Here's a few videos I never got to upload to Youtube. I'll start uploading all of my videos during travel now incase anything happens to my computer. T.T (then at least I still have them)
This was taken in the grounds of Sultan Ahmed during the Simit Festival. Yeah no kidding, a festival for their local Turkish bagel.
This is a vidoe of one of the street buskers during the Festival. The moment she put the frying pan looking thing on the ground, I thought she was a snake charmer. Looks like shes an exotic musician. =)
This one is a performance during the festival.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Türkiye. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Türkiye. Show all posts
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Istanbul : Hadja Pasha
The first reason I was here was to watch a belly dance show. Blame it on my sister. She got us hooked to it.
And just because I have big fat hips, it doesn't mean that I can do a perfect shimmy. I'm so horrible at dances where I need to remember my steps. I just go stiff. But you can rely on me dancing in the dark. huahaha..
There were a few choices to choose from to watch a traditional Turkish dance show. Some included a cruises, some dinner but we chose going to watch the Hadja Pasha Cultural Dance Show.
Location : Serkeci
Price : 50 TL per person (refreshments included)
Duration : 1 and a half hour
It was more than belly dancing. They performed wedding dances, cultural dances from parts of Turkey, warrior dances and also a Shepard dance.
Photos and video recordings were not allowed to be done during performences. Please take note of that. But I still see people holding their video cams recording. I found a video on Youtube actually. Just search Hadja Pasha.
With all due respect, I didn't record any of their performances. Those dancers worked hard and the last thing they want is people to steal their dance routine.
Anyway, about the venue. It was actually a Hamam once upon a time. A hamam is a Turkish Bath, more like a traditional spa. A whole building for a spa.
So they turned this hamam into a cultural performance venue and it was very pretty. With the lighting and all.
Outside, they have discriptions of the dance and it's history, where it comes from and their purpose.
And just because I have big fat hips, it doesn't mean that I can do a perfect shimmy. I'm so horrible at dances where I need to remember my steps. I just go stiff. But you can rely on me dancing in the dark. huahaha..
There were a few choices to choose from to watch a traditional Turkish dance show. Some included a cruises, some dinner but we chose going to watch the Hadja Pasha Cultural Dance Show.
Location : Serkeci
Price : 50 TL per person (refreshments included)
Duration : 1 and a half hour
and I look like a vampire here =F
It was more than belly dancing. They performed wedding dances, cultural dances from parts of Turkey, warrior dances and also a Shepard dance.
Photos and video recordings were not allowed to be done during performences. Please take note of that. But I still see people holding their video cams recording. I found a video on Youtube actually. Just search Hadja Pasha.
With all due respect, I didn't record any of their performances. Those dancers worked hard and the last thing they want is people to steal their dance routine.
Anyway, about the venue. It was actually a Hamam once upon a time. A hamam is a Turkish Bath, more like a traditional spa. A whole building for a spa.
The center stage.
Outside, they have discriptions of the dance and it's history, where it comes from and their purpose.
The stage for the musicians.
I just wished that their performance were longer. =S
Istanbul : Anadolu Kavağı
Arrived the last of the cruise stop.
It's only a small fishing village.
Instead of a car park, they have a sampan park under their house.
Fresh fish. Juicy red gills for proof.
Well, NOT only.
So what do we have here? The ruins of the Yoros Castle. Climb up and you'll have an amazing view of the opening of the Black Sea.
Big mysterious Black Sea. It was very pretty from up there.
Even the locals had their chance on business. They sell jewellery, clothes, souvenirs etc.
This is from one of the houses on the way up to the castle.
Up high, they have cafes and restaurants with breathtaking views.
What took my breath was mostly the hike up which was very steep!! Blame my stamina *cry*
Parts of the long long time ago castle.
Talking about castles and ruins, I feel like Tamara Goodwin.
After all those energy draining walk. Take a seat and have something to munch.
Very keen on having customers. *waving flag*
One thing for sure is to not leave this place without having some fried fresh seafood.
I almost fainted when I tried these.
The guy asked, "Have you ever tried fried oysters?"
My answer was No.
When I had one in my mouth, I was squealing so happy that something tasted of home. It was the long lost relative of my home oyster omelet.
And here we have fresh anchovies aka ikan pusu or ikan bilis as west Malaysians call it.
It's only a small fishing village.
Well, NOT only.
So what do we have here? The ruins of the Yoros Castle. Climb up and you'll have an amazing view of the opening of the Black Sea.
This is from one of the houses on the way up to the castle.
What took my breath was mostly the hike up which was very steep!! Blame my stamina *cry*
Talking about castles and ruins, I feel like Tamara Goodwin.
After all those energy draining walk. Take a seat and have something to munch.
One thing for sure is to not leave this place without having some fried fresh seafood.
The guy asked, "Have you ever tried fried oysters?"
My answer was No.
When I had one in my mouth, I was squealing so happy that something tasted of home. It was the long lost relative of my home oyster omelet.
And here we have fresh anchovies aka ikan pusu or ikan bilis as west Malaysians call it.
Istanbul : The Bosphorus Cruise
Now you can see why I'm very excited to tell you stories of this place. There's just so much to see and do.
Another thing to be gladly doing is to go on a cruise along the Bosporus.
Take a tram down to Eminönou and you'll find yourself in line with many other tourists thinking of which cruise to take. There are a few to choose from. Prices differ. I took Ms Pames advice on not taking the smaller cruise because it wobbles much and you'll feel much seasick later on. Smaller cruises are 10 TL. They'll scream and shout waiting for customers.
Instead, we took a bigger cruise. One which we paid 25 TL for two ways per person.
There are 3 optional departing times which are : 1035 hrs , 1200 hrs and 1335 hrs. Their time differs according to seasons.
The journey is for 1 and a half hour and will take you down to the last stop which is Anadolu Kavagi.
Line up early to get the best spots to sit. It's so much better to sit outside under the sun and still shiver in the cold crisp wind.
Next thing you will need is much camera batteries cos you'll be snapping wallpaper scenery which are so pretty!!
Have a private property by the sea...
...which also includes a fort to keep away bad people from stealing your beach chairs
also have a private bridge connecting the continents
make a community of little cute villas where ladies dress up like Stamford Housewives
a sixteen birthday present for your future children that will make their friends green with envy.
So much for dreaming. =D
Another option to do the Bosphorus Tour is on a Night cruise where they have entertainment or on a private boat tour where there are many packages available.
Another thing to be gladly doing is to go on a cruise along the Bosporus.
Take a tram down to Eminönou and you'll find yourself in line with many other tourists thinking of which cruise to take. There are a few to choose from. Prices differ. I took Ms Pames advice on not taking the smaller cruise because it wobbles much and you'll feel much seasick later on. Smaller cruises are 10 TL. They'll scream and shout waiting for customers.
Instead, we took a bigger cruise. One which we paid 25 TL for two ways per person.
There are 3 optional departing times which are : 1035 hrs , 1200 hrs and 1335 hrs. Their time differs according to seasons.
The journey is for 1 and a half hour and will take you down to the last stop which is Anadolu Kavagi.
Line up early to get the best spots to sit. It's so much better to sit outside under the sun and still shiver in the cold crisp wind.
Next thing you will need is much camera batteries cos you'll be snapping wallpaper scenery which are so pretty!!
Galata Tower with a bit from a Spanish Cruise ship.
Istanbul city.
More sky scrapers in the center and I'll go
Gossip Girl here, you're one and only source into the scandalous life of Manhattans Elite.
Dolmabahce Palace : the grandest imperial Ottoman residence
Far from being royalty, maybe we can dream a bit.
...which also includes a fort to keep away bad people from stealing your beach chairs
also have a private bridge connecting the continents
make a community of little cute villas where ladies dress up like Stamford Housewives
So much for dreaming. =D
Another option to do the Bosphorus Tour is on a Night cruise where they have entertainment or on a private boat tour where there are many packages available.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Istanbul : The.Spice.Market
As I entered this Market, the first thing in mind was I'm very sure this was how Malacca looked like during it's glory days.
Spices of every possible existence, teas, delights, dried fruits, you name it.
I walked around almost going blind.
You get to taste, smell and recognize spices and they are soo willing to hand you some. Even if you're not going to purchase any. They'll even offer you delights of every kind.
What I got myself from here was rose oil, which smells magical. Just pure extracted rose oil which can swoon people around you. How would I know? The guy was putting too much rose oil on me that when I went into another tea shop behind the bazaar, the old man looked so happy and talking in Turkish and bringing a whole bag of rose tea. bukan mok bagi free pun.
The smell is just enchanting. Remind me of perfume, the story of a murderer.
The second time I came back, I bought spices for kebab and barbecue, and also tea. Stress tea and rose tea.
owhh kantoi stress tea. Please help my pressured life.
What I love the most about the Spice Bazaar is what is behind it. Streets are filled with supplier shops selling party items from wedding to baby showers, disco balls, bakery needs, beads, jades, pearls, jewelery etc. owhh my, it got me even crazy. I went in and out of almost every shop.
For those of the creative minds, it's your pick and choose. My sister would have a heart attack here.
Spices of every possible existence, teas, delights, dried fruits, you name it.
I walked around almost going blind.
You get to taste, smell and recognize spices and they are soo willing to hand you some. Even if you're not going to purchase any. They'll even offer you delights of every kind.
What I got myself from here was rose oil, which smells magical. Just pure extracted rose oil which can swoon people around you. How would I know? The guy was putting too much rose oil on me that when I went into another tea shop behind the bazaar, the old man looked so happy and talking in Turkish and bringing a whole bag of rose tea. bukan mok bagi free pun.
The smell is just enchanting. Remind me of perfume, the story of a murderer.
The second time I came back, I bought spices for kebab and barbecue, and also tea. Stress tea and rose tea.
owhh kantoi stress tea. Please help my pressured life.
What I love the most about the Spice Bazaar is what is behind it. Streets are filled with supplier shops selling party items from wedding to baby showers, disco balls, bakery needs, beads, jades, pearls, jewelery etc. owhh my, it got me even crazy. I went in and out of almost every shop.
For those of the creative minds, it's your pick and choose. My sister would have a heart attack here.
Fasteners for bracelets, necklaces, wires for earrings, you name it.
Have your pick of pendants and stones of every kind.
Beads are sold in meters and are just horrible to people like me.
Prices starts from 5TL which is like RM10 for half a meter of beads.
I'm going crazy. I feel like leaving engineering and engineer accessories for the rest of my life now.
Shops for weddings and hantarans.
Nikah is stated in the front.
Scarfs, shawls you name it.
The silvers are anklets. I cheated on my Bidayuh costume and got myself a Turkish coin anklet.
As crazy as I got, I went into the baking needs shop and bought 1000 praline cups (those tiny cups they put almond Londons in). They sell them dead expensive here ok. like 2€ for 20 or something like that.
In my head I was about to grab a cupcake stand, food coloring, ready made fondants in every color possible, baking trays of all kinds, tarts trays, pie trays.
Lord have mercy. I forced myself to leave =(
And that's why every person with creativity and a business centered mind should indulge themselves here.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Istanbul : The.Famous.Grand.Bazaar
Everyone talks about Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
An experience not to be missed. Being here makes me feel like I was teleported into Aladdin's Bazaar.
And you'll find everything that will make a girl jump for joy.
The downside is :
Tacky tag lines to attract customers. I've heard
Hi miss, do you know that today is my birthday?
Selamat Datang Apa Khabar?
Lampu cantik-cantik murah-murah
Excuse me you dropped something
and lots lots more.
In short, this place is more of a Petaling Street. It's just that they don't send gangsters to chase after you like in Petaling Street.
They have fake LV handbags that costs 3000TL which you know not of it's design. Everytime I see fake high end products, makes me think of little children under forced labor and amputated legs so that they can't run away. It's a true story.
They do not put prices on their items and will price them really high and you have to bargain to get to your desired price. If it's too expensive, just leave it. It's their loss. You'll find a much cheaper one in town.
Scarfs and shawls are cheap here though. Pashminas, silk and cashmeres all start from 5TL each and varies according to quality and design.
To me, it's just an experience I could not let go of. I'd rather shop behind the Spice Bazaar in supplier shops which are dead cheap. That I would recommend.
Istanbul has a 540-year-old covered shopping mall of 64 streets, 4000 shops, 22 entrances and 25,000 workers, -the famous Grand Bazaar.
An experience not to be missed. Being here makes me feel like I was teleported into Aladdin's Bazaar.
And you'll find everything that will make a girl jump for joy.
The downside is :
Tacky tag lines to attract customers. I've heard
Hi miss, do you know that today is my birthday?
Selamat Datang Apa Khabar?
Lampu cantik-cantik murah-murah
Excuse me you dropped something
and lots lots more.
In short, this place is more of a Petaling Street. It's just that they don't send gangsters to chase after you like in Petaling Street.
They have fake LV handbags that costs 3000TL which you know not of it's design. Everytime I see fake high end products, makes me think of little children under forced labor and amputated legs so that they can't run away. It's a true story.
They do not put prices on their items and will price them really high and you have to bargain to get to your desired price. If it's too expensive, just leave it. It's their loss. You'll find a much cheaper one in town.
Scarfs and shawls are cheap here though. Pashminas, silk and cashmeres all start from 5TL each and varies according to quality and design.
To me, it's just an experience I could not let go of. I'd rather shop behind the Spice Bazaar in supplier shops which are dead cheap. That I would recommend.
Türkiye : Food.Hospitality Part II
You know I cant stop talking about food. It's naturally my passion. Here's more on Turkish cuisine.
Taverns
At home we call them mamaks, kopitiams, at the Medditerrenean, they call them taverns. As you walk down Sultan Ahmed Street, they'll be a line of promoters flashing their smile and compliments inviting you in for a meal. One I would truely recommend is Favos Restaurant. Friendly people, good amazing food and yes, a screen to watch football. T.T
And my favorite dish on the menu would be lamb chops (in Germany, lamb is rare to find *grrrr*). I also had their Sultans Harem which is lamb cooked with pomegranate and walnuts. A little too sour for me.
Rice Pudding
I've always thought that only Asians had rice pudding. Turkish ones taste more like pudding more than rice. Sweet, cold and creamy. They even have them in different flavours.
Fresh Seafood
Is that a lobster? Yes it is. Cooked Turkish style. Try the line of Seafood Restaurants under the bridge at Eminonu and you'll have one of the greatest dish. They carry a whole tray of fresh catch for you which includes king prawns, lobsters, sea basses and other catches of the day. Prices are by kg. They'll be glad to negotiate prices. 100g of the lobster was 25TL. We got it for 15TL per 100g. How happy can you get? They even carry you a tray of appetizers for you to choose from.
Place : Yaka Balik Restaurant.
Grilled Fish
Along the harbour, this place turns into a night market in the evenings. They have satays, grilled fish alongside their counterparts selling shawls, handbags and clothes.
Their grilled fish is served between bread which is more like a grilled fish burger. You can sit on stools with a small table overlooking the waters. Makes me feel like I'm having supper at batu tiga.
Maap abang ikan bakar. Kami orang tidak mau makan roti. Dalam itu ikan saja kami makan.
Kebabs
The one thing that makes Turkey famous around the world. Their Kebabs. Have them in beef, chicken or lamb. In pitas, rolls or bread. Kebabs are damn cheap here. The cheapest could go till 2TL. The cheapest Kebab in Germany is 4€. In Greece I had Kebab which was 1.80€.
I would still prefer having kebabs in Germany though. In Istanbul, they're very dry. Quite a disappointment.
Taverns
At home we call them mamaks, kopitiams, at the Medditerrenean, they call them taverns. As you walk down Sultan Ahmed Street, they'll be a line of promoters flashing their smile and compliments inviting you in for a meal. One I would truely recommend is Favos Restaurant. Friendly people, good amazing food and yes, a screen to watch football. T.T
And my favorite dish on the menu would be lamb chops (in Germany, lamb is rare to find *grrrr*). I also had their Sultans Harem which is lamb cooked with pomegranate and walnuts. A little too sour for me.
Rice Pudding
I've always thought that only Asians had rice pudding. Turkish ones taste more like pudding more than rice. Sweet, cold and creamy. They even have them in different flavours.
Fresh Seafood
Is that a lobster? Yes it is. Cooked Turkish style. Try the line of Seafood Restaurants under the bridge at Eminonu and you'll have one of the greatest dish. They carry a whole tray of fresh catch for you which includes king prawns, lobsters, sea basses and other catches of the day. Prices are by kg. They'll be glad to negotiate prices. 100g of the lobster was 25TL. We got it for 15TL per 100g. How happy can you get? They even carry you a tray of appetizers for you to choose from.
Place : Yaka Balik Restaurant.
Grilled Fish
Along the harbour, this place turns into a night market in the evenings. They have satays, grilled fish alongside their counterparts selling shawls, handbags and clothes.
Their grilled fish is served between bread which is more like a grilled fish burger. You can sit on stools with a small table overlooking the waters. Makes me feel like I'm having supper at batu tiga.
Kebabs
The one thing that makes Turkey famous around the world. Their Kebabs. Have them in beef, chicken or lamb. In pitas, rolls or bread. Kebabs are damn cheap here. The cheapest could go till 2TL. The cheapest Kebab in Germany is 4€. In Greece I had Kebab which was 1.80€.
I would still prefer having kebabs in Germany though. In Istanbul, they're very dry. Quite a disappointment.
Türkiye : Food.Hospitality
Maybe it's the hot weather.
But the Turks really do know their way with food.
Here are some MUST HAVES in Turkey.
Turkish Tea
Cay (pronounced chai) means tea. It's much of a social thing than only a tulip glass of tea. You'll see people having them everywhere. In markets, streets, even men in business suits sit around having them with associates talking business.
Turkish Ice cream
Once upon a time when my cousin was crazy over Turkish ice cream, she would go all the way to Mid Valley to have some. The reason is, Turkish ice cream is so different from other milky cold delights. It's rich and sticky and yummy and very traditionally Turkish.
Turkish Delight
As sweet as their smiles, this will make you put a smile on your face. Even their colors are hard to resists!
Generally nougat, come are like jelly and gummy bears.
Have your choice of Pomegranate (which is everyone's favorite), rose water or orange and chocolate and banana and every other flavor you could think of it's always a must to try in Turkey. Even if you don't want to buy some, you can just taste some (of a lot that is) and you'll end up buying.
Baklava
Having much of these will send you high up in the sky flying like a pegasus. Baklavas are pastries soaked in syrup and of course they're sweet.
Pastries and biscuits
I do not know what they are called but it some kind of biscuit and they have a wide array of it. Gluttony hit me and I went i want one of each. And I finished up most of it. Obviously they can't be resist. It's so tempting to have another one. They have walnuts, almonds, pistachios, jam and generally everything. Feels like going Hari Raya visiting.
But the Turks really do know their way with food.
Here are some MUST HAVES in Turkey.
Turkish Tea
Cay (pronounced chai) means tea. It's much of a social thing than only a tulip glass of tea. You'll see people having them everywhere. In markets, streets, even men in business suits sit around having them with associates talking business.
Simit
They call it a Turkish Bagel. Sold everywhere possible and it goodly cheap. Call for a typical Turkish tea hour? Have some Simit with Cay. There even is a Simit festival. No i'm not kidding. Cos I was there when it happened.
Once upon a time when my cousin was crazy over Turkish ice cream, she would go all the way to Mid Valley to have some. The reason is, Turkish ice cream is so different from other milky cold delights. It's rich and sticky and yummy and very traditionally Turkish.
Green and yellow : Pistachio and Lemon
The ice cream boys even have tricks done with their rods. Quite delightful to watch. Turkish Delight
As sweet as their smiles, this will make you put a smile on your face. Even their colors are hard to resists!
Generally nougat, come are like jelly and gummy bears.
Have your choice of Pomegranate (which is everyone's favorite), rose water or orange and chocolate and banana and every other flavor you could think of it's always a must to try in Turkey. Even if you don't want to buy some, you can just taste some (of a lot that is) and you'll end up buying.
Baklava
Having much of these will send you high up in the sky flying like a pegasus. Baklavas are pastries soaked in syrup and of course they're sweet.
Pastries and biscuits
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