Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
May 24th
Wasn't woken by the early morning pray calls as I thought I would be. There are hundreds of minarets around the city which call out up to five times a day I think. When out yesterday I heard the lunch time and late evening calls but when in the hotel I can't hear them.
Breakfast served from the top floor of the hotel which overlook the entrance of the golden horn and the galata bridge and tower.
Was picked up from the hotel for the day trip tour to Bursa.
Travelled by bus from the Europe side of Istanbul to the Asian side. Crossed over the bosphorus river and witness the traffic jam.
3 million residences travel between the Asia and Europe sides of the city everyday for work. This creates large traffic jam on the bridges over the river.
Our guide for the day has said the return back to our hotels in Istanbul is variable due to the traffic in the evening. Arrived on the outskirts of Istanbul at the port of Jandarma about 90 minutes later. Caught the ferry across the bay to a small port just outside of Yalova. We passed large apartment buildings that are used by people of turkey for there summer holidays. Turkish people don't often travel overseas they prefer to go on holidays in towns around the sea of marma. Stopped to visit a Turkish delight factory and producer of sweet chestnuts. The area around Yalova is mountainous and green with chestnut trees.
We passed through the gamlik region which produces olive oil ( Zeytin in turkish) and the mountains around the area were covered with olive groves and trees.
Bursa = founded in 3rd century BC. Bayazatine and roman civilizations were settled here. Was used as the first ottoman capital for around 80 year during the end of the 13th century. It is the 4th larger city in turkey. Is a large producer of cars and silk. Mt Olympus is just outside the city and it towers over the city, the roman built monastery on top of mountain in 3 and 4th century.
Arrived at lunch time headed out to have a Iskender kebap. The town is famous for them. It was a delicious meal with a bread on the bottom and then mixed sliced meats covered in a tomato gravy and yoghurt on the side. Hot butter is poured over the top as it is served. Very nice.
Walked to the green mosque and looked inside at the painted tiles. Next to it is the green mausoleum. This again had the beautiful painted tiles inside and the tombs of the sultan and some members of his family. Traveled to the base of mt Olympus and caught the cable car up to around 1500m ( I think). The weather had turned to rain and low cloud cover so weren't able to see anything really. Got stuck at the top for longer then expecting due to bad weather and were told not to hold to the metal rails inside the cable car. Not sure if the guy was serious about been electrocuted or joking around with us.
When finally back down at the bottom visited the grand mosque. It is one of largest mosques in turkey. Had a quick walk into the covered bazaar next to it.
Then it was time to head back to Istanbul. Wad a long trip back. The bus was caught in heavy traffic trying to board the ferry and trying to cross the bridge back to the Europe side. Was very late and the had to quickly collect my bags and walk around to the new hotel I had booked into. Lucky there was a person at reception so they were able to give me a room.
- comments
Rob I would say since the the weather turned bad with low cloud cover there is a chance the cable car cable gets struck by lightening. I don't think he's joking. :)
Anita Love being able to read about your travels Sarah Istanbul is certainly huge, wouldn't like to commute there to work What an interesting time you are having, lucky you are up on your history Stay safe and well Anita x