the bus and started walking down the road and as I got further through the traffic I could see people parking on the hard shoulder and abandoning their vehicles. It turned into a 3km stampede to the track to make the start of the race, it was like something out of a film where everyone was escaping a world disaster. It was complete madness!!!

As I approached the circuit the carnage reached a whole new level. Everyone was arriving at the same time trying to rush their way through to the security point and gain entry. My seats were in silver 6 on the corners of 9 and 10, which involved another bus ride and by this point it was clear I was not going to make the start. I accepted my fate and got to my seat as quickly as i could. The view was absolutely perfect and there was a huge TV screen in front of the grandstand, so I could watch all of the action unfold.

The seats were absolutely fantastic and not even the drizzle dampened my spirits for what was a great race. There was a food stand around the back, so a mid race kebab sandwich was ordered with a coffee to warm up. The laps flew by and as much as I had hoped for a Max win I was very pleased to see both Red Bull drivers on the podium. A perfect finish to the race and the day.

After the trophy presentations I scrambled through the crowds and jumped on the first bus that had space. It was a slow departure, but eventually we got moving and once back on the outskirts of the city I changed to a train and arrived at the airport to clear security and relax before my midnight flight to Tbilisi. I set up camp in Starbucks and waited to board.

Istanbul was a perfect way to reintroduce myself to travel and just the first part of this 16 day adventure. Its an absolutely incredible city full of history, architecture and great food. Definitely a must see place.