Istanbul Travel Sketch -2- Touristic

There are lots of things that I would like to write about my experiences in Istanbul...

This time, let me write about the touristic part of it, because I would love to share the photos with you!

On 7th/Oct, my adventure in the exotic city has just started.
Tram is one of the main method of transport in Istanbul. It runs on the road like this!

Topkapı Sarayı (the most famous palace in Istanbul) was the first destination.
On the way there.

Everywhere is photogenic!

Inside of the palace.
Very interesting "Harem".

This is the apartment for eunuchs.
Right here... I was absorbed into the mystery world...
Why did the emperors in various countries in the past make "Harem" like this?
Why was "eunuch system" made for men to work for the emperors?
The same system existed in China, Japan (though there was not eunuch system in Japan) and some other countries.
Is this by accident? Or can it be said that it is universal rule?
Nevertheless it must have been most difficult to learn about the system of foreign countries in that past.
I wanted to learn more about Harem and the emperors lives.

Hope you imagine how beautiful was it .... It was too beautiful to picture, actually!

This is Sultan's private bathrooms.

Hmmmm now I understood how the term, "breathtakingly" meant!

Enjoyed details too.

Wooow!!! Galata tower is seen!! Isn't it very Istanbul!?

Below is Sultan's dinning.
Do you recognize that all tiles are painted with fruits? Isn't it cute?

Finished Harem. Went to outside. One more thing to add about Harem, it cannot be seen from outside even its garden too.

Before enjoyed the spectacular view of  the Bosporus, I enjoyed lots of  treasures that photo was not allowed.
It was indeed great including the treasure knives which were very beautiful, gorgeous dresses of Sultans (I was amazed to see them! Fun to see as well), and the huge diamond!!
It was really huge and beaming!
I've never seen such strong beam from the diamond before!  My eyes actually was hurt by the reflection from the diamond.  Really great to see that! Girls are always loving diamonds.

Then, I moved to the restaurant inside of the palace which has a great view of the Bosporus!
How I can tell you my excitement of that moment... I came from Asia and it is just across the Bosporus... and I was standing on the edge of Europe! Isn't is cool?
The Bosporus bridge was also in the view!
I wanted the sunshine hopefully.... it should have been more gorgeous if I could see the reflection of the sun on the Bosporus sea. I actually wanted to have lunch at exact that table in the below photo!
Unfortunately, I couldn't do that due to rain....
But! We always can use our imaginations!  I imagined how it would be beautiful if it didn't rain. :)
(It still WAS beautiful and I was totally blown away!)

What I ate there... meat stuffed green peppers with Chai. :)

Again, this is Asian side, viewed from Europe side.

Another garden in the palace.

New city across Golden Horn bay.

Went out from the palace, and off to Blue Mosque.

Wooaaaa costumes of belly-dance!

Artistic Blue Mosque!

Ayasofya.

Inside of Blue Mosque. The blue sky was seen for just a few minutes.

It was so hard to picture how beautiful was inside of Blue Mosque!
Indeed breathtaking. Softly shining as blue.

Inside of Ayasofya.

This is the wet pole. I was making a wish right there... I heard that women would be able to become pregnant if we could touch the water in it. Woow, wooow....I think... I could touch the water in it... I hope so... :)

Wall paintings inside of Ayasofya.

Went out from Ayasofya.... oh what a complex construction is it.

The cemetery of Sultans. I made a soundless prayer there...

Lunch was "Manti", traditional Turkish menu. I had decided to have it:)  It is sort of Turkish Raviolis with yogurt sauce. With Rake which is Turkish spirit just like.... Pastis in France, Uzo in Greece.
Rake is originally transparent like water and getting white with water.

Then, headed to the basement palace!

OMG.... it was so beautiful and mysterious.

Then, I finished seeing around old city and moved to new city.
On the way going to new city, I walked on Galata bridge on Golden Horn bay.
Such a fun walk while seeing the view of old city and new city.

Istanbul looked like the nice place for kitties. I loved the pose of the left one :)

I didn't know that new city is also exotic! I'd thought that new city is just new. But it was not.
Fun to walk around.

This is the French street. :)

I had chai and white wine at the lovely cafe.  And some new friends were very nice to me.
Thanks Ecer and his brother to help me at that time. It was very kind of you.

On the way to Galata tower, I stepped into a Lokatan, a local restaurant.
An eggplant, mincemeat and a green pepper...!
Oh my, those are all my favorite! This is a dream combination of my fav foods! :))

Charming allies

Finally got to Galata tower.

From top of Galata tower.  Wooow view.
HOWEVER.... It rained unbelievably heavily!
My jeans totally got wet and my umbrella broke.
But again.... I could use imagination.... :))

Various directions from the top! The Bosporus, Golden Horn bay, old city, new city, Asian side....

Waiting for sunset. :) My original plan was to see the beautiful sunset from there.
However alas... hmmmm my plan was not completed under such bad weather. 
Again, I was forced to use "imagination"....

In other name, the steep city, Istanbul!

There was a fish market by Golden Horn bay.

I took the shortest metro in the world!
Again what a steep!

Arrived at Taksim place which is the center of new city.
What a traffic!

Then,  voila! I got to the place seeing belly-dance! huhu!

I've heard that Asena is the most famous belly-dancer. Hmmmm! Her dance was very emotional too!

On the way back to the hotel in old city, historical district.
View from Galata bridge never bores me!

Looking back the Bosporus bridge.

Night view of Topkapu palace.

Mmm! I love this photo!

Mmmmm!!! I looove this photo! He was selling mackerel sandwiches by Galata bridge.

THIS IS IT!! Roasted mackerels are my favorite. Simply with salt and lemon. No bones with them!
This is very similar to that of Japan. I loved it.

Above was all about 7th/Oct!  from 9:00 AM to midnight....  

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And then, below was on 8th, just before the concert.
I went to another palace in new city, called Dolmabache palace.

Photo was not allowed inside of the palace. It was such a gorgeous palace with lots of HUGE and BEAUTIFUL chandeliers. Some of them were made by Bacarat which most interested me. It was indeed an overwrought palace inside and out. 
There was a Harem too.
Again, I got into the mystery world and got the same questions as that I thought at Topkapu palace.
Plus, I thought that.... "Hmmmm isn't it only a 'cute stuff' that some guys like to enjoy VIP rooms with ladies, compared with that Sultans actually did in this overwrought banquet rooms....:)"
And.... I thought a funny thing too. I've heard that Sultan's mother used to be the most important woman in the Harem who had to control everyone and everything. To hear that, I said in my mind that "Don't be jealous of your hubby's mom! Mother-in low is always the strongest in all through the ages"  Isn't it correct? :))

There are some guards with riffles even today.

After this, I went back to the hotel and prepared for Chris Botti's concert!

(Preparation took for almost 3 hours haha!!!)

Istanbul travel sketch continues.

Next is about the treasure meeting with friends!

Thanks for sharing my experiences in Istanbul!

Istanbul travel sketch -1- Chris Botti concert

The travel sketch of Shanghai was not completed, but let me drop a note about Chris Botti concert in Istanbul first, because some of you are waiting to hear about it :)

8/Oct, on the heaviest raining evening, Chris Botti and the band performed in beautiful Istanbul.
I sat in the 2nd row, in front of the piano which has a great view!

Show started a little past 9PM.
He opened the show with beautiful Ave Maria.
I didn't want to miss A SINGLE note. Because I came there all the way from Japan to see his concert!
Oh my.... it was the hell long way via Dubai... I didn't calculate exact how much time it took, actually.
I knew that I was stacked at Dubai airport for over 9 hours, at least!

And that I was very very... moved and excited that the show finally started. The show that I dreamed of almost every night recently.

When I Fall in Love was followed afterword. I always look forward to Chris' and everyone's solo in this song. Chris's solo was powerful and COOL this time too!

Caroline Campbell appeared on the stage!
It was my very first time to see her perform. How beautiful is she and talented!
Loved her performance! Very touched.

Chris had another very special guest that night. Very famous Turkish jazz pianist, Fahir Atakoğlu had a duet with Chris for "My funny valentine".
It was wooow.... so sensitive, heart-warming and beautiful.
I hope that it was recorded and would be shared with everyone.
Fahir Atakoğlu looked indeed famous in Turkey! Because when he walked on the stage and sat by the piano, some photographers rushed beside of the stage and took some photos!
(I believe that those photos will be disclosed in Turkish media soon!)
It was the sweetest My funny Valentine!

Lisa Fisher also appeared.
Very first time too for me.
She was so talented, confident and she has a great skill of singing!
Her "translation" of those songs were also new to me.
Every musician must have different way of translation and expression.

Another new stuff for me was Nessan Dorma!!!
Wooaaa..... it was wonderful..... I was totally absorbed.

Band of the night was Billy Kilson on the drams, Mark Whitfield on the gaiter, Geoffrey Keezer on the piano (which was also new to me!) and Andy Ezlyn on the key. (I am very sorry that I missed the base player's name... he was new to me as well.)

Funny but lovely thing  happened at the very last song. Audience came close to the stage, and they enjoyed the last song just in front of the stage! Chris encouraged them to come, actually!
(That is never going to happen in Japan in terms of security)
There are some standing ovations during the show and the the last standing ovation was very big!
I knew that EVERYONE in the audience enjoyed the show and was amazed!
Me.... totally!

Chris said at the beginning something like that he was honored to play in such beautiful Istanbul, and he came there to perform 4 years ago too.
(Mark said to Chris "speak slowly...." haha)

Chris Botti, Caroline Campbell and Fahir Atakoğlu appeared for meet and greet.
I missed say hi to Caroline that I looked forward to.... She disappeared when I made line for Chris Botti...

Very honored to say hi to Fahir Atakoğlu and could tell him I loved he perform My Funny Valentine.
He softly smiled me back and we shock hands each other.
( I should have taken photos with him if it was allowed...)

Chris Botti sat behind the table signing to everyone. (Jeremy controlled audience as usual, looked very busy!)
Chris told me what a surprise that I came there, and chatted a little. (I appreciate it!)

As always.... I don't think I could tell him how much I loved his performance and "how slow the moments go till" I finally could attend his concert! Because I always worry about the people behind me in the line and know that I shouldn't take long time to talk to him for them.
But again, I very appreciate for that he makes such opportunity for us to say hi to him after the concert while he must be tired!

It should be tougher than I could imagine that Chris and the band are doing every day.
Air port, plane, airport, (sometimes worrying about lost luggage or delaying!) and doing their best in their concerts!
It is definitely so respectful.

I met WONDERFUL people and made friends with there.
I can't write about it in this blog, but will write separately...!

Photos....
Sorry in advance that they were not good....
I am so sorry that you guys looked forward to the photos, right?
I tried, but not sure how to adjust my camera....
Here it is.... just in case....
(I missed asking Chris Botti to pose with me.... My brain became totally WHITE and forgot almost everything just in front of Chris Botti....)

More to come about Istanbul travel sketch (other part than the concert!)

Shanghai -2-

Following with the previous quote, I'll continue writing about Shanghai travel.
This time is about "Venice of Shanghai".
Unforetunately , I forgot the exact name of that village.
It was a beautiful canal village, laying 1h away from Shanghai city.

It's indeed a beautiful place... like this!

and peaceful

A dog was bathing.
It was cute:)

 

Me

The sky was beautiful.

We were invited to the Chinese opera at the beautiful outdoor theater.

Before starting the performance, we chatted at the terrace with friends.

When the Sun went down, the performance was almost to start.

 Just before the performance, the owner showed us his collections.
OMG...

He succeeded in IT industry in China, and owned not only the art peaces but also more than 80 peaces of antique Steinway pianos. OMG....

What a beautiful Opera house!

Very first time to see Chinese opera for me.

It was a perfect beauty, natural stage (wind, sky, moon....), unique voice...

I loved that!

And we move to the restaurant by boat!

It was fun ride.

We enjoyed the wonderful dinner with lovely people.

And... my friend was asked to dance from the gentle owner!

Wonderful thing is that "she did"!!

I would like to do that when I would be asked to dance by a gentleman! :))

And the rest of us were doing "Paparazzi", and it was fun.

It was one night of mine in China. I loved being there, I loved talking to wonderful friends there!

To be continued for more about Shanghai.... (hopefully soon)

Shanghai-1-

Well it's been quite a long time since I updated the previous blog about Berlin.... Berlin.... oh long time ago, it was on new year's eve, and now it's mid summer.

I think, I've had lots of things would like to write onto the blog, about New York, Kyoto, Nagano, more about Berlin, Concerts, Foods, Nature, Diet, Exercises, Cooking etc etc....

This time, I will write about Shanghai that I've traveled for 5 days in the B/Aug.

Above all, it was amazing!

I've been so much interested in Chinese history, culture, art and nature, but it was my very first time flying in the main land of China.

And my interests for China increased drastically after this travel.

We visited only Shanghai this time. I'd like to go to Beijing next. Because I'm pretty much interested in 紫禁城.

And also, I'd like to see Great Wall of China. Isn't it the one & only artificial construction which can be seen from the space?

And of course to visit Shanghai again.

My travel purpose for visiting Shanghai next time will be to see my new friends there.

It's true that it is wonderful to see new "things" or "landscape". But it is very true that to meet people is more than everything.  I really would like to say THANK YOU for my new friends in Shanghai.

They are all lovely.

And I'd like to give my hugest appreciation to my dear friend who invited me to this travel. 

It was on Sun that one of my best friend told me to go there together, and we departed Japan on Wed. :))
Isn't it cool? :)

Well....
This time, I will write about "Sound Walking".
It was very fun activity that we did in Shanghai.

Hopefully, I will write more about Shanghai/our experience in my upcoming blog.

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First of all, have you heard about "Sound Walk"?

Please visit here.

http://www.soundwalk.com/

and what we did actually was;

http://www.soundwalk.com/#/TOURS/lv_shanghai/

What is Sound Walk?

It is not an usual "sound guide" but there is a story, and a character in the story guides us with beautiful music and sound.

First, we download the application into our iPod.

Then, we walk while listening to it.

The persona guides like...."first, please sit down at the table of XX hotel and order a tea... pay now.... let's get out of the hotel and turn right.... you follow me.... you'll see XXX on your right and that was my memorial place. I'll tell you my bitter sweet memory and you'll share my memories while walking with me......."

Something like that.

And we are walking "into the bitter sweet story".

See? Don't you think it's curious/interesting and fun!

There are some surprises too, such as...getting into the secret garden which is closed.

But we actually could get enter with a secret code!

- and the story teller said "you shouldn't tell the code to anyone else" :))

And, we actually entered the secret restaurant/bar too.

How?  We were told how to enter the secret code of the front door!!

It was very adventurous and excited us.

Also... we walked into some small alleys and there were no tourists around.

There were stories for each and every small alley. I felt that it was very lovely.

I got very emotional to hear Rachmaninov's 1st piano concerto and it was a part of the story.

That is one of my favorite tune.
Quality of music and sound effects are really great.
Not only experience the story, but also we see the real lives there.
We saw the native people cook, play, do their daily lives, and it is interesting.
And it made me feel I was a stranger there. Can it be called "nostalgia"?
It was about 1h tour. Added one more precious memory to my life :)

Here are some photos during sound walk.

We started this activity from a lovely hotel named "Mansion Hotel".

It was very.... a la old Shanghai.

We had lunch there :)

then, started walking...

This is the secret garden which secret code is necesary!

 

and... secret restaurant & bar which also needs a secret code.

there is no notice too.

To be continued for night views/activities etc....

ps: to see above photos, hmmmm is is not so good....

But the actual experience was amazingly good...!

Please experience by yourselves somewhere in the world...

I highly recomend this activity to everyone.