Istanbul... Day two in this city

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Waking up to a bright morning, today we will take you to several places. This morning, we rushed to Hagia Sophia to queue up to enter. **Hagia Sophia is considered one of the 7 wonders of the world in the Middle Ages.** The history of this place is very interesting...

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You must purchase the Istanbul Museum Pass in advance. The price is 125 TL (as of July 2018). You can buy it at various tourist spots. I bought mine at Hagia Sophia. This single pass grants you access to multiple museums.

Museums accessible with the Istanbul Museum Pass:

  • Topkapi Palace Museum and Harem
  • Hagia Sophia Museum
  • Archaeology Museum
  • Hagia Irene
  • Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
  • Chora Museum
  • Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
  • Galata Mevlevi House Museum
  • Yildiz Palace Museum
  • Rumeli Hisari Museum
  • Fethiye Museum

The Istanbul Museum Pass is valid for 120 hours (5 days).


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Hagia Sophia (Accessible with Istanbul Museum Pass)

The Hagia Sophia, a testament to architectural ingenuity, has undergone three distinct phases of construction. Initially a Christian church, it was later transformed into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Sultan Mehmed II, recognizing its architectural splendor, opted to preserve the structure rather than demolish it. Instead, he converted it into a mosque by concealing Christian imagery with plaster and hanging Islamic calligraphy plaques.


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As can be seen in this picture, the image of Jesus is in the center, between the Islamic signs.


Over time, the paint covering the image of Jesus was removed, transforming the interior of Hagia Sophia into a space that embraced both Christianity and Islam.


This is a popular photo of this place… As you can see, the plaster has peeled off.




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Blue Mosque... Photographed from the Hagia Sophia exit, located opposite.


Next, we will take you to admire the Topkapi Palace (accessible with the Istanbul Museum Pass). Pronounced Topkapi, it means "cannon gate." The palace was built by Sultan Mehmed II on a site adjacent to the sea.

Topkapi Palace Gate

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We can see Istanbul (European side) and Turkey (Asian side) at a glance.


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The Topkapi Palace is beautiful, with its Islamic-style decorations.



After leaving Topkapi Palace, we stopped by the Seven Hills Restaurant for a cup of tea. This restaurant offers stunning views of both the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. For those visiting Turkey, don't miss the opportunity to try the delicious apple tea.

This angle offers a view of the Hagia Sophia.


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Balcava and Apple Tea

This phrase translates to "Balcava and apple tea, please."

Here is a breakdown of the individual words:

  • ขนม (khanom) - dessert, snack
  • Balcava - a type of Thai dessert made with coconut milk, sugar, and tapioca flour
  • และ (lae) - and
  • ชา (cha) - tea
  • แอปเปิ้ล (aep-pen) - apple

The phrase is a simple request for a specific dessert and beverage.


The next stop is the Archaeology Museum (accessible with the Istanbul Museum Pass). This museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from various eras in Turkish history. It is located near Topkapi Palace, but several buildings were undergoing renovations during our visit.

Those who enjoy viewing ancient artifacts should not miss this opportunity.


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The snake head of the pillar we found on the first day is here.


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Statue of Poseidon

This reminds us of the scene in Game of Thrones where Arya uses the faces in the Hall of Faces to transform into other people.


Ancient sarcophagi, typically crafted from marble, displayed a variety of designs and dimensions. The intricate carvings and the size of the sarcophagus reflected the social status of the deceased.

The Sunken Palace: Exploring the Yerebatan Sarnici

Descending into the Yerebatan Sarnici, a subterranean water storage system dating back to the reign of Emperor Justinian, is an experience that evokes both awe and a touch of trepidation. The dimly lit, humid atmosphere creates a sense of mystery, while the rows of towering columns stretching into the darkness inspire a sense of wonder.

Though no longer serving its original purpose, the Yerebatan Sarnici (also known as the Basilica Cistern) now welcomes visitors to explore its depths. The 20 TL entrance fee grants access to this unique historical landmark, which is not included in the Istanbul Museum Pass.

As you navigate the labyrinthine pathways, the sheer scale of the cistern becomes apparent. The numerous columns, some adorned with intricate carvings, rise from the water, creating an almost otherworldly ambiance. The silence, broken only by the occasional drip of water, adds to the surreal atmosphere.

The Yerebatan Sarnici stands as a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the Byzantine era. Its construction, completed in the 6th century, involved the transportation and placement of countless stone columns, a feat that required immense skill and coordination.

While the cistern's primary function was to provide water for the Great Palace of Constantinople, it also served as a strategic reserve during times of siege. Its hidden location and vast capacity made it an invaluable resource for the city's defense.

Today, the Yerebatan Sarnici offers a glimpse into the past, transporting visitors to a time when Constantinople was a thriving center of power and influence. Its unique atmosphere and historical significance make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in exploring the hidden treasures of Istanbul.




However, the most notable pillar is the Medusa pillar. Some of the Medusa statues here are built upside down or sideways. This is because of the ancient belief that if we look into Medusa's eyes, we will turn to stone.

The highlight here is the Medusa pillar, but this one is tilted sideways.


The next highlight of the day was a boat trip. While waiting for the boat to depart, we stopped by "Hafiz Mustafa," a famous Turkish dessert shop, for some sweets. This shop is very old.


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This elderly gentleman is likely the founder.

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Turkish Delight. It's quite sweet.


Personally, I really like Rice Pudding, but I don't like Orange Pudding that much.

Turkish Coffee is too bitter for me...


It's time for a boat trip. This cruise will take us through the Bosphorus Strait (which we learned about in the past, making me a little excited) and see the Asian side of Turkey and the European side of Istanbul. The boat trip takes about an hour and costs 15 TL. The wind blowing on my face is cool and comfortable, and I'm enjoying it.

Bosphorus Bridge and Ortakoy on the European side

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Asia side.

The Maiden's Tower: A Beacon in the Sea

The Maiden's Tower, known in Thai as หอคอยกลางทะเล, stands as a solitary sentinel amidst the vast expanse of the ocean. Its imposing structure evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue, inviting exploration and contemplation.

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The boat will drop us off near our original location. We then took a walk around the Galata Bridge, which connects the old and new European zones of Istanbul. We were able to walk across it. There were many people fishing on the bridge, and there were many restaurants under it. However, from what we have heard, it is not recommended to eat there. Turkish people like to sit by the water, some fishing and throwing their catch to the cats in the area (there are a lot of stray cats here, hardly any dogs). The cats eat the fish fresh. Some people even jump into the water to play. I wonder if they are not afraid of getting their bodies caught on the fishing hooks. It's a bit confusing.



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Continuing from where we left off in the previous episode, Turkey - Istanbul Day 1.

Today, on my way back to my accommodation at night, I encountered a shoe shiner, just like yesterday. As usual, the shoe shiner crossed our path. My boyfriend said, "Watch, he's going to drop his brush again." And just like that, the brush fell with a loud thud. My boyfriend screamed in surprise. No one dared to help or intervene, they were all scared. It was like a scene from a movie. Back at the hotel, my boyfriend immediately searched Google for information about shoe shiners. He found out that this is a common tactic they use. If you pick up their brush, they will pretend to shine your shoes as a way of thanking you. However, once they are done, they will demand payment. If you refuse, their accomplices hiding nearby will swarm you. Thankfully, we weren't targeted. Despite this incident, Turkey is a safe country. Throughout our trip, we haven't encountered any unfriendly people, except for the shoe shining gang.


#hagia sophia#blue mosque#yerebatan#museum#istanbul#istanbul.#tourism#travel#international travel#tourist city#turkey#turkey
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