Constantinnople Calling

Aya Sofia Sr & Aya Sofia Jr

Dear Ladies & Gentlemen, and readers in General, this time I have a tale or two from the Orient!

Or at least Near-Orient, or whatever Constantinople could be called. Actually, if one is to look at the situation from the Finnish perspective, she lies due south from Helsinki, so mayhaps this chapter should be called "Adventures Meridies".

Anyway, Constantinople had been on the "to do" list of yours truly for quite some time. Frankly, as an arhitecture "buff", the city of Hagia Sofia held a special place in one's imagination. But wait, there is more:

View of the Blue Mosque from our rooftop terrace

Once I found out about affordable direct travel deals between here and there, I decided to act upon a good offer. Our dear mother, Mrs. Paddle-Worth, was also very keen to visit the city of the last Roman Empire and what-not. So I dispatched Jeeves to book a journey.

An impression of the interior of the Blue Mosque

Wensworth and Lady M also joined us this time 'round. Our hotels were in the olde centre of the city, in Sultanahmet neighborhood, right between/under the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofia.

The womenfolk properly dressed for the Yeni Cami mosque

The area is very cute, small-scale, touristy, but close to the "Grand Tour" sights. Every hotel and/or restaurant appears to have a roof-top terrace for the grand views of the Golden Horn, Galata and Asia. It is rather pleasant to enjoy the breakfast on an penthouse terrace, looking out to the maritime thoroughfere and distant(ish) shores. And may I take an opportunity to "shout out" compliments to the 'Ocean Seven' hotel for their facilities, service, and price? Well worth the price, my friends.

The menfolk enjoying some apple/mint water pipe

What can I say about the City itself? My first impressions were much in the vein of Trastevere in Rome: very nice & lively, nice scale, a bit rundown, enjoyable, great but not 'super-grand'.

If you know what I mean? I have to admit I am biased towards Rome as my favourite city; Constantinople is close, but just slightly to the "other side of the river", or somewhat like Trastevere. There is some great urban/historic architecture and athmosphere, but it is not quite on par with the other side of the river.

A small mosque nestled next to the Bozdogan-Valens aqueduct;
the Galata hill seen through said aqueduct

Nevertheless, what we saw so far, was very good, and the promise/glimpse of the unseen (wait does that make sense) portions of this 12M strong megalopolis warrants another trip sometime in the future. In short, I liked what I saw, and I would like to see more some other time (Taksim/Galata, Asian side, etc). But for now, I must bid adieu!

The very impressive underground water cistern
next to the Aya Sofia. Cool and moist.

Until we meet again!
Paddlewick, Society