Hajmo u Bebek! / Let’s go to Bebek!

Bio je vreo dan I pomislila sam da bi bilo baš lepo da ga provedem pored mora. Zato sam se zaputila u Bebek. Nije bio ni nalik onome sto su mi pričali. I zaista sam se oduševila.

 

Istina je da je Bebek mesto za starosedeoce sa dubljim džepom. Turiste nisam sretala, ulice su bile poprilično prazne. Bebek je prosto mesto gde možete da pronadjete svoj mir. Ušuškane taverne pored vode, riblji restorani koji podsećaju na Grčku, jahte i čamci koji se lagano ljuljuškaju na vodi i poneki lokalci koji trče pored mora. Kuće koje se bele na brdaščima pored vode su me potpuno oborile sa nogu. A tu je i Starbaks na najlepšim pogledom u celom Istanbulu. Vidite samo plavetnilo, jahte, turističke brodove, koji tu ne pristaju i poneki ribarski čamac. 

 

Bebek je odlično mesto za porodice sa decom, za duge šetnje i večere pored mora. Nažalost, u turističkim ponudama nema izleta u Bebek, niti organizovanih obilazaka, što ga čini poprilično odsečenim od turista, iako se nalazi na pola sata od centra. Ukoliko odlučite da večerate u nekom od restorana pored vode, imaćete priliku da uživate u pogledu na blještavi Bosforski most i Azijski deo Istanbula.

 

Bebek se uveče pretvara u idealno mesto za izlazak, a na samom ulazu u Bebek nalaze se brojni klubovi: Sortie, Reina i mnogi drugi. Zapazićete da Bebekom u večernjim satima prolaze samo najskuplji motori i automobili, uglavnom oni sa leptir vratima- prilično fascinantan vozni park. 

 

Bebek na turskom znači ,,beba“, a očigledno je da ga Turci baš tako i čuvaju, kao bebu. 

 

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It was very hot outside, so i decided that it would be great if I spend my day near the sea. That’s why I decided to go to Bebek. It actually was much better than I thought. I was really amazed by that place. 

 

It's quite true that Bebek is part of the city for higher society. I haven't seen any tourists there and streets were quite empty. Bebek is actually a place where you can find your peace. Plenty of tavernas near the sea, fish restaurants like those in Greece, jachts and small boats floating on the sea and just few local habitants who go running near the sea. The white houses on the hills totally blew my mind. And Starbucks ofc with the best view in the whole Istanbul. When you sit on the teracce you are able to see just blue sea, blue sky and some fishermen's boats and jatchs.  

Bebek is perfect place for families with children, long walks and dinners near the sea. Unfortunately, you cannot find any offers for excursions to Bebek in touristic agencies and no organized tours which is the reason why Bebek is not that touristic. If you decide to have a dinner in some of the restaurants near the water, you are gonna have chance to enjoy the view on a shinny Bosphorus bridge and sparkling Asian part of Istanbul.

 

 At night, Bebek is perfect place for going out. On the entrance of Bebek you can find the most popular clubs in Istanbul: Sortie, Reina etc. And you are def gonna pay attention to luxurious motorbikes and cars, with butterfly doors... quite fascinating.

 

Bebek means baby in Turkish, and that is exactly the way how Turkish people take care of this place, they keep it like a baby.

Enjoy your journey lifelovers and world travellers,
 Love, Ana <3

Šetnja Galata mostom/ Walking to Galata

Sa leve strane se pruža pogled na Sultanahmet, a sa desne strane na Novu džamiju, Egipatsku pijacu začina I turističke brodove. Most Galata je pravi grad u malom. Mene je zapravo fascinirao broj restorana i kafića. Ukoliko budete išli preko mosta sa gornje strane, naći ćete se medju mnogobrojnim ribarima, prodavcima djevreka i ljudima koji vam na roštilju za par sekundi  spreme ribu koja je tek ulovljena, a tu je i savršen pogled na more i grad. Medjutim, ako ipad odlučite da sidjete stepenicama na donju stranu mosta i budete bliže moru, budite spremni na to na će vas uporni konobari vući za rukav i moliti da probate riblje specialitete baš u ribljem restoranu.  
 

Kada dodjete do kraja mosta shvatićete koliko je na Eminonu uvek živo, možda ćak i previše živo za moj ukus. Odatle polazi veliki broj autobusa i brodova, a nalazi se i par stanica tramvaja... 

 

Sa suprotne strane mosta se nalazi Galata kula. U prošlosti je to zapravo bila osmatračnica, a ako odlučite da idete na vrh odatle će vam se pružiti neverovatan pogled na mostove, more i stari deo grada, sve krovove restorana i neodoljivih kafića u kraju. Osetićete se kao da ste na vrhu sveta. U Istanbulu je sve u tome kakav pogled imate!! 

 

Sve uličice oko same kule su strme, kaldrmisane, a govoto svaki objekat je minijaturan. Kafići na platou ispred ulaza u kulu su takodje minijaturni, podsećaju na one koje vidjamo u Parizu I Amsterdamu sa samo par stolova, a sve stolice su okrenute prema ulici. Jedine dve stvari koje mi se nisu svidele su čekanje u redu na ulazak u Galatu- to mi je oduzelo oko sat vremena, ali moglo je da bude i mnogo gore, kao i cena- ulazak iznosi 24TL.

 

Ukoliko ka Galata kuli idete iz pravca centra, ići ćete od Istiklala jednom strmom kaldrmisanom ulicom nizbrdo. Ona je načičkana dućanima od par kvadratnih metara koji prodaju voće, cedjenu pomorandžu, kriške ananasa na štapiću i kafu za poneti. Sama šetnja oko Galate je pravi doživljaj.

 

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On the left side you can see Sultanahmet district and on the right side New mosque, Egiptian Spice Bazar and touristic boats. Galata bridge is quite like a small town. I was fascinated by the number of caffes and restaurants. If you decide to take the upper side of the bridge, you are going to walk among fishermen, simit sellers and people who are able to make you fish tost on a barbeque in just a few sec. And you are also gonna have amazing view. If you decide to take the stairs down the bridge to get closer to the sea, be ready to get annoyed by very persistant waiters who are gonna pull you to visit their restaurant to try on their fish specialities. 

 

When you reach the other side, you are gonna realise how crowded Eminonu is maybe,  too lively for my taste. It's a huge stop for most of buses, boats and trams. 

Galata Tower is located on the opposite side of the bridge. It was actually a watchtower but if you decide to climb on the top of it, you will be able to have the most amazing view on boats, sea, older part of the town, all the roof tops of restaurants and adorable coffee shops in the neighbourhood.

 

All the streets around the Tower are pretty steep, cobble, old and every possible shop there looks like it was made for elves. Caffes located in front of the entrance of Galata Tower are small, you feel like you are in Paris or Amsterdam with just a few tables and all the chairs are looking at the Galata. I didn't like waiting in a line on the entrance, because it can pretty much take half of your day and the price- it's 24TL to get to the top.

 

If you want to get to Galata Tower from the center, you can follow one narrow steep street from Istiklal that goes down. There are a lot of shops there selling fruit, fresh orange juice, slices of ananas on a stick, watermelons and coffee to go. Walking around Galata is such an adventure.

 

 Enjoy your journey lifelovers and world travellers, 

Love, Ana <3

Oaze mira, parkovi Istanbula/ Parks in Istanbul, oasis of peace

Zelenilo, tišina, staze za trčanje, ogradjena igrališta za pse sa jedne i za decu, sa druge strane, fontane i raznobojno cveće je sve ono što čini Maçka park jednom od najlepših mirnih luka u Istanbulu. Nalazi se na 15 minuta hoda od Taksima i 5 minuta od Dolmabahçe palate. 
 

Ovaj park predstavlja pravu malu šumu nasred centra i moje je omiljeno mesto za trčanje. Unutar parka postoji i teretana na otvorenom, kao i par restorana u kojima je ulazak ljubimcima, naravno, dozvoljen. Neizbežno je da ćete se sresti sa šetačima pasa i brojnim mačkama koje slobodno šetaju. U jednom delu je napravljeno igralište za pse sa penjalicama, ljuljaškama i igračkama namenjenim samo najvernijim čovekovim prijateljima.

 

Za vreme vikenda, ljudi iz svih delova grada dolaze ovde na piknik. Park ima idealan pogled jer se nalazi na brdu i jedan je od najlepše sredjenih parkova koje sam videla. Na ulazu se nalaze kućice za pse čuvare tih uz obezbedjenje. Zaista, prava mala oaza mira usred ove metropole.

 

Ukoliko krenete od Dolmabahçe palate prema Ortaköy-u, naići ćete na Yıldız park  koji je veoma popularan medju mladima i idealno mesto za venčanja. Vikendom se iza svakog drugog drveta kriju mlada i mladoženja koji su došli da se fotografišu. Blicevi sevaju na sve strane. 

 

Ono što je mene najviše fasciniralo je veštačko jezero sa kornjačama, patkama, mostićem i veoma ušuškanim i porodičnim ostrvcem za ručak. Pored potoka koji prolazi kroz park videla sam ljude koji igraju uz kubansku muziku, na drugom kraju parka svira se gitara, deca bacaju loptu i bumerang, psi trče, a na samom početku će vas dočekati statue kengura, slona,pregršt cveća i poneka klupa. Idealno mesto ukoliko tražite hlad po vrelom sunčanom danu u Istanbulu.

 

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Forest, peace, running path, playgrounds for dogs, on one side and swings for kids, on the other side, fountains and a lot of colorful flowers are stuff that make Maçka park one of the most popular places in nature in Istanbul where you can find your piece. It's located 15 min walk from Taksim Square and 5 min walk from Dolmabahçe Palace.

 

This park is actually a little forest in the centre and also my fav place for running. There is also a small open air gym inside the park and some pet friendly restaurants. You are definitely gonna notice many dog walkers there and also many cats tanning on bench. This place is heaven for pets because they made a playground with all the toys for them.  

 

During weekend, people from all parts of Istanbul go to Maçka park to make picnic. Park also has amazing view, because it's actually located on the hill and if you ask me i would say: It's one the best designed parks ever!! On the entrance, just near the security, they also built houses for dogs.

 

If you walk from Dolmabahçe Palace to Ortaköy, on the left side you're gonna see another park. Yıldız park  is very popular among youth and ideal place for weddings. I saw many photographers taking pictures of brides and grooms.Flash after flash!!

 

The most fascinating thing is small lake with turtles, ducks, small bridge and cozy family place for lunch. I saw people dancing, listening Cuban music, playing guitar, kids running everywhere and dogs catching the ball and on the beginning you can get warm welcome by statues of kangaroos, elephants and people sitting among flowers. It's truly outstanding place if you want to find some shade on a sunny day in Istanbul.

 

Enjoy your journey lifelovers and world travellers, 

Love, Ana <3

Šetnja kroz Ortaköy/ Walk through Ortaköy

Nedelja. 30C.  Iako je guzva u Istanbulu, oseća se da ljudi opušteno šetaju jer nije radni dan.

 

15 minuta od Dolmabahçe palate prema Bebeku nalazi se Ortaköy- isprepletane uličice načičkane prodavnicama nakita, kafićima i restoranima. Na trgu središnje mesto zauzima čovek koji prodaje hranu za golubove oko koga se okupljaju deca. Kafići i restorani su prepuni, naročito terase na krovu sa prelepim pogledom. Stranci kupuju šarene narukvice i ogrlice sa turskom zastavom, urokljivim okom i mnogim drugim detaljima. Turistički brodovi svraćaju svakih par minuta u luku pored čuvene džamije. 

 

Otkad sam došla u Istanbul ta džamija se renovira, medjutim izgleda da se obnova privodi kraju. Iako je mala, izgleda impresivno, oivičena plavetnilom neba, modrim morem i Bosforskim mostom u pozadini. Svi se utrkuju da se slikaju. 

 

Nekoliko uličica iza džamije nalaze se kiosci sa turskim kumpirom. To je ogroman krompir napunjen povrćem, sosevima, nekada mesom, uostalom možete da birate šta želite da stavite u njega. Ne zna se da li ljudi više uživaju u lepom vremenu, kumpiru ili pogledu na Bosfor.

 

 Ja, naravno, uživam u cenkanju oko narukvice i kapucinu na vrhu terase jednog restorana koji gleda na more . Odatle gledam decu koja skaču u vodu jer su odlučili da otvore sezonu kupanja. Poneki galeb doleti da ukrade pokoje zrno sa terase i onda nastavlja dalje.

 

Ortaköy je poseban jer je blizu centra, ali se osećate kao da ste u malom turističkom mestu. Miriše na so i na leto, a to je sve što mi danas treba.

 

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Sunday. 30C. Although it’s very crowded in Istanbul, you can feel that people are walking relaxed, because it’s weekend. 

 

15 minutes from Dolmabahçe Palace, on a way to Bebek, you can visit Ortaköy. I promise you wont regret it. That part of the city consists of small streets with jewelry shops, plenty of coffee shops and restaurants. And much more. On the main square you can see older guy selling grain for pigeons, with kinds all around him. Cafes and restaurants are packed, especially balconies on the rooftop with amazing view. Foreigners buy colorful bracelets and necklaces with Turkish flag, Turkish eye and other stuff. Touristic boats are coming to the harbor near mosque every sec.

 

That famous mosque is getting renovated since i came here, so I didn't have opportunity to enter there, but it's looks quite impressive. It is actually very small mosque, but the view is just amazing because on one side you can see Bosphorus bridge, on the other boats and sea. Visitors are waiting to take pictures there. 

 

Behind the mosque you can find some kiosks with traditional Turkish kumpir (potato). It's a big potato filled with veggies, soss, sometimes meat, but you can also choose what to put inside. So, you can enjoy Bosforus view, nice sunny weather, smell of see and salt while eating your kumpir. 

 

I enjoyed bargaining about bracelet and  had cappuccino on the terrace of a restaurant that has the best sea view. The main attraction were the kids jumping in the sea, because according to them, the summer has just come. A few sea birds came to say hi and steal some bread from the terrace. I don't think the life can get any better.

Ortaköy is quite special for me, because you are actually close to the center, but still you have a feeling that you went to a touristic place on a seaside. Smelt like salt and summer and that's pretty much all I need.

Enjoy your journey lifelovers and world travellers, 
 Love, Ana <3

Vreme je za nargilu!! / It’s waterpipe time!!

Ukoliko poželite da se opustite u nekom tradicionalnom turskom baru, toplo bih vam preporučila da probate nargilu, pa čak iako niste ljubitelj duvanskog dima. Iako se nargila puši uglavnom neprekidno oko sat vremena I ima jačinu 4 jače cigarete, zbog raznovrsnih aroma koje su u ponudi, nećete ni osetiti snažan miris duvanskog dima. Uz nargilu se obično pije tradicionalni turski čaj. Ukoliko ostanete malo duže u baru, shvatićete da su mušterije uglavnom Turci, većinom muškarci i da često dolaze u većim grupama. 

 

Nargila, koju još nazivaju i šiša je orijentalna lula, sa savitljivim crevom koje je povezano sa visokim postoljem u kome se hladi dim prolaskom kroz vodu. Na Bliskom istoku, u Tunisu i u Turskoj nargila se uglavnom koristi posle jela, kao dezert i za opuštanje. Aroma ima previše, sve su poprilično voćne i slatkaste i zato je moj omiljeni ukus/miris kapućino. Stranci najčešće kupuju što veće i šarenije nargile da bi ih poneli kući kao ukras. Turiste ćete u baru lako prepoznati zato što naruče pivo ili vino uz nargilu, što naravno nikako ne ide. 

 

Na jeftinijim mestima ćete naći nargilu za 15TL, što je oko 5 evra, medjutim u Istanbulu oko Taksima i na Sultanahmetu cene su preko 20TL za oko 100-200 udisaja dima, dakle oko sat vremena. Ovaj egzotični užitak vam preporučujem samo ukoliko želite da se osetite kao pravi starosedelac Istanbula.

 

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If you want to take a break in a traditional Turkish bar, I would highly recommend waterpipe, though you may not be the biggest fan of smoking. You can smoke waterpipe approximately one hour and the strength is equal to 4 cigarettes. But if you choose very strong aroma, you wouldn't be able to feel the smell of the smoke. Turkish people always order traditional Turkish tea that goes very well with the pipe. If you stay a bit longer in a bar, you are gonna realize that most of the customers are Turkish men coming in groups in the evening. 

 

Waterpipe is also called narghila and shisha, and in Middle East, Tunisia and Turkey they use it mostly after the meal as dessert and for relaxation. There are too many aromas, they are all mostly sugary or fruity and that's why my fav flavor is cappuccino. Foreigners mostly buy bigger and more colorful waterpipes so that they take them home as a souvenir . You can easily recognize tourists in a narghila bar because they order beer or wine together with waterpipe which is not a good match according to Turkish people.

 

If you find some cheaper places, pipe costs approximately 5 euros, but in Istanbul in Taksim area or Sultanahmet it's more expensive, so at least 20TL and more. If you want to feel like a real Istanbul citizen, it's highly recommended to smoke some shisha. There's nothing more Turkish than that!!

 

Enjoy your journey life lovers and world travellers, 

Love, Ana.

Turski pedikir Garra Rufa ribama/ Turkish pedicure by Garra Rufa Fish

Akvarijume sa pedikir ribama sam vidjala često, medjutim tek sam skoro probala pedikir tretman i bila sam oduševljena. Sednete, stavite stopala u vodu i u tom trenutnu ribe kreću da jedu mrtve ćelije kože. Sve vreme osećate golicanje po stopalima, tako da sam se ja neprekidno smejala 20 minuta, koliko traje jedan termin. Cena je 5 evra. Stopala su vam posle ovog pilinga veoma meka, jer ribe, skidajući mrtve ćelije sa vaše kože, takodje proizvode enzim koji revitalizuje i pomaže novoj koži da raste. 

Garra Rufa ribe, inače potiču iz Turske iz toplih voda Kangala. Oko 1960. godine turisti su počeli da posećuju ove vode da bi probali masažu i pedikir ribama. Nekoliko godina kasnije Garra Rufa ribe počeli su da koriste svi bolji kozmetički saloni u Turskoj. Nova koža će vam posle ovog tretmana biti mekša i zdravija nego pre, ali i ako ne budite zadovoljni učinkom, svakako ćete se sve vreme smejati :-)

 

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 I've seen aquariums with pedicure fish almost everywhere, but I've tried that treatment just recently and I was glad I did it. You sit, put your feet in an aquarium and then the fish start to eat dead skin from your feet. Every sec you feel tickling on your legs, so I was actually laughing  all 20min, which is actually a duration of one fish spa treatment. The price is 5 euros. After this piling, your feet are gonna be unbelievably soft, but those fish also produce enzyme that has a vitalizing effect on the new skin growth.

 

Garra Rufa fish originally come from Turkey, from warm waters of Kangal. Around 1960. tourists made tours to Kangal, so that they could be able to do fish spa pedicure and massage. Few years later, all the better beauty salons in Turkey started with these fish treatment. After that piling and massage, skin on your feet is gonna be softer and healthier than before, but even in the case that you are not satisfied, you're gonna be laughing all the time :-)

Enjoy your journey lifelovers and world travellers,

Love, Ana…