Turkey Here We come 2014 - Day 1

We drove from home to KLIA instead of using a taxi service and Jo's Freed is big enough to take 5 of us including the luggage. The car was parked at Block A of KLIA car park building with an anticipation of less than RM300 charges. By the way, the taxi fare is RM220 per trip(van) hence it would cost RM440.00.
It has been a long time since the whole family travelled together for a holiday, it was after several attempts we managed to get the boys to go together and it was a 9 days trip to Turkey. We have to endure a direct flight of more than 10 hours. Thank to MAS for a safe journey.

Here we go to Turkey to explore the land that connects Asia and Europe with a setting of early civilization.

All of us were excited upon arriving at Ataturk International Airport at Istanbul.

Turkey is a secular state with no official state religion and 99.8% of the population are Muslim.

A 27years old by the name of Kaan was our tour local guide for the next 9 days with a group of 24 Malaysians. It was going to be a long journey for the next 9 days covering a distance of more than 3,000km.

Our first visit was Topkapi Palace Museum at Hippodrome Square or rather Hippodrome of Constantinople now known as Sultan Ahmet Square.

It was the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for approximately 400 years (1465–1856).

It is now a museum and as such a major tourist attraction. It also contains important holy relics of the Muslim world, including Muhammed's cloak and sword

Topkapı Palace was the main residence of the sultan and his court. It was initially the seat of government as well as the imperial residence. Even though access was strictly regulated, inhabitants of the palace rarely had to venture out since the palace functioned almost as an autonomous entity, a city within a city. Audience and consultation chambers and areas served for the political workings of the empire. For the residents and visitors, the palace had its own water supply through underground cisterns and the great kitchens provided for nourishment on a daily basis. Dormitories, gardens, libraries, schools, even mosques, were at the service of the court. Attached to the palace were diverse imperial societies of artists and craftsmen collectively called the Ehl-i Hiref (Community of the Talented), which produced some of the finest work in the whole empire.

Out in the street of Istanbul at the Hippodrome where we took a walk to a 3D studio.

Where we we shown a clip "Dream of Turkey" - a sky ride visiting places of interest in Turkey.

Lunch at Buhara 93 Restaurant.

Back to Sultan Ahmet Square for our next visit to the Blue Mosque after the afternoon prayer time.

SultanAhmed Mosque is a historic mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.

It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Its Külliye contains a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is still popularly used as a mosque.

Best way to see great architecture of the Blue Mosque is to approach it from the Hippodrome. (West side of the mosque) As if you are non-Muslim visitor, you also have to use same direction to enter the Mosque.

One for the family album at the Blue Mosque.

The long journey began immediately after the visit at the Blue  Mosque and it was the final lap to Canakkale. Canakkale is located at the Asia continent that requires a 20minutes ferry ride from Kilitbahir.

We missed our 8pm ferry to cross the strait, the delay was due the the rain that slowed the driving. Our driver Sekan was good at his work, we wish to thank him for his excellent driving and patience throughout the journey.

Canakale is just across the strait and that was where we stayed for the first night in Turkey at Parion Hotel. A relatively a new hotel claimed to be 5 stars locally but I don't think so in an international standard. Anyway we just want to have a good rest for the night and use the wifi.

Till then we see you for Day 2 of this trip.