Istanbul in July

[Cruiser Elite]

Another night we went to Sultanas - Istanbul's most famous belly dancing outlet. Star performer is Didem:



And:



Apparently Didem has had 20mill hits on her You Tube videos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBRpq0ugjtw

What can I say - it was an experience - the night got better the more cheap sh*tty Turkish red wine we drank - but it was fun and with lots of audience participation.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Istklal Avenue is one of the main shopping strips in IST - 1.4km long pedestrian traffic only - except for the cute little trams that run up and down:



And here is Cruiserette sponging a free ride:



Apparently she had to pay for my alcohol bill which left insufficient funds for transportation needs!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Didn't get to Spice Market but did see this stand of spices on side of road:



And for those that want to spice up the sex life there is always this:

 

[tomw]

Another night we went to Sultanas - Istanbul's most famous belly dancing outlet. Star performer is Didem:

Apparently Didem has had 20mill hits on her You Tube videos - Didem Kinali Preforms @ 2013 BDC's opening gala in China - YouTube

Even has her own Wikipedia page - how many belly dancer's would have that!

 

[zainman]

Cruiser if you're still there you should definitely try these: Kizilkayalar Restaurant Reviews, Istanbul, Turkey - TripAdvisor

I would go back to IST just for them! YUMM

 

[vitagen]

Awesome!!! I'm heading go Istanbul April next year and can't wait! The pics look magnificent!

 

[amaroo]

Awesome!!! I'm heading go Istanbul April next year and can't wait! The pics look magnificent!

Quite a number of AFFers will be IST in April........exotic AFF drinks :idea:

 

[amaroo]

Cruiser your photos have taken me back to La Alhambra (Granada) and Alcazar (Seville) - Beautiful!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Currently ensconced in TK Lounge in IST - and I gotta admit = a tad underwhelmed. Let me explain pls.

Several quarters have ranked this Lounge in Top 10 in World - such as - The Top 10 Premium Airport Lounges of 2013 – Skift

YES it is HUGE - YES it has a large variety of FRESH HEALTHY FOOD - YES it does offer a range of FREE wine and spirits - YES it does offer incredible range of past time activities.

BUT - any Lounge that does not offer complimentary Champagne of for that matter sparkling bubbly wine of any description could net rate in Top 100 Lounges in World let alone Top 10. I have been breaking my neck to get here - a tad disappointed I must admit.

 

[vitagen]

Not sure of the quality of champagne for a business level lounge or if it could be a viable option. Even QF doesn't have champagne in their J lounges. (From the ones I've visited)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Now I fully understand how Billy Hayes felt - Midnight Express (1978) - IMDb



I'm innocent - honest I am!!!

 

[Skyring]

"No pictures can do this justice - it must be physically experienced."

Aya Sofya is an amazing place. You can feel the history in the stones, worn, not just smooth, but hollow.

Yes, I've tried to capture it on camera. Can't be done.

I love the great holy places. Aya Sofya, Sagrada Familia, Salisbury Cathedral, some of the Japanese temples. The architecture and the decorations create a sense of majesty that touches something in us.

Thanks for the report. Istanbul is an incredible place. I've seen the touristy sights and barely scratched the surface. You've given me some good ideas. Touch wood, I'll be there again in September. Might do the sunset from Asia thing. That sounds fantastic.

 

[Pushka]

Istanbul this time in a week.

 

[NFF]

ISTANBUL THE DREAM CITY - YouTube

 

[Pushka]

That's an excellent video. Just watched the first few minutes until later. It would have been wonderful to look at everything without the crowds. Lots of memories there.

 

[NFF]

The video is nicely done.
https://youtu.be/z7yqtW4Isec