TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

Who would have thought that a religious Islamic ritual will become a touristic spectacle? The whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order under the branch of Sufism in Islam has opened its Sema ceremony to the public. Visitors can witness the whole ritual which includes chanting, prayer, music and dancing—whirling in this case hence their name. Visitors must not forget that this is not just a performance nor a cultural event but a religious ceremony. There are a few places to see the whirling dervishes in Istanbul but I heard that the best place to witness them is at the Mevlevi Whirling Dervish hall at the Galata Mevlevi Museum . The Sema ceremony takes place once a week, on Sunday at 17:00. Tickets can only be bought on location. Because the event is very popular among the tourists and that there is a maximum capacity, it is often sold out. Well, I almost didn’t make it to the Sema ceremony! It was fully booked when I arrived. But for some reason the man at the gate pitied us...

When I was in Istanbul last year I did not expect to find a beautiful Christian Church, well except for the Hagia Sofia, that would rival the churches in Europe. I found the Church of St. Anthony of Padua by chance when I had lunch at the 360 Istanbul . The club restaurant in Beyoglu has 360-degree view of the Bosphorus Strait and Fatih, the city's old historical centre, as well as Beyoglu, the hilly and trendy suburb where Istanbulites hang out, be it for shopping, entertainment or protesting against its government in Taksim Square. While enjoying the beautiful views in the terrace of the club restaurant I saw the church which was located just below the building. When I finished lunch and was back on Istiklal Street , I knew where to go next. To visit the Church of St. Anthony of Padua. The Venetian Neo-Gothic architectural style church was built by the local Italian community of Istanbul. It has a very beautiful facade and because this is a predominantly Muslim country, t...

Although Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, it is first and foremost a secular country. Secularism however is not really strictly enforced which is why, amongst many other things, the EU has not totally warmed up to the realistic idea of the country joining the union. Still, Turkey enjoys much freedom and less stigma when it comes to adapting western hedonistic lifestyles as compared to other Muslim countries in the region. I have only been to Istanbul and several parts of the Turkish Riviera and I can say that it is quite open. I do not have to cover myself up as a woman. And alcohol is sold mostly everywhere. Now that goes to say that the night life scene in Istanbul is very much alive and you can find this in the neighbourhood that never sleeps -- Beyoglu. This is the hilly part across the bridge from the old historical city where you can see the Galata Tower rising above the pile of old buildings. When Fatih, the older sister city closes down, Beyoglu her younger si...

Every traveller to Istanbul will always advise new visitors to walk on the centuries old Galata Bridge. The bridge is located on the mouth of the Golden Horn in the European side bringing together Fatih, the historical district and Beyoglu, the modern part of Istanbul. The bridge could have been the same bridge mentioned in the 6th century by Justinian the Great. Fishing is a daily activity on the Galata Bridge. The Galata Bridge taken from Eminonu, Fatih with the view of Galata/Karakoy in Beyoglu with the Galata Tower sticking out. Below the bridge are fish restaurants. I have walked on this bridge a few times actually. I tend to walk a lot when I am travelling on my own, because you discover and truly experience a place when you walk on its streets. You get to see the nooks and crannies normal tourists do not see and you get to cross the paths of the locals and witness how they live and go about in their daily lives. Most of all, I get to admire beautiful native arc...