We went to Istanbul by Qatar Airways. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Doha took about 7 .5 hrs, followed by another 4 .5hrs to Istanbul.
What did i do throughout the long hours journey? Once the flight took off, i started to flip through the newspaper, followed by watching movies till the meal is served. Basically, is eat and sleep!!!
There are 5hrs time different between Istanbul and Malaysia. Finally we arrived at 7.30 pm (approx 11.30pm in Malaysia). We proceed to dinner at Okyanus Balik Restaurant which is located at Kumkapi. 
Menu : 5 varies cold meze, 2 varies hot meze, Pastry, pan fried aubergine, salad, grilled mackarel and fruits.
Olive is the mainly consumed by most of the locals. 
Blue Mosque, Istanbul:
The Blue Mosque is one of the most prominent landmarks of Istanbul, especially when viewed from the First Hill or from the Asian shore of the Sea of Marmara. It is very impressive with its beautiful domes and semidomes, nice courtyards and six slender minarets. The Blue Mosque was founded by Sultan Ahmet I. He ordered Architect Mehmed Aga to begin constuction in 1609 and the whole complex was completed in 1616.
We are not permited to enter the mosque from the main entrance. To enter the mosque, we have to remove our shoes, where a plastic bag is given. 
After the gate, one meets the breathtaking interior of the mosque with its chandelliers and blue tiles. The mosque is all surrounded by beautiful 17C Iznik tiles which give its name to the Blue Mosque. Its built from natural mable, bringing the cooling effect. Its marble comes from the Island of Marmara (the Turkish word for marble ,"Mermer" comes from Marmara) 
There is a fountain in the middle which is used as decorative purposes. 
The square in front of the Blue Mosque covers the site of the ancient "Hippodrome", one of the most famous areas in Byzantine Constantinople. The most attractive one is the "Egyptian Obelisk". This building was originally constructed by Pharaoh Tutmosis III(1549-1503 BC). It was 60 m. (200 feet) high and weighed 800 tons. When shipped from Egypt to Constantinople, it was split into three and only the very top of it survived. It was erected to Constantinople during the reign of Theodosius I in 390.
There is a fountain in the middle which is used as decorative purposes. The square in front of the Blue Mosque covers the site of the ancient "Hippodrome", one of the most famous areas in Byzantine Constantinople. The most attractive one is the "Egyptian Obelisk". This building was originally constructed by Pharaoh Tutmosis III(1549-1503 BC). It was 60 m. (200 feet) high and weighed 800 tons. When shipped from Egypt to Constantinople, it was split into three and only the very top of it survived. It was erected to Constantinople during the reign of Theodosius I in 390. 
External of the building.
St Sofia Museum:
St Sophia Museum: Hagia Sophia (Saint Sophia) was built as a Constantinian Church by the emperor Justinian I, between A.D. 532 and 537 and in it's ancient time, it represented the largest covered space in the world.
When Constantinople was taken by the Ottomans' in 1453, Sultan Mehmet II (FATIH SULTAN MEHMET) added 4 minarets, a fountain (sadirvan) and mausoleum (turbe). He converted it into a Mosque and it served as a Mosque for 5 centuries.
The mihrab located in the apse where the altar used to stand, pointing towards Mecca.
Pic below: Apse mosaic of the Theotokos (Virgin Mother and Child)
On the way to Topkapi Palace, we amazed with the plant, as its root grows from the soil, up to the roof, then turn downwards again. 
Topkapi Palace: Sultan Mehmet the Ottoman Conqueror built the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul shortly after he conquered the city in the 15th century. The palace is a complex surrounded by 5 km of walls and occupies an area of 700,000 sq. m at the tip of the historical peninsula.
The courts, chambers, pavilions and other sections can be viewed at the floor plan of Topkapi Palace.
The courts, chambers, pavilions and other sections can be viewed at the floor plan of Topkapi Palace. The first courtyard is known as the courtyard of the Janissaries, who acted as one of the branches of the Ottoman army. The second courtyard served as the official section of the palace, holding the imperial kitchens, bakery, storage rooms and the divan. The third courtyard opens with the Arz Odasi (audience hall for visitors to the Sultan). The fourth court is more of a garden than a courtyard. 
Is time for lunch! We dined at Konyali Saray Restaurant. What we have? First, Turkish style soup, seasonal turkish salad, followed by chicken doner kebab with rice and pudding.
Let's talk about Kebab, the most signature dish in Istanbul. Kebap (Kebab) is fried meat. Doner-kebap is a bread roll stuffed with chopped meat. Shish-kebab is grilled meat. Iskender-kebab is chopped meat, placed on a plate with a bread roll, sauce and yogurt. There are more that a hundred kinds of Kebab.
The meat is first marinated with some spices, olive oil and become much softer. It's usually served with fresh vegetables, salads, rice or bulgur rice. The well-known examples of kebabs are Shish-kebab (made of lamb or chicken grilled on skewers) and Doner Kebab (like Greek Gyro).
Oily oil is widely consumed by the locals. This is the type usually preferred for frying or as an ingredient in cooked dishes. Scientific research in recent years has revealed the benefits of olive oil for health, particularly where the heart and arteries are concerned.
Have you try to dine on the al fresco roof top?
We have dinner at Ikinci Bahar Cicek Pasaji Restaurant, near The busiest walking street.
Menu : 7 varies cold meze, 3 varies hot meze, main course selection of Meatball / Lamb shisi / Chicken shisi / Meat casserole / Fish of the day, Seasonal salad, fruits and free flow of drinks, beer, wine, raki and so on. 
Pic above : They mixed olive oil and vinegar with fresh garden salad.
Pic below :Raki is anisette. They drink it with water, it gives raki a muddy color. Turks call it "lion milk". It contains 40% of the alcohol.
I like this, deep fried shell, served with local salad cream.
Selection of Meatball / Lamb shisi / Chicken shisi / Meat casserole / Fish of the day. The fish is the best choice- fresh and sweet!
The restaurant offers wide varieties of starters.
After dinner, we are free to enjoy our shopping spree in the Walking Street. Is not worth to shop as things are expensive in Istanbul. US dollar and YTL are wide accepted in Istanbul.
When most of them were crazy for shopping, i was the only one who wanted to discover something new through my camera lens. The europeans hate paparazzi. Believe it or not?? As i walked through the street with my camera, they thought i am one of them. I smiled and said "l'm not!". End up, i changed to another smaller digital camera. At least its not so obvious.
i passed by one of the restaurant at the Walking Street. These sweet and tempting local desserts catched my attention.
A spectacular way to explore the local life in one of the oldest areas in Istanbul. We went to Spice Bazaar/Egyptian Bazaar in the morning. Scroll through the market, the bazaar is filled with all kind of spices, nuts, Turkey delights, dried fruits, Apple Tea and seeds.
The entrance is on a big square facing the ferry dock on the Golden Horn, with a huge pigeon-covered mosque on the left.
An interesting item to buy is an “Evil Eye”. Everyone in Turkey and Greece has one, to prevent bad things from happening to you. Most of them bought it for souvenirs. It cost about 1 -2Euro per pc. Turkish Talisman, (Evil Eyes), is an object which you believe has magic powers to protect you or bring you luck. Turkish people believe that it absorbs bad energy coming from evil eyes.
As usual, i am not interested to spend money on shopping. Erm..i'm sorry coz i didn't buy a lot of souvenirs for my friends and family. What i like most is to take more photographs.
As you can see from the following photos, there are so many Turkish delights one can choose from. Turkish delight is a confection made from starch and sugar. Some types contain small nut pieces, usually pistachio, hazelnut, mint, walnuts and so on.
Besides turkish delights, saffron plays important role in cooking. Becareful when you purchase saffron as there are many type of saffron with different range of prices. It is a spice derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus. Saffron's aroma is often described by connoisseurs as reminiscent of metallic honey with grassy or hay-like notes, while its taste has also been noted as hay-like and somewhat bitter.
Take a closer look, It says " Turkish Viagra - Take this once and you will make love five times in an hour. Wait and see.."
Taking photos in front of the Yeni Mosque in Eminonu District with the tour guide, Fatih. He is a nice guy! 
Taking photo with the local tour guide, Fatih and tour leader, Mr Lee. Mr Lee is a very experienced tour guide. He has more than 10 years experience leading tours in US and Europe. He told me that he went to Grand Canyon US more than 50 times. Wao....that's a place i wish to visit one day.
Taking photo with the local tour guide, Fatih and tour leader, Mr Lee. Mr Lee is a very experienced tour guide. He has more than 10 years experience leading tours in US and Europe. He told me that he went to Grand Canyon US more than 50 times. Wao....that's a place i wish to visit one day. 
The interior of Grand Bazaar. We have about 3 hours shopping in the bazaar. Grand Bazaar is the largest covered market in the world with more than 58 streets and 6,000 shops, and has between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. You can find all kind of things in the bazaar i.e. turkish delights, leather jackets, t-shirts, jewelry, watches, carpets, handbags and so on. Beware of those beautiful luxury brands, coz you will hardly identify the originality.
Compare to other countries in Asia, you will notice that 100% men did the servicing job at their respective shops. Where else, in Asia, most of the ladies take charge of serving the customers.
Bosphorus Cruise is a very interesting journey through the bosphorus river. The whole journey took about 2 hrs. This is the relaxing curise while admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces and decadent villas where you'll see Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Ottoman summer mansions and Ortakoy mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorus Bridge, all alongside passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships and tankers to the opening of the Black Sea.Pic below : Ortakoy mosque
One of the most beautiful sights in the world , the Bosphorus , is a strait between the two continents - Europe & Asia. Bosphorus Bridge - one of the world's largest suspension bridges which is connecting Europe & Asia continents.
Pic below : this is a night pub for those rich and famous, also the focus of paparazzi.
Pic below : Defensive Rumeli Fortress - Historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.
Lunch at Tamara Restaurant - Menu : soup of the day, seasonal salad, chicken shisi serve with rice, fruit or dessert. The chicken shisi served in this restaurant is fantastic.
Turkish people prefer instant coffee, but they can also make real Turkish coffee. It’s very strong and sweet, they drink it from small cups.
Pic below : Defensive Rumeli Fortress - Historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.
Lunch at Tamara Restaurant - Menu : soup of the day, seasonal salad, chicken shisi serve with rice, fruit or dessert. The chicken shisi served in this restaurant is fantastic. 
Turkish people prefer instant coffee, but they can also make real Turkish coffee. It’s very strong and sweet, they drink it from small cups. Derived from the Arabic bean, Turkish coffee is a very fine, powder-like grind. An aromatic spice called cardamom is sometimes added to the coffee while it is being ground. One can also boil whole seeds with the coffee and let them float to the top when served. Turkish coffee has six levels of sweetness ranging from very sweet to black. Since sugar is not added to the coffee after it is served, spoons are not needed. As the coffee begins to heat, it begins to foam. A rule of the Turkish coffee ceremony dictates that if the foam is absent from the face of the coffee, the host loses face.
A warm atmosphere at the msot popular restuarant and night club in Istanbul. There are many entertainments await you, for instance belly dancing, typical folk dances and song from Anatolia. Turkish and International cuisine, while you are entertained by Turkish hospitality.
Dinner at Kervansaray Night club - Menu : 1 drink, Ordov'r Plate, pastry with cheese, hot asppetizers, seasonal salad, chicken shisi with garlicture and rice, Ice cream with fruit salad
A warm atmosphere at the msot popular restuarant and night club in Istanbul. There are many entertainments await you, for instance belly dancing, typical folk dances and song from Anatolia. Turkish and International cuisine, while you are entertained by Turkish hospitality.
Dinner at Kervansaray Night club - Menu : 1 drink, Ordov'r Plate, pastry with cheese, hot asppetizers, seasonal salad, chicken shisi with garlicture and rice, Ice cream with fruit saladPic below :chicken shisi with garlicture and rice.
He mesmerized the guests with their own respective country songs. Guess what? For us, he sang "Rasa Sayang" and asked us to sing with him. On top of that, he sang Japanense song, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spain, Indian, Poland etc.
She is the top belly dancer in Istanbul. Every guests are so amazed by her performance. Thumbs up!
From Istanbul, we flu to Athens, Greece.
He mesmerized the guests with their own respective country songs. Guess what? For us, he sang "Rasa Sayang" and asked us to sing with him. On top of that, he sang Japanense song, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spain, Indian, Poland etc.
She is the top belly dancer in Istanbul. Every guests are so amazed by her performance. Thumbs up!
From Istanbul, we flu to Athens, Greece.
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