Boat Cruise @Bosphorus River

One of the best way to get to know Istanbul in a short span of time is to go for a Boat Cruise at Bosphorus River. There were many random locals that went around selling tickets and recommending this boat cruise but we were only convinced to go for it after speaking to local friends whom we newly met in Mesa de Español, a couch surfing event. This is undoubtedly a great decision as we thoroughly enjoy the cruise. One tip before you sign up for this cruise is that you would only enjoy if you are interested in architecture and history. We were so blessed and lucky as a senior Turkish couple who queued before us at the ticket counter handed us a special ticket that entitled us to full boat cruise journey at half the price. She was unable to speak English but she tried her best to communicate with us using sign language. Such is the helpful spirit which we found almost everywhere in Istanbul. As we were very interested in knowing this beautiful city, we rented the audio and it was very helpful. The audio act as a tour guide, telling histories of the place and buildings. It was like an interesting live history lesson.

Sketched the view below, overlooking Galata Bridge before the boat left the port.

The boat cruise stopped at the last point called Anadolu Kavagi, where we could alighted from the boat and explored for 2 hours. We walked and made our way up to Kalesi Castle. We almost gave up halfway as we were a little hungry and exhausted but thankfully we did not. It was all worth it. The view is beautiful.

A lonely dog at Kalesi Castle, Anadolu Kavagi

 

We had a brief brunch at one of the restaurant overlooking the sea. The seafood tasted great. Not long after, we boarded the boat cruise, ready to cruise back to Karakoy. While waiting for the boat to depart from Anadolu Kavagi, I looked out the window and sketch this beautiful sight of daily activities of men fixing fish net on the boat.

 

Süleymaniye Mosque

There are many heritage architecture in Istanbul that is not to be missed :Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque (more popularly known as Blue Mosque), Basilica Cistern and the list goes on and on. One of favorite mosque in Istanbul is Suleymaniye Mosque. It is less touristy but equally beautiful and mesmerizing. The surrounding of the mosque is tranquil and peaceful. I found a spot where I sketched this beautiful mosque. Lovely time taking the time as slow as I could and upholding the spirit of sketching.

Interior view featuring the prayer area. To respect their culture and custom, we removed our shoes and also dressed modestly (eg with scarf drapped over head).

Rock Formation near Goreme, Cappadocia

Cappadocia is mainly famous for its hot air balloon industry and trekking.
There were too many sites to visit but we had very limited time and money to do everything as much as we wish so. Alas, we chose to have a taste of trekking in Cappadocia and the destination we chose is Rose Valley.

It is indeed interesting to know why the beautiful land is called Cappadocia (the local called it Kapadokya). Apparently, Cappadocia’s old Persian name is Katpatuka, which possibly means “the land/country of beautiful horses.” Some sources says that “Cappadocia” could also come from the Luwian language which means “Low Country.”

The trekking journey can be challenging as the sand is pretty loose and we did not equipped ourselves with walking guide. It was a great experience as we depend on each other to go through various obstacles. Venturing together into the unknown together is exciting. There is always a mix of uncertainty and excitement.

We rested a bit and I took the opportunity to have a quick sketch on some interesting rock formation in front of me. Serene and tranquil, that is the mode of that particular moment. No urgency, no appointments, no time to catch.

Halfway to Rose Valley

As soon as we reached Rose Valley, we felt a tremendous sense of achievement as we looked back how far we got. We made it because we did it together. It was exciting because we trekked this place together. We got a bit lost on our way home but we enjoyed walking back miles over miles. There was some moments where we were just silent, just enjoying the journey as the sun kissed our skin. We shared one MP3 player listening to the same music as we trotted our way back. The feeling of being comfortable with being silent and yet still enjoying the sacred moment of trekking together is beautiful. We didn’t need to say much, but we felt the same thing.

Our stay in Goreme was brief. On the last day in Goreme, Cappadocia, we were a little emotional as we knew that the magical moments in Cappadocia will exist only in the form of memory from now on. As we were waiting for our shuttle to the airport, I looked out the window from a small waiting room in Sato Cave Hotel and sketched the last view in front of me. So long, Cappadocia! Thank you for the great time and memories. 

You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place…

the magical cappadocia

We made our way to Cappadocia on 11 May 2015 and stayed there until 13 May 2015, using local domestic airline – Pegasus. My husband, Pandamopi was not fully recovered from fever and flu yet then. We checked in a cafe hotel – Sato Cave Hotel in Goreme.

If there is a word to describe Cappadocia, it has to be magical. Every moment in Cappadocia is precious. The nature has overwhelmed us again and again as we trotted from one site to another.

The weather was sunny as we made our way to Open Air Museum in Goreme. A precious tip we got from TripAdvisor is to bring sunnies and hat as the sun was too bright. Nonetheless, the sight of the rock formation took our breath away. We never thought this place existed.

 
One of the things not to be missed beside hot air balloon is to catch sunset. We trotted to Goreme Sunset Point to catch the sunset. No words could probably describe how beautiful the sight is unless you are there.
   
Husband pandamopi does not sketch as much but he loves photography.

view outside nar suites pera

We spent our first 3 nights in this quaint hotel called Nar Suites Pera located in Sahkulu Mah. Sahkulu Sok. No:13, Estambul 34420, Turkey. It is a nice hotel tucked in a very quiet yet beautiful corner in Beyoglu. Husband Pandamopi was sick by the time we reached Istanbul due to time difference and also being caught in the rain when we arrived Istanbul. Being lost and having a heavy downpour is the last thing we wish when travelling but it all went well, despite a little frustration and argument on which way to go (you know this happens all the time, but all for the better).

We had a good stay in the hotel, unfortunately the view outside the room was another building. It was probably not the best sight of all but I learnt to find beauty in everything through sketching and felt happy to discover little details that were actually interesting: little garden at the adjacent building, pipes, roof, shadows, TV satelitte…etc.

I guessed being in a holiday does makes me feel happy even I am not facing the best view while in the room. By the time I am almost done with this piece, Chunkeat was prompting me to get prepared for another day of exploration.

catching sunrise at Galata Bridge

One of the most breathtaking moment is to watch sunrise together. The city is still beautiful despite being a little more quiet. Men rose early and equipped themselves and started fishing by the bridge.

The fact that I am still alive and able to appreciate this beautiful sight reminds me how blessed and lucky am I. Today, I realised I want to just live for this beautiful moment – watching sunrise with love in Galata Bridge.

You certainly could not say no to this. This is just too beautiful…
Waking up early for this is definitely worth it.

sketching while waiting @istanbul modern art museum & @yeni mosque

We were a little too early for Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. So we sat down in front of the museum and sketched one of the historical building which was under restoration works. A Japanese teacher who came to Istanbul for her student’s wedding chipped in to engaged in a small conversation with us and she loved watching us draw. I had to put the drawing to a stop when we are allowed to enter Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. The museum was amazing.
The sketch below was done after a day’s of walking around the city. Our legs were dead tired, literally begging us to stop to rest. So we sat down at one corner overlooking Yeni Mosque. There was an archway framing the Galata Bridge and the beautiful river. There were two shy Turkish who sat from afar, watching us sketch and spoke to us a little to find out where are we from. Proudly told them we are from Malaysia :D

istanbul, beyoglu

Time flies. Without us realizing, it has been a year since our wedding day – 10 May 2014. It has been a great year together as a married couple. So many things took place within such a short span of time. To celebrate a year of love, we went for a holiday in Istanbul.

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country’s economic, cultural and historic heart, making it an interesting place to visit. Our trip stretches from 7 May 2015 – 17 May 2015. 3 days in Istanbul, 3 days in Cappadocia and the final 3 days in Istanbul again.

The architecture in Istanbul is breathtaking. I particularly had a great time sketching in this beautiful city. Thanks to my dear husband who always knows how to enjoy himself while waiting for me to complete my sketch. Through sketching on the streets, I met many beautiful people who like to look at my artwork and exchange small conversations and story.

Our love for Spanish language brought us to one of a Spanish-speaking meetup called Mesa de Español. Over our casual conversation, I share on my passion for sketching and show one of the locals, which we eventually became friends. He was impressed on how I sketched his city and decided that we should go to an outing on Saturday and do things which is less touristy. It was an amazing experience and I am glad that how sketching could also helped us make friends.

Seated at a quaint cafe located at one of the secret corner in Beyoglu, we had our very first Turkish çay. The rain just stopped a while ago, so it was pretty chilly. The warm tea works just perfect for the setting. I’m fascinated by the setting of the humble cafe, with small furniture donned with beautiful bright colour table cloth with distinctive Turkish motives.




I could not ask for more at that moment. Life is perfect. Sipping hot turkish tea, overlooking such a beautiful foreign place, doing the things that I love most with the person I love. Life is beautiful.