Tourists

And very stereotypical ones may, if I may say so. My dad caught a bit of a tummy bug/food poisoning yesterday so we've been taking it easy on the shopping today. We've gone to see the Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque this morning and it was absolutely fantastic! If anyone's thinking of coming here, those are two locations that are not to be missed.
Now it's naptime before we head out to lunch and then to see the newest Potter-film.

Here's a batch of touristy pictures for you lot:

The Hagia (or Aya) Sofia

The Aya from the inside

Some of the bysantine mosaic work that's survived

The view of the sea from the Aya

The blue mosque

Me working the blue scarf in the mosque

Enjoying a cooling strawberry milkshake

The Aya from a distance

Some ottoman-style architecture

I think that it's about time to wake up my daddy now and find lunch somewhere before the film. I'm having such a wonderful time (but it's going so fast!) here and I never want to leave.

With love, from Istanbul

xxxx

Ninja

The road to Istanbul

Hellooo!

As I said, these are coming in a bit of a funny order, but please bear with me!

I woke up at 6am (ridiculously early compared to my usual routine). Powered by various sources of caffeine I got to the airport and actually found the plane (ok, so my dad was of help...). Despite my fears, the plane didn't fall and we made it to Budapest (Hungary) where we had a bite to eat and a good look around the (rather nice) airport. We made it on the plane to Istanbul, but before we took off an elderly lady had some sort of seizures and we were delayed (fortunately she was taken care of!). We arrived in Istanbul a bit late, but very excited!

Here's some piccies from the way there (since travelling is half the fun!):

My air-travel essentials: something sweet and fatty to eat, coffee to power me, a neck-pillow and an inspiring, entertaining, exhilarating magazine to flip through.

I took a head start into the A/W fashion (never to early to do a bit of backup research).

I had probably the biggest burger of my life in BK Budapest (now is not the time to complain about my unhealthy diet...)

We also treated ourselves to some delish macaroons at the airport :)

I rather enjoyed the airport at Budapest. Great furniture, so-so food-court and plenty of shopping possibilities (on the schengen side, the other side was a bit dissapointing...). I also really like the design of the place...the eye sort of glides on it...

I think that's all for tonight, folks!

I hope I'll have the energy for another exciting travel update for you lot tomorrow.

Now I'm gonna finish off my cherries and head to sleep (it's been a looooong day)

xxxx

First impressions

These post might come in a bit of a random order since whatever is finished loading first gets published first, but hopefully you can keep up. I had to split my photos into different post because the internet is CRAZY here, it wouldn't let me upload more than 5 photos for each (at least for now).

I arrived in Istanbul with my dad at around 4 (but made it out the airport just before 5). Here's a quick recap or what's happened so far:

We took the tube downtown and then took a taxi, which got lost and just sort of dumped us on the side of the street (plus TOTALLY overcharged). Somehow we managed to find our hotel (thank goodness). It's very neat, has AC, perfect location.Went out for a bit of a walk and dinner in this gorgeous city (I have a few piccies for you :). Now I'm blogging and the dad's watching the news (shocking about Oslo...). Cherries. mmm. Such an adventure just to get here, but I've tackled it with a sense of humour and loved every minute!

A local ice cream, dondürma. Flavour's pretty average but it "stretches". Also the vendors put on a bit of a show (almost dance-like) when they serve it, quite peculiar but lovely.

One of many beautiful mosques we've seen

A tunnel with lots of little stores (I bought a top there)

A bridge under which you can walk, drink and dine. We had a lovely sea-food dinner at a restaurant with an amazing waterfront view. Shrimp salad, fried crablegs, fish on a skewer, chilly shrimp cocktail -and a rose from the waiter, who seemed to take a liking to me after hearing that my dad is in fact my dad, not my boyfriend. 

I'm really cherishing this time with my dad since he lives in Sweden because of his job. And I always love to experience new places and cultures. Tomorrow I think we're heading to the grand bazaar. This is going to be a full week, but I'm hoping that I can catch the final Potter-movie while I'm here as well.

Any Istanbul travel-tips from those who've been here?

Hope you guys are well!

xxx

Ninja