Sunday, October 30, 2022

Istanbul Turkey - To Do 27Oct22 (Balat, Turksih Coffee at Anadolu Nargile near grand bazaar)

Istanbul - To Stay
Istanbul - To Do
Istanbul - To Eat

Istanbul - To Do
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 ABBATips:
- Getting into town is relatively easy, but getting out was near impossible. Uber wasn't having any of the jams and we had to quickly find out how to travel back via public. (Some drivers even bargain on a price before accepting the pickup especially when heavy jam into tourist locations. These range from what would have cost TL50 - to TL200/300 or more.)
- Uber Vs flagged down taxi. There are many scams involving taxi charges. Even with taxis, they often negotiate for flat rates. Uber riders do that too. Always go by the running meter and if you have to by pay cash in taxi, make sure of the change you give as there have been instances of switch-a-roos. You had a 50TL but they claim is a 5TL. Vice-versa for returned change.
*View from the train crossing the Galata Koprusu bridge back*
- Public transport is your best bet from crowded city centers. The system is a stored value card and can be used by multiple pax. i.e one person taps for all to go through and it was priced at 8TL per ride. Whenever exit and entry of another mode is another 8TL for that ride segment. Similar to public system in Barcelona. E.g. We took tram, metro and a station change = 8TLx3. 
 
Istanbul - Area of Balat
(approximately 4.1km from the Grand Bazaar)
Balat can be summarized: An artsy, Euro/Greek, Instagrammable haven. Locally speaking, think Haji Lane Singapore mashup with Peranakan colored house Singapore with a little Euro flare. Its a little aways from the main cluster of attractions in Istanbul but this area is well worth it!

ABBATip:
- Start from Yildirim Caddesi street and work your round circuit towards Vodina Caddesi, followed by the anchor point attractions. This seemed to the common entry point as soon after many other tour groups started to appear.


Below are some of the key anchor attractions people go to and enjoy everything in-between. There are tons of photography options, little cafes with cats and more.
Some anchor point attractions are mainly in a loop with some uphill walking.


Thou it was labeled specifically as such but it wasn't unique to that specific location. Most of the architecture along the way were beautifully colored and each had their unique look and feel. Very much like actual movie sets and moving from location to location.
*Asian Squat as I was told. Updated version from
Battery Point Lookout of SFO bridge, 06April2016.*


Just for the experience of it all. Its reminiscent of SFO's castro rainbow crossing.
*These weren't the actual colored steps but we better get a shot if we couldn't find it. It was just down this very very steep slope.*


Turkish Coffee at Anadolu
Nargile Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi

Click here for ABBA location Anadolu Nargile Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi
So while researching for good, authentic Turkish coffee, this place was eventually shortlisted for its close proximity to the grand bazaar as well as the overall 'authentic atmosphere with Shisha smoke filling the air whilst in Istanbul.
Ordered On
29Oct22
*Approx 20TL/pax*
*This picture paints a thousand words.*
Come for the atmosphere, try one traditional coffee at least (probably not to our pallets) but order the tea. Perhaps there are better locations for great Turkish coffee, but the sediments, flavors were a total miss for our pallets.
 
Ending the rest of the day trip with
Grand Bazzar
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Turkey Istanbul - To Eat 26Oct22 (Etiler Kebapçı, Etiler Sarıhan Gusto)

Istanbul - To Stay
Istanbul - To Do
Istanbul - To Eat

Istanbul - To Eat
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Etiler Kebapçı
 (Leisurely spotted by Chloe and an excellent
dining experience and traditional Turkish spread)
Click here for the Full menu at Etiler Kebapçı
Kebapçı is another restaurant started by the Bae Family and is run by one of the four brothers and their sibling resemblance is strong. The famous Nusr-Et Steakhouse Etiler is located 240m further down the road. Mr Salt Bae himself maybe there but would probably only come out for the gold steak. Previous day visitors managed a shot with him.
Click here for the Full menu at Etiler Kebapçı
ABBAtips:
- Take shuttle bus to Akmerkez mall . (affordable stuff. Has supermarket 2nd floor and money changer at the basement level) /train station so you can have a leisurely walk down hill back to hotel. Those interested to go to Zorlu AVM it has more up class shopping.

- Insta famous meals at Salt Bae's restaurant Nusr-Et Steakhouse Etiler (18min walk back to hotel down-slope) is the most-value place to try in the world. Did not try personally but previous visitors paid about 100sgd/pax.
*The oldest brother*
*The Bae gene is strong*
Ordered On:
26Oct22


Gavurdağ Salad ₺155.00 Tomato, onion, pepper, parsley, walnut salad with olive oil and pomegranate syrup
*Really nice tang and an easy salad combination which I'd add to my salad list. Now just to get that pomergrate syrup and we're golden! Refreshing and light!*
Başpınar Lahmacun
*The warm appetizer was a home run and enjoyed by everyone! Eat with your hand, the fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon and absolutely delicious. A must order.*
KEBAPÇI Tava
₺355.00Small pieces of marinated lamb shish, roasted shallots, garlic, red and green pepper, aubergine and tomatoesOven Baked Beyti with Sauce ₺320.00 Beyti Kebab, roasted tomatoes, pepper, kashar cheese and Antep pistachio, served with Iskender sauce*The cooling yogurt cuts right through the heaviness.*
Kadayıf with Pistachio ₺135.00

*They're very well versed with all the showmanship and all seasoned veterans to filming and recording for social media.*
*Hot sweet desert with cold creamy ice-cream. What better combination. The dessert comes served with tea after.*
Food 4/5
*Kebab platter was excellent and not pictured. They could reduce the spice for our non-chili eaters but even with the 'spicy ones' they were balanced very well and enjoyed by non-chili eaters.
Service 4/5
*Very social media versed and provided filming opportunities and was very accommodating to talk about the food, share how to eat it and truly enjoy the turkish experience!*
Value 4.5/5
*It could be at the time of the stronger exchange rate, but with the just right amount of  food orders and opened bottles of water which was forth coming the bill came up as a pleasant surprise after.*
Ambience 4/5
*The open skylight  and slightly elevated view was pleasant.*
 Total Fed 6 at SGD32each after conversion at the time.
*Ending the meal with sunset on the roof top
on the top floor back at the hotel.*
Highly, highly recommended. I've heard/read much of Nusr-Et Steakhouse and leave it to the individual for their take on it (Have yet to try). However, if you're looking for the Turkish experience and exploration through their foods, showmanship and entertainment at great value, consider giving Etiler Kebapçı a try! The stretch offers loads of other dining options.
NOTE: Try to order from their menu (At least can track what the charges are). I trust they are just being very  friendly and forthcoming and wanting all to have enough to eat. They want to ensure everyone gets the full experience, but some of the orders they trippled up so that each one had a serve, even though we explicitly ordered single portions for a sampling. However it all turned out well at a value price of TL420/SG32/pax. 
 
Etiler Sarıhan Gusto
Visited out of convenience and fatigue. This was located just outside of the nearest metro station and offered a much needed rest spot before heading back.
Ordered On:
27Oct22
*The dumplings with cold yogurt and warm tomato sauce would be labeled as interesting. The chicken kebabs were surprisingly very juicy and delicious. Tasted excellent.*
*Taste like it looks. No surprises here :D. There was a sprinkling of other eats but didn't record them individually. *
Food 3/5
*Still good food. Perhaps many of the orders we weren't used to the combination and probably a mix of fatigue and jet lagged. Nice but not as great as Kebapçı reviewed above.*
Value 4/5
Service 4/5
*They were serving everyone individually even though portion sizes were small. Accommodating and assisted as much as they could*
Ambience 3.5/5
*Low hanging lights and the area was fairly dimly lit*

Fed 7 225TL/Pax aprox 17SGD
A nice place of convenience that was near to the train station and to finish a full day out (click here to see the full day itinerary) with a meal together at value pricing. Walk back to the hotel was all down hill and leisurely.
Click here for ABBA location of Etiler Sarıhan Gusto 

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Saturday, October 22, 2022

20Oct22 Sydney - To Do (Powerhouse Museum, Pyrmont Bay to Circular Quay Ferry Loop service)

Sydney - To Stay
 Sydney - To Do
Sydney - To Eat
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Powerhouse Museum
Click here for ABBA location of Power House 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
The powerhouse museum is a free to enter science museum. Although categorized as such, their pottery collection and some installation artworks did lean towards the arts and gave the place a nice mix of things to interact, see and enjoy. Good solid 2hrs of entertainment to enjoy the space and displays.
*These pieces seems to reminisce the works of Gaudi in Barcelona.*
Free Wifi is available within the grounds and worth a pop by after Paddy's Market or en-route towards Pyrmont Bay for a ferry ride. 

Darling Harbour (Pyrmont Bay)
to Circular Quay Ferry Loop service (20mins one way)


Click here for ABBA location of Pymont Bay
Amazing views of major attractions like the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbor bridge, Luna park and more that makes up Sydney's iconic skyline. The loop service takes 20mins from point to point and charges AUD7-6 for the service if exiting the terminal. Highly recommended in either direction and any time of the day. 

*Lucky to spot massive Cruise Ships shipping out*
Note that in the evenings, the Sydney Opera House has projections that light up every single evening from 6pm-11pm. These timing seem to be inconsistent and vary daily.
We had had dinner at Hurricane's, probably the best Beef ribs so far and look out for their lamb Ribs. Click here for full review.
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