By: Zaileen Hashim (Communications Division)

Standing infront of Ortakoy Mosque 

I have the privilege to visit Istanbul when ever I am able to take my annual leave, as I go there to visit my mother who is based in our MAS Turkey office. Every time I visit my mom in Istanbul, not once, I find myself bored of the city.

The minute I set my foot out of the airport, it feels like I just step in into a city that is going to promise me magical things.

Istanbul 

Aya Sofia 

Let’s take the Grand Bazaar for example. The bazaar is like a huge maze and you maybe find yourself lose your directions if you don’t know your way around or not very smart with your bearings. Sorry – sidetracking - My advice is to keep an eye of your paths or remember your tracks by taking a photographs or just writing a note of where you were in the bazaar.

Moving on, in the Grand Bazaar, I discovered the back-way streets where there are these little shops that sell antique jewels and potteries. Then of course, there is the authenticity of the back-streets too, you can see the intricate designs of the building’s structure and architecture.

Ortakoy Mosque

Blue Mosque

Aya Sofia, Turkey 

If you are big on the shopping, the price can be quite reasonable if you know where to find the bargain. They have a big range from clothes that can cost TL10 (RM30) to designer clothes that can cost around TL200. It all depends on each individual budget. The best thing about Turkish fashion is that they have unique designs or styles which you cannot find here in Malaysia.

Cistern

Upside down Medusa Head in Cistern

Another point to ponder is the bus stop. Where can you find in a city where you are waiting for the bus and right in front of you is this beautiful view of the Bosporus Sea? You cannot get this sight in other parts of the world. It has this picturesque sight of the big blue sea immersed with a view of row of houses on the other side of the banks.

Not to imagine – the history that it has inherited from the medieval and Byzantine time, Constantinople and Ottoman. Quite romantic! To be a part of these mysteries of events of what had happened on every pavement that I walked on; it is like going through time travel.

Bridge connecting between the Europe and Asean part of Istanbul 

Don’t believe me – just try visiting Topkapi Palace and go into each of the rooms especially the Harem House – you will have this “going back into time” sensation when you step into each of the room.

Topkapi Palace is so calming and it has this crazy effect of letting your imagination run wild the minute you step in into this majestic big castle.

Princess Island

Istanbul is COLORFUL but in a way that every places you visit, or every people you meet or every corners or the back-streets you step your foot on, there will always be something new for you to uncover.

Only Istanbul can make you stop to breathe in the air and remember all the sceneries so that they are stored in your memory bank. 

When people asked me what is it about Istanbul that I like most, I would say “The mystifying rustic uphill streets where you can see the sunset.” Every time, my mom takes us for a drive in the city and she used the back-alleys which are on the hills to take shortcuts, you can see this huge landscape filled with row of houses stacked adjacent one another and right in between the sun settles down with its yellow and orange rays beaming on all the rooftops. I find myself repeating these words “No other city can beat this, Istanbul is so beautiful” 

Sorry la ya! I can’t help it but to tell you that we are operating direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul. There are great deals on sale now. So check out www.malaysiaairlines.com