Visiting Exciting Turkey in the Throes of Restoration
Nov 18th, 2014, 07:50 PM
#81
mjs, no significant incidents or processes leading to possible incidents at this time.
CVK Bosphorus is an architect's nightmare says DW who is a member of their fitness facilities, but has excellent views from decent rooms and happy staff. (We live only about 300 meters away from the hotel)
I do not know which hotel you're considering at Nisantasi. Nisantasi will give you more quality dining, bar and caffe alternatives but without the terrific views of CVK.
CVK Bosphorus is an architect's nightmare says DW who is a member of their fitness facilities, but has excellent views from decent rooms and happy staff. (We live only about 300 meters away from the hotel)
I do not know which hotel you're considering at Nisantasi. Nisantasi will give you more quality dining, bar and caffe alternatives but without the terrific views of CVK.
Nov 19th, 2014, 12:38 AM
#83
Have never been inside House hotel, Nisantasi.
It is a lovely and lively location, the most IN spot for Winter in istanbul.
Knowing a little of both hotels, I suspect that you will find it aesthetically more pleasing than CVK which is owned by a mining concern and managed by the owners.
The personal touch about that location is that our family gynecologist is just a few doors down from the House Hotel
And we have free parking privileges for both our cars at a garage on that street owned by the National Reinsurance Company because my connection to the company still continues although I stopped working there in 1980. (I love these traditional companies which appreciate loyalty)
It is a lovely and lively location, the most IN spot for Winter in istanbul.
Knowing a little of both hotels, I suspect that you will find it aesthetically more pleasing than CVK which is owned by a mining concern and managed by the owners.
The personal touch about that location is that our family gynecologist is just a few doors down from the House Hotel
And we have free parking privileges for both our cars at a garage on that street owned by the National Reinsurance Company because my connection to the company still continues although I stopped working there in 1980. (I love these traditional companies which appreciate loyalty)
Nov 21st, 2014, 09:37 AM
#84
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Thank you. Any thoughts about 4 full days vs 5 full days to explore Istanbul? Can leave Istanbul in .the early morning 0710 for flight out or leave at 6pm which would give us almost an extra day in Istanbul.
Nov 21st, 2014, 11:43 AM
#85
mjs, here are quite a few threads as well as questions and answers on how to spend doing hat for how many days in Istanbul.
Those will give you a better idea than anything i can say since I have no idea what your interests are. There is also the fact that you may be intrigued by something you read and find out that you have new interests.
Do not forget that you have short daylight hours now and in December and that traffic can get very bad in the Winter. This means that an extra day would come in handy.
For the 6PM flight, you should be at the airport about 14:30 whch is a good time in terms of traffic congestion and will beat waking up at 3:30 AM to make the 7 AM flight.
Those will give you a better idea than anything i can say since I have no idea what your interests are. There is also the fact that you may be intrigued by something you read and find out that you have new interests.
Do not forget that you have short daylight hours now and in December and that traffic can get very bad in the Winter. This means that an extra day would come in handy.
For the 6PM flight, you should be at the airport about 14:30 whch is a good time in terms of traffic congestion and will beat waking up at 3:30 AM to make the 7 AM flight.
Nov 21st, 2014, 10:11 PM
#86
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Thanks for the reply. I understand that everyone has different interests but each destination in my opinion has several "basic" tourist experiences that most people would like to explore on their first and perhaps only visit. Obviously more time is almost always better but I think that most of us can guess as to about how much time it would take to get through the basics of each destination =/- a day or two. I was just trying to get a sense of time. Since this is my first visit to Istanbul I think we will take the 6:50 flight out in the evening as I have no interest in getting up at 0330 on any day.
Are you suggesting that one has to be at the airport 3 1/2 hours before departure? Perhaps instead you are saying to give ourselves an hour and a half to get to the airport so that we will be at the airport 2 hours before departure. I appreciate your advice.
Are you suggesting that one has to be at the airport 3 1/2 hours before departure? Perhaps instead you are saying to give ourselves an hour and a half to get to the airport so that we will be at the airport 2 hours before departure. I appreciate your advice.
Nov 22nd, 2014, 05:16 AM
#87
You need to be at the airport about 2 1/2 hours before international flights due to multiple security checks and possible queues.
leave 6o minutes for afternoon, 35 minutes early morning and 90-100 minutes rush hours traffic to get to IST airport.
For SAW airport, add about 15-20 minutes to each of the above.
All above times include a reasonable safety factor.
leave 6o minutes for afternoon, 35 minutes early morning and 90-100 minutes rush hours traffic to get to IST airport.
For SAW airport, add about 15-20 minutes to each of the above.
All above times include a reasonable safety factor.
Nov 23rd, 2014, 12:52 AM
#88
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Thank you again. Have read much of your postings and it makes for a good education. Made airline reservations to IST this upcoming weekend and departure on the 4th. Traveling with my daughter. Would love to meet up for a meal or drinks if you are available.
Nov 23rd, 2014, 03:14 AM
#89
Our younger daughter, in from Chicago, and we will be in Germany and Czech republic 24th-29th. Daughter will be flying back on the Second, so we can hopefully meet on the second or third. Makes sense to meet in the evening after you have done your sightseeing. Will consult my wife.
I think it will be a good idea to meet and will take our minds off her departure again. It is always difficult although this her third visit in past 12 months and we were there last August.
I have a second e-mail related to my book and will check that for information and preferences from you : [email protected]
Have a good flight in.
I think it will be a good idea to meet and will take our minds off her departure again. It is always difficult although this her third visit in past 12 months and we were there last August.
I have a second e-mail related to my book and will check that for information and preferences from you : [email protected]
Have a good flight in.
Nov 28th, 2014, 11:59 AM
#91
I am still away and have managed to stay away from any depressing news of what's happening politically in Turkey.
From what little I have gleamed, the Southeast and East should still be out of bounds for travelers.
The more secular, modern, liberal and now disenfranchised part of the public are either waiting for a sign or for the Islamists in power to destroy each other before they decide to do anything positive.
Weather warmer again in istanbul but rains starting this Sunday will continue long enough to be a bother.
My trip report, starting before getting to Alexandroupoli and then Leipzig, Prague, Dresden, Halle is at :
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...he-younger.cfm
From what little I have gleamed, the Southeast and East should still be out of bounds for travelers.
The more secular, modern, liberal and now disenfranchised part of the public are either waiting for a sign or for the Islamists in power to destroy each other before they decide to do anything positive.
Weather warmer again in istanbul but rains starting this Sunday will continue long enough to be a bother.
My trip report, starting before getting to Alexandroupoli and then Leipzig, Prague, Dresden, Halle is at :
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...he-younger.cfm
Nov 30th, 2014, 06:57 AM
#92
Two videos from the important meeting of the Pope and the Greek Orthodox patriarch in Istanbul.
The holiday of Saint Andreas :
http://webtv.hurriyet.com.tr/haber/p...katildi_100394
The historic meeting:
http://webtv.hurriyet.com.tr/haber/i...-uzlasi_100393
The holiday of Saint Andreas :
http://webtv.hurriyet.com.tr/haber/p...katildi_100394
The historic meeting:
http://webtv.hurriyet.com.tr/haber/i...-uzlasi_100393
Dec 14th, 2014, 08:16 AM
#94
Two days ago a clandestine information source tweeted that there would be a major police operation against a large media and business group owned by Fethullah Gulen sect, the former partner of the ruling party.
This media group was the one which had falsely accused hundreds of high ranking military officers, some police chiefs and writers and reporters between 2008 and 2011, causing deaths and suicides of possibly innocent people under arrest or suspicion. The victims of those cases are now mostly free because the government felt that the sect had become too powerful and was competing with the government itself in 2013.
At that time FG group prosecutors and police came up with strong evidence, wiretaps and photographs of four government ministers and the primeminister and their families involved in major graft and embezzlement amounting to hundreds of millionas of Dollars.
Since then thousands of police, judges and public prosecutors have been replaced or exiled because of suspected connections to the FG sect, laws changed to allow the placement of pro-government educational, security, military and judicial personnel at all levels of the government bureaucracy, and a big PR campaign began against the FG group.
Today, 31 people were arrested in a major operation against Zaman newspaper and Samanyoulu TV including the writer and director of a TV series.
It is expected that more people will be arrested soon. The FG group is still strong and we may expect a great deal of local, national and international flack, and even some reflection on the economy.
The Turkish Lira which had gained some ground last month but had started losing last week will probably lose some more in view of the new police state activities as well as the new laws which give full judicial and police control to the ruling party.
Except for unclear effects on prices, I do not expect any adverse effects on tourism in the immediate future.
The national elections in June will be a significant road marker to watch for. One month before to two weeks after the elections is usually a critical period in terms of demonstrations, protests, etc.
Weather is rather warm but quite wet.
This media group was the one which had falsely accused hundreds of high ranking military officers, some police chiefs and writers and reporters between 2008 and 2011, causing deaths and suicides of possibly innocent people under arrest or suspicion. The victims of those cases are now mostly free because the government felt that the sect had become too powerful and was competing with the government itself in 2013.
At that time FG group prosecutors and police came up with strong evidence, wiretaps and photographs of four government ministers and the primeminister and their families involved in major graft and embezzlement amounting to hundreds of millionas of Dollars.
Since then thousands of police, judges and public prosecutors have been replaced or exiled because of suspected connections to the FG sect, laws changed to allow the placement of pro-government educational, security, military and judicial personnel at all levels of the government bureaucracy, and a big PR campaign began against the FG group.
Today, 31 people were arrested in a major operation against Zaman newspaper and Samanyoulu TV including the writer and director of a TV series.
It is expected that more people will be arrested soon. The FG group is still strong and we may expect a great deal of local, national and international flack, and even some reflection on the economy.
The Turkish Lira which had gained some ground last month but had started losing last week will probably lose some more in view of the new police state activities as well as the new laws which give full judicial and police control to the ruling party.
Except for unclear effects on prices, I do not expect any adverse effects on tourism in the immediate future.
The national elections in June will be a significant road marker to watch for. One month before to two weeks after the elections is usually a critical period in terms of demonstrations, protests, etc.
Weather is rather warm but quite wet.
Dec 14th, 2014, 10:34 PM
#95
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Just a brief comment that we enjoyed our brief visit to Istanbul. Not too warm but definitely wet.
A grand thank you to Ahmet and his wife for their kind hospitality. Certainly made our trip much more interesting to have an intelligent local perspective.
A grand thank you to Ahmet and his wife for their kind hospitality. Certainly made our trip much more interesting to have an intelligent local perspective.
Jan 14th, 2015, 07:31 AM
#97
We have had some ups and downs in terms of the weather, a Christmas resembling Spring and a white NYE. Currently some storms in Southern Turkey, heavy rains and flooding also; enough snow at the mountain resorts and more than enough on some mountain roads and passes.
Politically, the ruling party continues to use a great deal of rhetoric and confusion but shows cracking both internally and on the shell.
Human rights, women's rights, children's rights, LGBT rights suffer more and more as Islamic references are used more by the government.
The national daily "Cumhuriyet" which published translation of four pages of "Charlie Hebdo" today was harassed not only by groups of fundamentalists but also by the police which delayed it trucks making the delivery of the paper by fourty minutes and insisted on searching them without court order to check if the cartoons picturing the prophet Mohammed were also depicted. (The Turkish Prime Minister recently said that Turkey had more press freedom than many Western countries.)
Unfortunately the government, the ruling party and their supporting media are working hard to provoke hatred for "foreign powers."
As far as I can tell, this has not caused any change in the hospitality of the Turkish people for travelers, but foreign soldiers, journalists and government representatives may not be welcomed with open arms at locations outside the touristic comfort zones.
No Islamist or other types of groups have been active against touristic targets or foreign companies and missions. Turkish government still seems to have an undeclared secret truce with both Al-Kaeda and IS which is holding and no threats are being made in either direction.
The two million or more Syrian refugees in the country are a major emotional, if not financial problem. They are suffering from all lacks: education, food, shelter, clothing, housing, goodwill, compassion, empathy.
Istanbul has been receiving a great deal more Middle Eastern and North African tourists than before. Almost all women you see covered up all in black will be visitors. Local black covers tend to congregate at Fatih-Carsamba areas and the Syrian refugees are usually more liberal. The Turkish Islamists usually wear the fashionable "Turban which is a colorfull scarf tight under the chin and at neck over a skull cap and a plastic contraption resembling a pony tail on top. They may wear anything from tight jeans and jackets to long shapeless raincoats and platform shoes, babettes or sneakers to stilettoes.
If you take me up on the recommended longer visit procedure of driving locally in Cappadocia and regionally on the Black Sea, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, please take some presents to kids. Candy, chewing gum, hair bands, dinky toys, coloring books and crayons, etc. which you can find at stores in all towns and dry cat and dog food available at the larger supermarkets.
Turkey is one of the easiest countries to strike up a friendship with adults, children and animals in rural areas and these little presents can act as the ice breaker.
Politically, the ruling party continues to use a great deal of rhetoric and confusion but shows cracking both internally and on the shell.
Human rights, women's rights, children's rights, LGBT rights suffer more and more as Islamic references are used more by the government.
The national daily "Cumhuriyet" which published translation of four pages of "Charlie Hebdo" today was harassed not only by groups of fundamentalists but also by the police which delayed it trucks making the delivery of the paper by fourty minutes and insisted on searching them without court order to check if the cartoons picturing the prophet Mohammed were also depicted. (The Turkish Prime Minister recently said that Turkey had more press freedom than many Western countries.)
Unfortunately the government, the ruling party and their supporting media are working hard to provoke hatred for "foreign powers."
As far as I can tell, this has not caused any change in the hospitality of the Turkish people for travelers, but foreign soldiers, journalists and government representatives may not be welcomed with open arms at locations outside the touristic comfort zones.
No Islamist or other types of groups have been active against touristic targets or foreign companies and missions. Turkish government still seems to have an undeclared secret truce with both Al-Kaeda and IS which is holding and no threats are being made in either direction.
The two million or more Syrian refugees in the country are a major emotional, if not financial problem. They are suffering from all lacks: education, food, shelter, clothing, housing, goodwill, compassion, empathy.
Istanbul has been receiving a great deal more Middle Eastern and North African tourists than before. Almost all women you see covered up all in black will be visitors. Local black covers tend to congregate at Fatih-Carsamba areas and the Syrian refugees are usually more liberal. The Turkish Islamists usually wear the fashionable "Turban which is a colorfull scarf tight under the chin and at neck over a skull cap and a plastic contraption resembling a pony tail on top. They may wear anything from tight jeans and jackets to long shapeless raincoats and platform shoes, babettes or sneakers to stilettoes.
If you take me up on the recommended longer visit procedure of driving locally in Cappadocia and regionally on the Black Sea, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, please take some presents to kids. Candy, chewing gum, hair bands, dinky toys, coloring books and crayons, etc. which you can find at stores in all towns and dry cat and dog food available at the larger supermarkets.
Turkey is one of the easiest countries to strike up a friendship with adults, children and animals in rural areas and these little presents can act as the ice breaker.
Jan 14th, 2015, 08:35 AM
#98
oc -- I was wondering where you'd got to, glad to see you're back.
On Saturday a large group of Turks staged a demonstration in New York's Dag Hammarskjöld Park, near my apartment. They were demonstrating against Erdogan's formation of a "shadow government" to remain in full power while serving as President. "Elections Mean Something" read on of the signs. "No Shadow Government" others. This is not an issue which has received much coverage in the U.S. How is it playing domestically?
Unfortunately, no upcoming plans to visit Turkey in the works, though I would like very much to see more of your country.
I understand that the U.S. will be taking in some Syrian refugees, and while I'm sure it will be too small, I hope it brings some relief to the refugees and to the generous, and overwhelmed hosts in Turkey and Jordan.
On Saturday a large group of Turks staged a demonstration in New York's Dag Hammarskjöld Park, near my apartment. They were demonstrating against Erdogan's formation of a "shadow government" to remain in full power while serving as President. "Elections Mean Something" read on of the signs. "No Shadow Government" others. This is not an issue which has received much coverage in the U.S. How is it playing domestically?
Unfortunately, no upcoming plans to visit Turkey in the works, though I would like very much to see more of your country.
I understand that the U.S. will be taking in some Syrian refugees, and while I'm sure it will be too small, I hope it brings some relief to the refugees and to the generous, and overwhelmed hosts in Turkey and Jordan.
Jan 18th, 2015, 02:11 AM
#99
thanks as ever, OC, for the first hand update on the situation in Turkey.
Ironic, isn't it, that we, [the UK] are debating over taking mere hundreds of refugees whereas Turkey has so many as does Jordan. The descriptions of the conditions in the refugee camps [not necessarily in Turkey but in the area generally] are heartbreaking and the relief being provided by NGOs is really a drop in the ocean. and those creating the situation [mainly Assad and ISIS] are immune to any pleas for the violence to stop, indeed they seem to revel in it.
the hopelessness that this engenders in the general public here leads sadly to people feeling that there is so much to be done that there is no point in doing anything. Yet as with Ebola, many brave people do go and try to help; I hope that they do, and are not making it worse.
Ironic, isn't it, that we, [the UK] are debating over taking mere hundreds of refugees whereas Turkey has so many as does Jordan. The descriptions of the conditions in the refugee camps [not necessarily in Turkey but in the area generally] are heartbreaking and the relief being provided by NGOs is really a drop in the ocean. and those creating the situation [mainly Assad and ISIS] are immune to any pleas for the violence to stop, indeed they seem to revel in it.
the hopelessness that this engenders in the general public here leads sadly to people feeling that there is so much to be done that there is no point in doing anything. Yet as with Ebola, many brave people do go and try to help; I hope that they do, and are not making it worse.
Jan 18th, 2015, 12:18 PM
#100
Thanks FraDiavolo and Ann,
Nothing much new happening. The government is fighting all outsiders and opponents, real and imaginary, local, national and international and the PM and Pres are skirmishing. Their attendants and fools are suffering some injuries in the process.
They keep on contradicting themselves and each other publicly and internationally to screaming and applauding local crowds, using terrible circular arguments, barking dog fallacies and blatant rhetoric.
One of my newest Twitter followers is the personal sec. of the Pres who has an LLD and a PhD in Theology. I have no idea how he found me and why he is following my tweets, such as:
The longer a ruler is in power, the further away he is from reality & empathy to his subjects & the higher his expectation of being idolized
Here’s how we stop the next 10-year-old from becoming a suicide bomber for #BokoHaram: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_bok...or_global/?twi …
Today not only the poor & the victim, but also the arrogant ruler is faced with the #FrustrationOfRisingExpectations, due to globalization
#FrustrationOfRisingExpectations was a key concept for studying emerging countries & was forgotten. Now it is even more significant.
All about learning #OttomanTurkish language of the empire elite : "High thoughts must have high language."
Aristophanes
All about #Turkey too: "Characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner."
Aristophanes
The #Pataphysical, #pyrrhonist #Hermit #Ionesco discovered among us watches silently as #Boco kills and dies everywhere, #Haram or not.
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Universal believers fight as universal soldiers universal battles of greed & terror in fields, streets & courts, furling the same flag.
Nothing much new happening. The government is fighting all outsiders and opponents, real and imaginary, local, national and international and the PM and Pres are skirmishing. Their attendants and fools are suffering some injuries in the process.
They keep on contradicting themselves and each other publicly and internationally to screaming and applauding local crowds, using terrible circular arguments, barking dog fallacies and blatant rhetoric.
One of my newest Twitter followers is the personal sec. of the Pres who has an LLD and a PhD in Theology. I have no idea how he found me and why he is following my tweets, such as:
The longer a ruler is in power, the further away he is from reality & empathy to his subjects & the higher his expectation of being idolized
Here’s how we stop the next 10-year-old from becoming a suicide bomber for #BokoHaram: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_bok...or_global/?twi …
Today not only the poor & the victim, but also the arrogant ruler is faced with the #FrustrationOfRisingExpectations, due to globalization
#FrustrationOfRisingExpectations was a key concept for studying emerging countries & was forgotten. Now it is even more significant.
All about learning #OttomanTurkish language of the empire elite : "High thoughts must have high language."
Aristophanes
All about #Turkey too: "Characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner."
Aristophanes
The #Pataphysical, #pyrrhonist #Hermit #Ionesco discovered among us watches silently as #Boco kills and dies everywhere, #Haram or not.
0 replies 1 retweet 0 favorites
Universal believers fight as universal soldiers universal battles of greed & terror in fields, streets & courts, furling the same flag.
