the city on 7 hills
We arrived at Istanbul Ataturk Airport one
early morning. Dorak, our tour guide (from
a big domestic travel agency) was waiting for
us. After exchanging some money, we left the
airport, got on the bus, passed the Turkish
Airline’s headquarters and traveled to the city.
Istanbul is bathed in sunlight; the sky’s hue
is an unbelievably deep blue without a single
cloud. Strolling about the city’s myriad of
alleyways, you will encounter numerous
architectural styles that were popular in
different stages of the city’s history. Istanbul
was built on 7 hills, and each one offers a
different perspective of the skyline with the
domes of mosques and towers emerging
from the labyrinthine streets. The city’s
countenance changes drastically as our bus
goes up and down.
A
The legend - the Bosphorus
fter a 15-hour flight from HCMC,
I was quite amazed at the energy I
felt upon touching down. Perhaps
the reasonable flight time and
Raki (Turkish vodka) served by
Turkish Airline during dinner helped me to
sleep tight. Thus, upon checking-in at my
hotel, I was eager to begin my first sally into
this legendary city.
It’s regrettable if you miss the chance to take
a cruise along the Bosphorus strait. In spite
of considerable traffic, the strait leading to
the Golden Horn is sublime. On one side of
the strait is a bay with a seaside park where
you can see parents playing with their kids
in the grass on windy afternoons. Here, I
came across some people fishing and a father
swimming with his little boys while their dog
barked joyfully on the beach. On the opposite
side is an ancient wall which stretches along
the strait, and we can find the occasional cafä
nestled at its foot. The unique houses perfectly
blend Asian and European colors, and detailed
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TRAVELLIVE
mouldings stand near each other behind the
wall. The towering minarets of mosques are
the most prominent feature of the skyline.
For about 25 liras, you can take a 2 - hour
cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. There you
may float along the line dividing Asia and
Europe. You may traverse this threshold in
a matter of minutes by taking the ferry or
crossing one of the three bridges spanning the
continents.
The Golden Horn m ust be the most bustling
and gorgeous area in Istanbul. It’s where
you see the most obvious cultural exchanges.
Due to its strategic location, the Golden
Horn has been a major harbor as it is the
sole sea route connecting the Black Sea with
the Mediterranean Sea. I got on a boat at
6p.m and departed from the Galata pier. The
sunlight began to fade and was replaced by a
chilly breeze. Luckily, I was served with a cup
of hot apple tea. The effect was transcendental.
I don’t feel like I’ve ever savored such sweet
and fragrant tea before.
It’s hard to express all feelings I had when
traveling along the Bosphorus at sunset.
It had all the makings of a scene from a
romantic Hollywood travel film. The boat
quickly skimmed over the blue sea when the
sun began to set, throwing its last glorious
rays of light upon the antique mansions and
magnificent castles along the bay. Flocks of
gulls were hovering above the fortress on the
European side, shrieking and beating their
wings as though fighting to keep the red sun
from sinking into the sea. To end the day,
I enjoyed dinner at Sur Balik, a restaurant
on the hillside. The terrace commands a
panoramic view of the Bosphorus which is
worth your money. If you want some food at
a reasonable price, then visit the F&B area
under the Galata Bridge. This is also a popular
place with visitors and the best place to take
a selfie with the background of sunset on
Golden Horn.
Istanbul
was built
on 7 hills,
and each
one offers
a different
perspective
of the
skyline.