I’ve always wanted to visit Istanbul, the opportunity to live here was something I couldn’t pass up. It’s not at all what I expected. It’s is a very sophisticated economy with a good public transportation network of: buses, trams, gondolas, taksi’s and ferries. It took me a couple of tries but I think I’ve got it figured out now.
I decide to visit the PRINCE ISLANDS , I chose the Hush Hostel, in Kadikoy, because they rented bikes. I wanted to ride along the coast to
THE PRINCE ISLANDS AND GO BIKING ON THE CAR-FREE ISLAND OF BUYUKADA
I LEARNED THAT THE ELEPHANT WITH THE BRUSH IS THE PAINT COMPANIES LOGO THAT PAINTED THE BIKE PATH
THIS IS PROBABLY THE SAFEST AND MOST ACCESSIBLE BIKING IN ISTANBUL
So I get to the ferry, buy a ticket and ask an employee if this is “the ferry to the islands”, “Yes” I board and before I know ir, I”m back in Kadikoy, where I started the bike ride. Even a seasoned traveller like myself can make mistakes. So next day I decide to take the ferry from Kadikoy directly to the Prince Islands. I’m at the right dock, on time, board the boat and now I’m going in the opposite direction from the islands. Holy Crap, twice? I ask at the dock where the Prince Island ferry is? Down 2km. I take a bus, the wrong bus, now I’m heading towards Taksim. I grab a taksi back to the other dock, to hopefully board the right ferry. Yes, I’m going to the Prince Islands, but not before we stop in Kadikoy. I have to stop at 3 islands before I reach BUYUKADA, the one most developed for tourist like me. The minute I get off the ferry
I REWARD MY SELF WITH THIS 5 FLAVORED ICE-CREAM FOR FINALLY GETTING HERE
There’s probably 15 bike rental shops in a 2 block area. I do some shopping, then rent a bike. I was told to ride to the church, OK.
I BIKE TO THE TRAIL HEAD (no bikes were allowed any further). THE HIKE IS STRAIGHT UP 300 METERS, BUT THE VIEWS WERE WORTH IT
After hiking I make some small talk with the horse carriage guys. He wants to ride my bike, sure.
YOU RIDE MY BIKE, I WANT A PICTURE ON THE HORSE CARRIAGE, DONE
I’m finally back home, to the hostel. This is one of the more interesting groups of people here, than anywhere else I’ve stayed.
ANDRE’ TAKES THIS PHOTO OF ME CUTTING DRIED FRUIT AND PUTTING NUTS INSIDE
I feel lucky to have this free time to share with other people who are all so interesting.
THIS COUPLE FROM AMERICA LANDED AT THE HOSTEL, WE ALL WENT TOGETHER TO ANDRE’S ART EXHIBIT.
Both Natasa and I agreed the inlaid chairs, table, mirror and Koran holder would look good in “our” home.
SO WE PACKED IT UP FOR THE PLANE RIDE TO SLOVENIA
I “discovered” this great turkish restaurant, called Tonton efendi, a few blocks from the hostel. I was telling Ron (from Australia) about it while sitting around the Hostel. It told me he too found a great little restaurant too. We each described our finds, they sounded familiar. Except the owner had a daughter and he told Ron he didn’t have kids. Ron was Lebanese and the owner was Lebanese, they spoke Lebanese together. The owner told me he was Jordanian. We each described a similar place but our stories didn’t match up? So I go for lunch only to find
RON HAVING LUNCH THERE, MYSTERY SOLVED, SAME RESTAURANT
We had been taking different routes to the same restuarant, so when we described how to get there that didn’t match up either. We questioned Selahattin about the different stories he was telling us? Of course his dry sense of humor wouldn’t divulge the truth.
THE SELECTION CHANGED EVERYDAY, BUT WAS ALWAYS AWESOME
My plan was to live in different parts of Istanbul so it was time to move to Taksim. I left 2 days in my back pocket to spend where I felt there was more to see and do.
A FINAL PICTURE WITH ANDRE’ & KARIM (the future is bright with this kids participating)
WE TAKE THE FERRY TO TAKSIM (my new home) WE MEET LATER AT ANDRE’S EXHIBIT
Thanks for reading I’ve missed writing this, you?
Ride On
JEFF
NEXT?: TAKSIM: HOME OF THE PROTEST AND SHOPPING
