TRAVELLIVE 04-2016
Istanbul, the first days of spring…
I’m warming myself in the sun on a café’s balcony in the Old Town. The sunbeams are as stunning as the fine strands of newly reeled silk. Meanwhile the old oak trees give their morning greeting to the glossy stone road as their red-brown leaves gently fall. The Old Town is still half-asleep, like a lazy girl who’s turned off her alarm after ringing the first time. Sunlight visits each street, dancing happily on passers-by’s shoulders, making the atmosphere more intimate to me – the traveler’s first time here.
I feel more amorous in Istanbul. I’m enchanted by everything, from sweet lokum to the light sour ice-cream with ground ice on top, or from the gorgeous domes of hundreds of mosques and palaces to their uniquely designed windows, and from the discreet eyes of Muslim girls to the multitude of boards and posters with the images of Besiktas – the city’s legendary football team.
I have fallen in love with Bosphorus Bay since the first time seeing the seagulls hovering in the open sky, creating invisible strings that connect the two continents – Asia and Europe. The clear blue sky is reflected on the deep blue sea, giving me tranquility. I drop my last Lira into the water of the Bosphorus, not to make a wish, but in hopes that they will preserve my memories here. And somehow, the water currents might bring them somewhere else to be found by me again, or might accidentally be stumbled upon by a boy who is playing with sand on a sunny beach.
Tomorrow, I will go to Grand Bazzar, buy some postcards, and write something to leave beneath the sun near a mosque before sending them to some friends of mine. I do hope that these postcards, together with the coins, will inspire and attract more visitors to this land. Uhm… will you come there?
Istanbul, the first days of spring…
I’m warming myself in the sun on a café’s balcony in the Old Town. The sunbeams are as stunning as the fine strands of newly reeled silk. Meanwhile the old oak trees give their morning greeting to the glossy stone road as their red-brown leaves gently fall. The Old Town is still half-asleep, like a lazy girl who’s turned off her alarm after ringing the first time. Sunlight visits each street, dancing happily on passers-by’s shoulders, making the atmosphere more intimate to me – the traveler’s first time here.
I feel more amorous in Istanbul. I’m enchanted by everything, from sweet lokum to the light sour ice-cream with ground ice on top, or from the gorgeous domes of hundreds of mosques and palaces to their uniquely designed windows, and from the discreet eyes of Muslim girls to the multitude of boards and posters with the images of Besiktas – the city’s legendary football team.
I have fallen in love with Bosphorus Bay since the first time seeing the seagulls hovering in the open sky, creating invisible strings that connect the two continents – Asia and Europe. The clear blue sky is reflected on the deep blue sea, giving me tranquility. I drop my last Lira into the water of the Bosphorus, not to make a wish, but in hopes that they will preserve my memories here. And somehow, the water currents might bring them somewhere else to be found by me again, or might accidentally be stumbled upon by a boy who is playing with sand on a sunny beach.
Tomorrow, I will go to Grand Bazzar, buy some postcards, and write something to leave beneath the sun near a mosque before sending them to some friends of mine. I do hope that these postcards, together with the coins, will inspire and attract more visitors to this land. Uhm… will you come there?
the past doesn’t sleep... you can hear Its whIsper throuGh the wInds blowInG froM the straIt to ancIent buIldInGs, froM the larGe sQuares past the doMes and stone walls of MosQues. Go upstairs to the second floor for a wider look at the mosque. From that position, you can also see two beautiful rows of columns, the giant central dome with sophisticated mosaic motifs, and ceiling frescoes depicting holy scenes. These frescoes and other features of Christianity were removed or obscured when the Ottoman Empire converted the church into a mosque. It remained a mosque until 1931 until it was re-opened in 1935 as a museum by the Republic of Turkey. Hagia Sophia is now home to many valuable art works. I couldn’t help but feel reflective while standing beneath the marble columns and thinking of the empires, conflicts, and battles of the past. KeBAB, COFFee, wANdeRINg ANd SHOPPINg There are hundreds of interesting things in Istanbul that I wish to experience. I spent my little time strolling down some streets and wandering along subtly sloped lanes, guessing into and searching for their architectural riddles. When the burden of my camera became too heavy to bear and my feet were unable to walk anymore, I stopped at a beautiful cafä at the corner of a lane. Charming boys and girls were relaxing to enjoy their ice-cream and pastries. I occasionally entered in a shop, gazed at some unique souvenirs to add to my “travel collection”. There is an array of things to buy yet I had already spent most of my money on old postcards, old stamps, and landscape paintings of Istanbul’s past. You might be wondering what the most vexing part of my journey to Istanbul was. That would be the kebabs - the famed Turkish wrap. It took me lots of time to decide which type of kebab to order as there are dozens of kebabs served at a traditional restaurant. And upon choosing, I regretted not choosing others. Choosing is always difficult when we are surrounded by so many attractive options!
Yildiz Palace Chalet Bosphorus Bridge ,Galata Tower Eyup Square Blue Mosque Spice Bazaar New Mosque Suleymaniye Topkapi Palace Maiden’s Tower Atatuk Airport Grand Bazaar Hippodrome Square Hagia Sofia TOURIST MAP OF ISTANBUL Travellive GUiDe ITINerAry: ü Turkish Airlines provides daily flights departing from HCMC at 8pm, transiting in Bangkok and arriving Istanbul at 6:00am the next day. From June 27 th , Turkish Airlines will officially launch direct flights from Hanoi/HCMC to Istanbul: ü Hanoi - Istanbul: 2 flights/week on Monday and Wednesday. Depart: 4:50pm - Arrive: 5:20 am the next day. ü HCMC - Istanbul: 1 fight/day. Depart: 8:25pm - Arrive: 5:20am the next day. ü You can book online tickets on www.turkishairlines.com or buy a ticket at any Turkish Airlines agency. ü Visa: You can apply for a visa online (eVisa) if you have valid visa to OECD’s countries (fee: USD50). Otherwise, you must apply for a visa 1 month in advance on www.evisa.gov.tr (fee: USD60) cUrreNcy: ü 1 Lira ~ 0.35 USD ~ VND 8,000 TrANSPOrTATION: ü Railway is easiest and cheapest way for transportation. Taxi is also common transportation around city of center. But note that, trams and train are so crowded in rush hours. recOMMeNed HOTeLS: ü Levni Boutique Hotel (Ankara Caddesi No: 12 Sirkeci - Istanbul, +90 212 519 10 19) ü Ottoman Imperial Boutique Hotel (Caferiye Sokak No 6/1 34122 Sultanahmet Istanbul, +90 212 513 61 50) ü Sura Hagia Sophia Boutique Hotel (Divanyolu Cad. Alemdar Mah. Ticarethane Sk. No:10 34122 Istanbul, +90 212 522 7400) ü Wyndham Istanbul Old City 5 star (Balabanaga Mahallesi, Fethibe, 34134 Laleli-Fatih, Istanbul, 34134 , +90 21 25149000) recOMMeNded reSTAUrANTS: ü Surplus Restaurant (Fatih, Ragip GümüŞpala Caddesi, 54, Istanbul, Turkey 34200) ü Matbah Restorant (Caferiye Sokak No 6/1 34122 Sultanahmet, Istanbul) ü Deraliye Restaurant (Adress: Divanyolu Cad, Alemdar Mah, Ticarethane Sk, No:10 Sultanahmet / Istanbul) ü Sur Arnavutköy (Bebek Arnavutköy Cad. No: 52 Bebek / Istanbul) TOUr ü One popular Turkish tour presented by Dorak Tour Turkey is the 8 days 7 nights programs which is currently organised for tourists travelling from Vietnam. Tourists will be taken for sightseeing the famous Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, and more. The 8-day trip shall encompass cities Istanbul - Canakkale - Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Konya - Kapadokia - Ankara - Istanbul. TRAVELLIVE 71
- Page 20 and 21: NHA TRANG HOTELS & RESORTS TP.HCM M
- Page 22 and 23: NHA TRANG MEMORABLE SUMMER HOLIDAY
- Page 24 and 25: HÑ LONG HOTELS & RESORTS HÄ NóI
- Page 26 and 27: HOTELS & RESORTS HCMC LIBERATION DA
- Page 28 and 29: REAL ESTATE & GOLF VèNH PH@C KHôI
- Page 30 and 31: REAL ESTATE & GOLF VUNG TAU STAY AT
- Page 32 and 33: TOURS TP.HCM CHINH PH|C GRAND CANYO
- Page 34 and 35: TOURS HANOI MEKONG DELTA RIVER (Dur
- Page 36 and 37: BEAUTY & Healthcare HÄ NóI SPA XA
- Page 38 and 39: ELITE FITNESS HÄ NóI 51 Xu©n Di
- Page 40 and 41: OTHER SERVICES HÄ NóI/TP.HCM QUÅ
- Page 42 and 43: HANOI/HCMC TURKISH AIRLINES LAUNCHE
- Page 44 and 45: TP.HCM 17/4 TOUR DIŸN CûA "TH¡N
- Page 46 and 47: 46 TRAVELLIVE
- Page 48 and 49: fashion Model: Thuy Huong Photograp
- Page 50 and 51: Orhan Pamuk, nhµ v®n ThÊ Nh‹ K
- Page 53 and 54: fashion Model: Thuy Huong Photograp
- Page 55: Lπc b≠Ìc Æ’n Istanbul, Æ´i
- Page 58 and 59: T´i tÌi Istanbul vµo mÈt s∏ng
- Page 60 and 61: ThÀt kh„ Æ” di‘n t∂ lπi
- Page 62 and 63: the city on 7 hills We arrived at I
- Page 64 and 65: “KH§NG THÕ RòI ßI N⁄U CHA
- Page 67 and 68: QUÉ KH` KH§NG NGû Y£N... Cï TH
- Page 69: TRAVELLIVE 69
- Page 73 and 74: MS LAN H•NG NGUYŸN FOUNDER OF ZE
- Page 75 and 76: Istanbul is located on the Silk Roa
- Page 77 and 78: TRAVELLIVE 77
- Page 79 and 80: Lµ vÔng Ɔt nªm trn cao nguyn
- Page 81 and 82: strong winds in summer, heavy snow
- Page 83 and 84: MR TR¡N QUANG ßÑI MODEL / FOUNDE
- Page 85 and 86: We are so lucky to visit Turkey in
- Page 87 and 88: TRAVELLIVE 87
- Page 89: SUNRISE FROM A HOT AIR BALLOON To c
- Page 92 and 93: MóT ߣM ô KHÉCH SÑN HANG ßó
- Page 94 and 95: Mr. Ahmet Akpinar, Turkish Airlines
- Page 96 and 97: DU LëCH VíNG QUANH TH⁄ GIõI V
- Page 98 and 99: HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD WITH
- Page 100 and 101: Enjoy The Free City Tour Around Ist
- Page 102 and 103: 102 TRAVELLIVE
- Page 104 and 105: Khi bπn thÀt s˘ yu th≠¨ng khu
- Page 106 and 107: food&wine 5 MïN chè"C`U TINH" CHO
- Page 108 and 109: food&wine If anyone asks me about m
- Page 110 and 111: destination Bµi vµ ∂nh: Rähahn
- Page 112 and 113: BORAK - KEM NGHå ßëA PH•NG ß
- Page 114 and 115: Just a few days ago, I went off in
- Page 116 and 117: Bajaus are real mermen, the people
- Page 118 and 119: White skin equals beauty in Malaysi
Yildiz Palace Chalet<br />
Bosphorus Bridge<br />
,Galata Tower<br />
Eyup Square<br />
Blue Mosque<br />
Spice Bazaar<br />
New Mosque<br />
Suleymaniye<br />
Topkapi Palace<br />
Maiden’s Tower<br />
Atatuk Airport<br />
Grand<br />
Bazaar<br />
Hippodrome<br />
Square<br />
Hagia Sofia<br />
TOURIST MAP OF ISTANBUL<br />
Travellive GUiDe<br />
ITINerAry:<br />
ü Turkish Airlines provides<br />
daily flights departing from<br />
HCMC at 8pm, transiting in<br />
Bangkok and arriving Istanbul<br />
at 6:00am the next day. From<br />
June 27 th , Turkish Airlines will<br />
officially launch direct flights<br />
from Hanoi/HCMC to Istanbul:<br />
ü Hanoi - Istanbul: 2<br />
flights/week on Monday and<br />
Wednesday. Depart: 4:50pm<br />
- Arrive: 5:20 am the next day.<br />
ü HCMC - Istanbul: 1 fight/day.<br />
Depart: 8:25pm - Arrive:<br />
5:20am the next day.<br />
ü You can book online tickets<br />
on www.turkishairlines.com<br />
or buy a ticket at any Turkish<br />
Airlines agency.<br />
ü Visa: You can apply for a<br />
visa online (eVisa) if you have<br />
valid visa to OECD’s countries<br />
(fee: USD50). Otherwise, you<br />
must apply for a visa 1 month<br />
in advance on www.evisa.gov.tr<br />
(fee: USD60)<br />
cUrreNcy:<br />
ü 1 Lira ~ 0.35 USD ~ VND<br />
8,000<br />
TrANSPOrTATION:<br />
ü Railway is easiest and<br />
cheapest way for transportation.<br />
Taxi is also common<br />
transportation around city of<br />
center. But note that, trams and<br />
train are so crowded in rush<br />
hours.<br />
recOMMeNed HOTeLS:<br />
ü Levni Boutique Hotel<br />
(Ankara Caddesi No: 12 Sirkeci<br />
- Istanbul, +90 212 519 10 19)<br />
ü<br />
Ottoman Imperial Boutique<br />
Hotel (Caferiye Sokak No 6/1<br />
34122 Sultanahmet Istanbul,<br />
+90 212 513 61 50)<br />
ü Sura Hagia Sophia Boutique<br />
Hotel (Divanyolu Cad. Alemdar<br />
Mah. Ticarethane Sk. No:10<br />
34122 Istanbul, +90 212 522<br />
7400)<br />
ü Wyndham Istanbul Old City<br />
5 star (Balabanaga Mahallesi,<br />
Fethibe, 34134 Laleli-Fatih,<br />
Istanbul, 34134 , +90 21<br />
25149000)<br />
recOMMeNded<br />
reSTAUrANTS:<br />
ü Surplus Restaurant (Fatih,<br />
Ragip GümüŞpala Caddesi, 54,<br />
Istanbul, Turkey 34200)<br />
ü Matbah Restorant (Caferiye<br />
Sokak No 6/1 34122<br />
Sultanahmet, Istanbul)<br />
ü Deraliye Restaurant (Adress:<br />
Divanyolu Cad, Alemdar<br />
Mah, Ticarethane Sk, No:10<br />
Sultanahmet / Istanbul)<br />
ü Sur Arnavutköy (Bebek<br />
Arnavutköy Cad. No: 52 Bebek<br />
/ Istanbul)<br />
TOUr<br />
ü One popular Turkish tour<br />
presented by Dorak Tour<br />
Turkey is the 8 days 7 nights<br />
programs which is currently<br />
organised for tourists travelling<br />
from Vietnam. Tourists will<br />
be taken for sightseeing the<br />
famous Hagia Sofia, Topkapi<br />
Palace, and more. The 8-day<br />
trip shall encompass cities<br />
Istanbul - Canakkale - Kusadasi -<br />
Pamukkale - Konya - Kapadokia<br />
- Ankara - Istanbul.<br />
<strong>TRAVELLIVE</strong><br />
71
Change language