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.

The Lazy Painter.blog.com in hibernating mode

For the first time, my other blog site was suspended, not because of my inactivity but the website itself. So for the time being, I shall write my thoughts here again. I'm glad that eversince pandamopi bought a new camera,  the Love of photoshooting in me is revived.  From Now on, await more posts and journal as I walked this path in the Merlion city. Stay tuned.

puppies

Blacky gave birth to 3 cute puppies today. Giving birth is a joyous occasion. I feel very touched by Blacky's motherly love towards the pups. How could a human dump babies ? It felt so good to be able to be at home at this moment, celebrating the birth of the three pups. 

 Blacky nursing the three pups. Breastfeeding them.

 it was raining heavily, we shifted the canines to boxes to keep them warm. Blacky did a great job by licking their fur to keep them warm and clean.

I sketched the pups on this special day. May they grow well each day!!!
The birth of the three pups makes our home even more homey.

Annabelle & the rocking horse

 Painted this for Sophia & Peter upon the arrival of Annabelle.

 Painted this for Sophia & Peter upon the arrival of Annabelle :) It was an experience working on this on 3.30 am. i had a hard time keeping my eyes and body awake.