Although, I have planned to go to Turkiye since 2018, Allah's plans is always better. Allah has appointed me to traved there in October 2023 by Singapore Airline. I paid a round trip-ticket at cost RM2436.
I arrived at the Istanbul Airport on October 16, 2023 at 8.40am as scheduled. Then, I rode a direct bus from the airport to Bursa Terminal bus. The journey took 2 hours and half. After that, I took a city bus to the city centre. In order to use public transport in Bursa, we must get a Bursacard. But, remembar, don't top up more because you won't be able to get back the balance if you stop using it. Bursacard is only valid in Bursa, It cannot be use in any other city. In Bursa, I stayed at Can Hotel. The cost is roughly RM51 per night. This is the cheapest hotel I got when I was there. Other hotel Rm100++.I stayed there a night. There are a lot of interesting places in the city centre within walking distance from each other such as Bursa Castle, Bursa Grand Bazaar, and Bursa Ulu Cami so, I walked most of the time during my stay. If you want, you have the option to take metro or a bus to get around the city. I only stayed two days, one night here.
Irgandi Bridge
Centre Bazar
Centre Bazar
Bursa Castle
Walnut
On October 17, I took a night bus to Selcuk. I prefer night bus because it can save accommodation cost. The bus ticket is ₺515. It's about RM103. The bus suppose to arrive at the bus station at 10pm but, it was running late. It arrived 10.40 pm. The bus not only go to Selcuk but also other cities. I forgot the name of cities. The bus has a lot of empty seats.
On October, 18, 2023 around five in the morning, I arrived at Selcuk Bus Station. It only a small bus station. There is no shop or bus station's staff work at that time. The atmosphere was very creepy. I waited there until Subuh prayer. When the time was coming, I prayed at the ancient mosque near bus station. After Subuh prayer, I took breakfast near bus station. The picture below is my breakfast. It cost was ₺95. It's about RM20.
Breakfast in Selcuk
Then, I walked to Vandar Pension Hotel. I was lucky when the owner hotel gave permission to checked in early. After I took a bath, I visited to Ayasuluk Castle and ST. John Monument. They are near city Selcuk. I just walked there. I bought a combo ticket there at cost ₺1250. It is about RM275. So, I can visit Ephesus Ancient City, Terrace Houses, and also Ephesus Archeological Museum. You can see the scenery there by clicking the link https://youtu.be/mNgLI3jQOuc and https://youtu.be/fZGQGa0WAvQ and https://youtu.be/m0MAU0uJPcc
Terrace house
Selcuk Castle
After I visited all the places, I returned to the hotel and prayed. Then, I strolled around the city centre. I met a friendly man. We talked and shared our stories. He invited me to eat at his restaurant. I said, I'm done. After had a talk for several minutes, He introduced his name is Sebastian. His parents are mix and I forgot from which countries. I was shocked. I was lucky because I was full. If I hungry, I may eat at his restaurant.
After I walked several steps, I met a friendly Turkish man. He was very nice. Actually, I was very afraid but, I didn't know how to refuse his invitation when he want to treat me a cup of tea. We talked and shared about our countries. Once I had completed my cup of tea, he invited me to see his shop. Now, I understood the Turkish tactic. He was very nice to me because he wanted me to purchase something from his shop.
In the next day (October, 19, 2023), I traveled to Denizli city via a morning train. It is cost ₺135. It's about RM29. It took 4 hours to completed the trip. To get to Pamukkale, I have to take a mini bus from Denizli city. I like the environment in Pamukkale because it isn't crowed. It is far away from Denizli city. So, we don't have problem with traffic jam and the bus driver is familiar with the hotels' area. He will drop off us close to our hotel. In Pamukkale, I stayed at Kale Hotel. It's close to Cotton Castle. I can see the Cotton Castle from my rooms' window. I'm able to walk there.
If you want to visit a lot of museums in Turkey, you can buy museum pass for 7 days or 15 days at cost ₺2200 (RM488) and ₺3500 (RM778). I bought the museum pass for 7 day but, I regret it because when you in Cappadocia, you cannot visit the museums by your own at least you rent a car because they are far apart. You have take a tour and the cost is include the entrance charge.
The cotton castle (travetines)
Hierapolis Theater
After prayed at the hotel, I went to Cotton Castle, The Ancient City of Hieropolis and also Pamukkale Antique Pool. The three places are close each other and you have to pay in one ticket. To get to The Ancient City of Hieropolis and also Pamukkale Antique Pool, you have to pass via the Cotton Castle first then, you will pass a lot of stalls before you get there. You can watch the scnery there by clicking the link https://youtu.be/pxd7qnreuwc & https://youtu.be/ZdDH99aGnLM
I finished my visiting at late evening. I ate chicken noodle and Chocolate milk shake in a restaurant near Kale Hotel when I was hungry. Its cost ₺350. To be honest, until this day, I never figure out the pricing in Ringgit Malaysia, I just ordered and ate. Today, I fell the price was high but, I didn't calculate at that time. I only calculated at the night and I was shocked the price is RM77. It cost a lot. Starting from that day, I made decision to calculate the change rate.
Chicken noodle and Chocolate milk shake
In the next day, at early morning, I waited for the tour guide to fetch me at the hotel to ride a hot balloon. The hotel staff helped me reserve the hot ballon. I would like to advice you, if you want to ride the hot ballon in Turkiye, don't ride it in Cappadocia because it is very expensive. It's cost RM3000++. If you ride in Pamukkale, It's only cost ₺1300. It's about RM265. At 7.00 am, he arrived at the hotel. He drove me to a flat land. There were a lot of hot balloons.
After finished riding the hot balloon, I returned to the hotel and took my luggage, and then, went to the bus station to take a bus to go to Fathiye. Actually, it was not in my plan. Fathiye wasn't on my list. It was a last minutes decision. I thought the journey from Pamukkale to Antalya takes 6-7 hours so, I planned to take a night bus and sleep on the bus. After I knew the journey to Antalya only take 3-4 hours, I have to take a day bus and stay in a hotel so, I decided to stay in Fathiye.
I took a morning bus to go to Fathiye. The bus ticket cost is ₺220 @ RM49. We stopped by at a restaurant for lunch. The picture below is my lunch. The cost is ₺190. It is about RM43. After the lunch, we continued our journey to Fathiye Bus Station. I arrived at the bus station at 2.30pm. Then, I took a tram to go to the city centre and then continued my journey to Ideal Pension Hotel by taxi.
Fathiye is a wonderful city. It is located close to the ocean. It is the ideal location to do water activities. You can see various design of ships here too. One of the best daily boat tour is the twelve islands daily boat tour. If you join this tour, they will pick up you from your accommodation and drive to Fathiye Harbour. It is include the cost you pay for them.
We can see Rock Tomb here too. It is located close to Fathiye Bus Station. You have to walk to go there because there is no public transport. Below are some of Rock Tombs photos'. To be honest, I had planed to visit the ruin of Kayakoy but I have to cancel because I won't have enough time. If you would like to came here, I advice you to stay at least for 2 days.
In the next day, I took a morning bus from Fathiye to Antalya. It is cost ₺200 @ RM46. I arrived at Antalya Bus Station in afternoon. When I arrived there, I purchased an Antalya Card so, I could use the local public transportation system. Every trip on public transportation costs is ₺15. Then, I rode the metro to get to the city centre. In Antalya, I stayed at Esen Hotel. It is close to the city centre. It is a wonderful place to stay. It has a large space and less expensive. As soon as I dropped my luggage at the hotel, I prayed. After that, I went out and boarded a bus to go to Sandland. Sandland is the main motive I chosen Antalya as my destination.
Sandland is situated close to Lara Beach. The sight of a sand sculpture thrilled me much. They have many unique designs like pyramid, Eiffel Towel, lion and so forth. The entrance fee is ₺300 @ RM68. You can see the scenery there by clicking the link https://youtu.be/-BUwAKDgU5A
In the next day, I was exploring around Antalya's Old Town (Kaleici). It is located in the heard of the city centre. I can simply walk to go there. It is a short distance from my hotel. There are a lot of attraction here for instance Hadrian's Gate, Antalya Marina, Yivliminare Mosque and The Roman Fortress.
The Yivli Minare
Hadrian's Gate
In the afternoon, I took a boat tour. It's cost ₺500 @ RM114.The boat started the journey from Antalya Marina to Lower Düden Waterfall. The journey took two hours. If you want to see the scenery there, you can click the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJIFLst4FZE
I took a night bus from Antalya to Gerome on October, 22. The bus ticket cost ₺569 (RM129.32). It was a ten-hour trip. I arrived in Gerome city Centre in the early morning. Cerome is one of cities in Cappadocia. It is a small city. It becomes an attractive sport for many nations. Tourists like to visit here because of the unique rock. Since, this is an international location, there are a lot of people can speak English. So, you will not face with communication barrier.
I walked toward my hotel, Happydocia Hotel. It just a short distance from the bus station. When I arrived at the hotel, I placed my luggage there then, I walked back to the city centre looking for something to have a fun. My steps was stopping when I looked at a tourism company. I entered into the company and asked about tours in Cappadocia. After had several conversation, I decided to join Green tour for that day. The green tour covers Gerome Panorama, Underground City, Selime Monastery, Ihlara Valley, Pigeon Valley and Belisirma Lunch. The tour started at 9.30am and ended at 5.30pm. The tour costs ₺1800 @ RM409. The cost includes hotel pick up, hotel drop back, lunch, guiding service, transportation and museum tickets. After finished the tour, they drop me at Happydocia Hotel. I took a rest and went out back after Maghrib prayer to the city centre. The pictures' below are scenery during the Green Tour.
Lunch during Green Tour
Lunch at Belisirma
The city is not very busy at night because it is just a small city. We can walk around there without fear. It has a lot of stores, restaurants and travel agencies. There are a lot of vendors try to attract customers. I surveyed to several travel agencies and asked for the cost of blue tour. It was quite expensive. Thus, I decided to join red tour. In Cappadocia, if you do not rent a car or motorcycle, you have to join a tour because the tourist sports are spread out. After I found the best cost for the red tour, I booked and paid the trip for tomorrow. The cost for Red Tour is ₺1500 @ RM341.
At 9.30 am, on October 24, a driver come to pick me up from my hotel. After he gathered up all the customers, we visited to Gerome Open Air Museum, Devrent Valley, Love Valley, Avanos Demostration, Pasabag and Uchisar Castle. During lunch, we ate at a restaurant and I forgot the name of the restaurant. They serve their meal in buffet. Pictures' below are scenery during the Red Tour. You can watch the scenery in Cappadocia by clicking the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngcR8GDo-vg&t=4s . They also took us to pottery-making location. One of us was requested to create ceramic. You can watch a demonstration how to make pottery by clicking the link https://youtu.be/hQ4cziYeGRk
Pasabag
Uchisar Castle
Lunch during red tour
Lunch during red tour
The Red Tour finished around 5.30pm. Then, I asked the driver drop off me at Gerome Bus Station. I got off from the van and walked toward a mosque nearby and waiting for Maghrib prayer time. After prayed Maghrib and Insya, I walked to the bus station and waited for the night bus to Istanbul. While waiting at the bus station, I had conversation with a woman who from California. She came to Turkiye with her husband. We share our experience in Turkey and also talked about our country too. She invited me to visit California and I replied that, I hadn't make up my mind yet because it is far away from Malaysia. It is America Continent. I would like to visit Europe first. Since, she wanted to visit to Antalya so, I gave her my Antalya card because I will not use it anymore. The card is only can be use there.
The bus ticket to Istanbul cost is ₺900 @ RM205. The bus arrived at the bus station at 10 pm. The journey to Istanbul took 10 hours. At 8 pm, I arrived at the main bus terminal (Esenler Otogar). I stored my luggage at a luggage store and had breakfast at a cafe. After finished my breakfast, I took a tram to go to Sultanahmed.
Sultanahmed is a well-known tourist destination in Istanbul because it has a lot of tourist attractions which include Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Süleymaniye Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene, Hippodrome, Little Aya Sophia, and Gulhane Park. These places are very crowded. In order to enter to these places, I had to line up. In that day, I spent my time in Sultanahmed and Eminönü. I had no intension of checking into a hotel during that day because I intended to took a night bus to go to Sofia, Bulgaria.
Blue Mosque
Hippodrome
Hagia Sophia
The problem I got before travelling to Bulgaria was, I cannot find any money changers in KLIA which has Bulgaria currency (Liv). I encountered the similar issue in Istanbul as well. The only money changer had Bulgaria currency is at Esenler Bus station . I don't know why maybe, Malaysian and Turkish don't like to travel there.
I rode a tram to Esenler Bus Station in the late evening. Even though my bus to Sofia was at 11pm but, I got there early for my safety as a woman. I wandered around there while waited for the bus. The bus came early then, I boarded it. There were a lot of seat vacancies. In the bus, I can't recognise Turkish and Bulgarian face. Their face quite same. In order to stamp my passport in both Kapikule immigration (turkey) and also Kapitan Andreevo (Bulgaria), I had to find someone whose face I could remember. I was lucky when I found a family of Korean. To prevent getting lost from other passengers, I followed them after getting off the bus at the two immigration offices. The Immigration officials not only stamped our passport but, also checked our luggage. The procedures processed quickly without any problems. As Malaysian, a visa is not required.
We went on our way and had supper at a Muslim restaurant. I skipped the supper because I was tired. After supper, we continued our journey to Sofia Bus Station. We arrived at the bus station on October 26 around 6.30 am.
I walked toward my hotel, Elegance Hostel. I was lucky because the owner allowed me to checked in early. After having a bath and breakfast then, I went out to explore the city centre. I visited St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. George Rotunda, Central Mineral Baths, Banya Bashi Mosque, National Palace of
Culture, The Largo, Sofia’s Central Market Hall, Sveta Nedelya Church, and Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker.
National Palace of Culture
Central Mineral Baths
Sveta Nedelya Church
St. George Rotunda
The Largo
Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker
Even though, Sofia is a capital of Bulgaria but it is not as busy and crowded as other cities. There is no traffic jam too. I like the atmosphere here . I was not shopping here because I not attracted with anything and I had no mood to buy anything.
Even though, Bulgaria is not a Islamic country but there are some Muslims living here. I found two mosques located in the city centre. I also found a Muslim woman sells Turkish delight like baklava and lokum. I believe she is Turkish Muslim. Meanwhile, their currency is less expensive than Australia's Dollar. People claim that Bulgaria is a less expensive country in Europe; perhaps this is true, but I've never looked it up.
I was just here for two days and one night. On October 27, I boarded a night bus, to return to Istanbul. The bus ticket was 60 levi. When I got to Esenler Bus Station at 6 am and I went to a mosque nearby to pray and after that, I rode the tram to Magnificent Hotel. The hotel situated in Sultanahmed. It is near the attractions spot. However, I have to go through narrow alleys to arrive at the hotel. When I arrived at the hotel, I was not lucky because the staff hotel not allowed me to check in early. So, I left my luggage at the hotel and then headed to Spice Bazaar. The bazaar is very big. When I entered to a door, I cannot exit from the same door because I cannot find it. I have to exit by another door. There were a lot of people here, very crowded. Everything is expensive but, my friend asked me to get Turkish delight. After looking at the goods here, I went to Grand Bazar. The Grand Bazar larger than Spice Bazar. Even though, many people claim on their blogs or websites, Grand Bazar is expensive than Spice Bazar and we should avoid shopping there but, I found, if you are great at haggling, the price there is cheaper than Spice Bazar.
I headed to my hotel when it was time to check in. I took a bath and prayed. After took a rest for a while, I went out near my hotel. I walked toward the ocean. Actually, my hotel is close to the ocean. I think it calls the Bosporus. The Bosporus Strait divides Turkey between Europe and Asia. There are a lot of ships there. When you come here, you can join a Bosporus cruise wheather in a day time or at night. I didn't join it because I was not interested.
After seeing the scenery by the strait, I walked toward my hotel while looking at the stalls around. Finally, I found The little Aya Sofya. It situated close to my hotel. It is difficult to find it because it is situated at small alley, not at a big road.
Little Aya Sofya
In the next day, October 29, I rode a tram, went to İstiklal Caddesi and Taksim Square. Pedestrianised İstiklal Caddesi is a bustling modern shopping street with a lot of restaurants and cafes. Meanwhile, Taksim Square is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul because it is packed with hotels, restaurant and exquisite shops. After that, I walked toward Galata Towel. You can walk or catch a tram from Taksim Square. On the top of balcony , you can see a view of Istanbul city.
Galata Towel
I didn't feel to go far after wandering around Galata Tower so, I returned to Sultanahmed. I went to Arasta Bazaar and Sultanahmed's shops. Nothing drew my attention because everything is pricey due to the depreciation of our currency. I only purchase food to eat.
October 30 was the last day I in Turkeye. I woke up early and checked out at 7 am and walked toward tram station to go to the airport. My flight was scheduled for 1:35 pm, and I got there early. After checking in my luggage, I waited in the waiting room and had a conversation with an Indonesian. We share our experiences in Turkiye. She said, she only went out with her Turkish friend. She didn't go out by herself.
We departed Turkeye and landed in Singapore at 4.45 am as scheduled. After our transit, I boarded another plane to return to Kuala Lumpur at 7.10 am while, she boarded another plane to return to Bali. Alhamdulillah, I arrived at KLIA at 8.10 am. It was a nice journey and I returned safely.
Based on my travels, I've come to the following conclusions about Turkiye:
- Everything is expensive include the cost of using the restroom. I have to pay about RM1.50 even though it's a mosque restroom. For certain mosque, a place to take ablution is inside the restroom so, we have to pay for it
- I don't mind if each regional in Turkey has its own card to use the public transportation system, but when customers stop using it, I hope they can return the balance like other countries.
- I got into a quarrel with the cab driver and left my umbrella inside his car. He was cheated on me.Then, I tried to buy a new umbrella but, there is no shop in Turkiye sell an umbrella except during rainy season.
- For me, the way of the ice cream seller joked was a bit exaggerated
- I bought a museum pass for 7 days but I cannot use it on the last day
- It's a sensitive issue but as a muslim I cannot accept Turkish people give high respect to Mustafa Kamal Attartuk. How could they give high respect to a person who has destroyed Khalifah Islamiyah.
- Even though, I was cheated by a seller and a driver but, Turkish people like to help me
- There are a lot of ancient mosques all around Turkey but, I hope, the government would build restrooms and a place to take ablution near the mosques while maintaining the heritage
- Turkish people like smoking, man and woman
- When a foreigner uses Google Translate as a communication tool because of you don't know English, you have to respond using Google Translate as well. Avoid responding in your native tongue and don't insult the foreigner when he doesn't understand your language. When I was in Vietnam, Vietnamese people are very helpful. When they are unable to speak English, they enjoy using Google Translate and enjoy communicate with me.
- During economic crisis in 2018, Turkey requested all Muslims in the world help them by purchasing their money. In reality, many companies prefer tourists pay in euros rather than their local currencies. I'm really disappointed with them. How could they prefer t4rror!st currency over their currency.
- If you wish to withdraw money from ATM machine, I recommend Ziraat Bank because they give a reasonable exchange rate.
- I advise you to download kiblat apps. Even though they are Muslim but, you know .........
