Üsküdar--Cinaralti, Çengelköy--İstiklâl Caddesi

Our second last day was spent with our new found friends, Hasanali Atalay from Ankara, Turkey and Pablo Gaspar from Portugal via Mesa de Español, in Istanbul earlier. Our random chat about the city and passion for sketching gave Ali the idea of showing us to less touristy part of Istanbul. We had a great time exploring the other part of Istanbul (eastern part of Istanbul). The view is breathtaking as usual. I cannot imagine how it feels like to work in this city, mesmerized again and again by the beauty of city. Only the local would know.


Best borek in Istanbul

Ali brought us to Cinaralti, Çengelköy to have the best borek with çay. There were no tourists, only local eating in this simple cafe yet overlooking the most stunning view. I quickly took out my sketchbook and sketch the beautiful bridge overlooking Bosphorus River while enjoying delicious borek with cay. Life could not be better this way.

We took public water transport back to Western part of Istanbul. The idea is to have the best coffee in Mandabatmaz Cafe, tucked in a secret corner in İstiklâl Caddesi. Not only we had great coffee, we had great conversation which we would be remembering it for a very long time.

On our way back to Karakoy

Sketched this while waiting Paulo to fetch João.

Thanks for the precious time and friendship.

Till we meet again!

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.