Hey hey!
Last week the Mr decided to take me away for a couple days to none other than Istanbul. I have been pining to go away for a while now.
When I got there, it was cold & wet. But it didn’t really bother me (okay, I did moan… a bit) as there was so much to do and see 😀
So anyway, I’ve decided that I’d like to share some of my holiday snaps with you guys. In a space of 2 days, I took around 350-400 pictures. Yes, I am most definitely snap happy. 🙂
Blue Mosque at night
Mmmmm.. Turkish Delight!
Taksi!
Aaaaand strike a pose.
Kitty wanting a bit of Kebap action!
The Grand Bazaar.
Some of the vintage wares in the Antique Bazzar
Kitty thinking the boy has some food for him/her. SO cute. Wanted to take it home with me. 🙂
Inside the Blue Mosque.
Kitty!
Sticking my finger in the “weeping” column. Apparently it will heal you? And if you manage to rotate 360 with your thumb inside, you will be granted one wish. I never managed to do it 🙁
Inside the Hagia Sophia. An absolute stunning view from the upper gallery.
After a hard day of sight seeing. 🙂
Overall, it was a great city break. I think it’s good to get away just for a weekend, it is refreshing and you don’t feel quite so jet lagged.
I usually travel to the middle east or onwards. So Istanbul was different. It felt very European, but also didn’t lose it’s sense of arabian charm, especially with all the carpet shops, mosques, the history and strong coffee. Also, I noticed that they call their kebabs, kebaps. Which I found hilarious. Oh, it really is the little things. 🙂
Now that I’m back, I’m already planning my next getaway. I’m thinking Abu Dhabi for the Grand Prix in November. I’m not really into the Grand Prix, but the boy is. I’m just interested in the shopping (Yes, I’m talking about you MUFE!). So it’s win win all round! 🙂
I usually travel to the middle east or onwards. So Istanbul was different. It felt very European, but also didn’t lose it’s sense of arabian charm, especially with all the carpet shops, mosques, the history and strong coffee. Also, I noticed that they call their kebabs, kebaps. Which I found hilarious. Oh, it really is the little things. 🙂
Now that I’m back, I’m already planning my next getaway. I’m thinking Abu Dhabi for the Grand Prix in November. I’m not really into the Grand Prix, but the boy is. I’m just interested in the shopping (Yes, I’m talking about you MUFE!). So it’s win win all round! 🙂
Have any of you guys been away lately? Planning any holidays?
EllysMakeupbag
March 22, 2011Aw i love the kitty pics hehe, so cute! I've been to Turkey once and i can honestly say the food is AMAZING.
ArtDonatella
March 22, 2011Fabulous pictures! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Abbie
March 22, 2011Some beautiful photos Halima! Love the picture of all the lamps 😀
Looks like you really had a good time!
I'm going to NYC next year not so much a short break but sooo excited haha.. I really wanted to go to DisneyLand Paris with Adam for a weekend but its soooo expensive it's redic!
xx
Sana
March 23, 2011Gorgeous pics!! My Mum used to live in Turkey and has always had a fondness for it and so its always been a wish of mine to go there! Hopefully one day! xx
The Dollymix Diaries
March 23, 2011Amazing pictures babe! Istanbul looks amazing.
Definetly hit up Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. I love that place!
xx
Tass
March 23, 2011GORGEOUS photos! I'd love to go to Istanbul. That little kitty is sooo cute xx
Anonymous
March 23, 2011Wow, beautiful pictures. I'm soo with you on the 300+ picture taking! I do it all the time on holiday and my husband calls me "such a tourist".
I'm a new reader of your blog, and loving it! Especially cause you're a fellow Lancashire based Asian! 😀
x
Shivani
March 23, 2011I can't wait to go to Turkey. Thanks for the pictures…really pretty and pristine.
Beauty's Bad Habit
March 23, 2011Love when people post their travel pictures! The antique bazaar would have rendered me bankrupt probably :S The bf and I are planning on going to Thailand at some point, but alas – we are both broke haha 🙂
Anonymous
March 23, 2011Oh my lord, the pictures are amazing. I really want to go now! It looks like such a great place for sightseeing and just it's so nice. Also I'm loving that antique shop. If those were just a few pictures, the 400 pics would be amazing. Great quality pics too 🙂 xxx
Estefania Lovelifefashion
March 23, 2011Great pics!! Thanks for sharing 😉
Kisses
Sarah Lou
March 23, 2011Gorgeous pictures! Looks like you had a great time!
I'd love to go to Abu Dhabi! Think watching SATC2 made me want to go even more lol!
I've got a holiday booked for the second week of July – Elounda, Crete for one week! 🙂 I can't wait! I love Greece!
xx
Princess Feef
March 23, 2011awww great pics <3 thx for sharing love
Bumble
March 23, 2011I loved seeing your pictures! Brought back some lovely memories of my own! We only went for a short two day excursion there whilst on holiday in Bulgaria and there was so much that we didn't get to do. I'd love to go back soon. I could have spent an absolute fortune in the Grand Bazaar!
http://fattybumble.blogspot.com
Truly Madly Beauty
March 23, 2011*Gasp!* That turkish delight!!!!! 😀 Aww you know how much I was looking forward to this post darling! Bought back tons of memories! Mainly wanting to take all the little kitty's home in my suitcase too! Also wishing I could buy all the stunning antique pieces in the souks. Lol, 400 pics?!! Go you! 🙂 Hope you had a fab break lovely!
Love Aysh xoxo
Anonymous
March 23, 2011Istanbul is so beautiful! Thankyou for sharing…you look like you've had an amazing little break xxxx
Roshni
March 23, 2011wow beautiful photos :):) i want to go to Turkey now xx
Anonymous
March 23, 2011Beautiful pics, its made me want to go there now!
xx
Lima
March 23, 2011@ ArtDonatella – No problemo. Glad you liked them 🙂 xo
@ EllyMakeupbag – I really wanted to take them home with me. Kittens are my weakness! xo
@ Abbie – Thanks, Abbs! The lamps were so pretty. I would love my bedroom's ceiling to be covered in the stuff! Oooh, NYC? I would love to go there! JEALOUS! I know what you mean about Disneyland, it is not cheap at all :/ xo
@ Aneka – Thanks, gurrrl! I'm not sure what to do with the rest of the photos, haha. Might just make a small album with around 50 or something. That would be pretty difficult. xo
@ Beautysbadhabit – The antique bazaar was amazing! But yes, majority of the wares were super expensive. They had some gorgeous big mother rings too, baaaah. I've heard Thailand is cheapo? xo
@ Adorable On Your Vanity – When are you going, love? You will have a good time, especially if it's in the summer! xo
@ Saira – Ooooh hello you! My husband says the exact same thing to me. On holiday it's usually me taking the pictures, he likes to live for the moment, pffft men! xo
@ Tass – You should! Summer would be the best time to go. The cats were really friendly there. They'd rub themselves around your legs if they thought you had any food, hehe! xo
@ the Dollymix Diaries – Thanks, doll. I've been to the Marina Mall. Loved it there! They also had an ice rink, I think? xo
@ Sana – Really?! Well, you have no excuse but to go! 😛 xo
@ princess Feef – Thank you 🙂 And excuse me, lady! But why have you deleted your blog? I am not happy about this woman! 🙁 xo
@ Sarah – I did indeed. Yeah, it's weird though 'cause SATC wasn't even filmed in Abu Dhabi, but they did a good job in fooling us, hehe! I would love to go to crete, one day! xo
@ Estefania Lovelifefashion – No problem. Glad you liked them 🙂 xo
@ Bumble – I was there for 2 days as well. But I found that was enough to do most of the things. The grand bazaar was mahoooosive, wasn't it? Got lost a few times too! Haha xo
@ Aysh – We bloody love our turkish delight! I am currently experiencing withdrawal symtoms, I need more! Aww, the kitties, how friendly were They would rub themselves against our legs 'cause they thought we had food, hehe! I didn't buy anythng from the antique bazaar, gutted it was SO expensive 🙁 xo
@ Summer – it is indeed! I had a lovely time! xo
@ Rosha – You would love it, especially in the summer. Are you still going to Egypt this year? xo
@ Esha – You should do! you will love it! At night the views of some of the buildings are stunning. xo
Sylwia Perri
March 23, 2011I always knew that Istanbul is a beautiful city, but these pics really made me want to go there and visit all these amazing places<3
Inner Belle
March 23, 2011omg!! how amazing! super jealous ryt now, defo stickin that on my list of places to visit! for now im saving 😉 for a big one!!!! theres so many places i want to go, all ur pics are amazing ps u looked gorjus as always!!
Sheefa F
March 23, 2011you make me want to go istanbul! and OMG those kitties are SO cute! I would not be able to resist and would sneek one into my bag hehe
Ayshe
March 24, 2011i really wanna see istanbul the bazaars look amazing! any interesting finds?
Kajal Couture
March 24, 2011I am a new follower to your blog but I love it! And I hear you on MUFE….I just went for a weekend trip to New York last weekend and went to the MUFE boutique there….heaven!!! Would love to have you check out and follow my blog too!
Monika
March 24, 2011Pretty pictures, that kitty looking up at your boy is sooooo cute!
I seriously didn't think there was that many diff types of Turkish delight! I wunna try some now.
xx
MEVISH
March 24, 2011Dayuuum girl you HOTT STUFF! u look hottt in the last pic. Amazing pics the cat looks so cute 😉 xx
Saba
April 4, 2011love the pictures! makes me want to go there even more 🙂