Turkish delights in amazing Istanbul

Coming to Istanbul was my first ever trip with BioGaia to see a product launch. Was a super quick trip back then but this time had time to see little more of the city. Amazing place really! So much nice food, great people and beautiful architecture. Everyone seems to be complaining about the traffic in Istanbul but it's nothing compared to Manila or Bangkok. Love this place and would come back anytime! Napolen Bonaparte said that if the world had 1 capitol city it would be Istanbul. Yes why not??

Hello Istanbul you beautiful thing!! Love the hotel rooftop cafe 

The Old Bazaar is def worth a visit 

All kinds of colours and paints 

A bit of Game of Thrones feeling at Rumeli Ruins

Medival rocket silo?

The mosques are amazingly big, quiet and cozy inside. Many of them though completely packed with tourists.

Walking around the old parts of town you find all kinds of small cafes and shops. This one was one of my favourites not far from Galata Tower square called "Coffee Hall"

Umbrella alley

Didn't know beer was big thing in Turkey but positively surprised by how many craft beer places there were ! And beer was goood! 

Pour the best! 

Galata Tower, so far oldest recoded tower in human history still standing. Lot of nice restaurants and shops nearby. 

More coffee by the tower 

Interesting design on this apartment block 

Aga Sofia, the once cathedral that was rebbuild to a mosque and is now a museum. Probably the most popular sight in Istanbul. Was too crowded for me to bother to que in. Looks great from the outside though. 

Bring in the chivalry, pretty ballsy guys on the chopper  

Fishing by the river seem to be a big hobby. Can find guys all around the river trying to get a catch 

Evening cruise. Connecting the Europe - Asia bridge 

Nice evening lightening 

Mosque ahoy! Love the small alleys here 

Big city! 

Just love the kebabs here 

Stranger things spray painted 

Turkish delights are a must to try! 

Dining in Kempinsikis palace was amazing. Fantastic food and atmosphere for a very good price 

THE GATE

Special taste cheese, looks different too. Strong flavour ! Really nice 

The cheese was great with fresh honey 

Walking out the hotel and this is the view! 

City of New & Old 

Protests against traffic congestion 

Washington DC? 

Last week in Tokyo, time to say goodbye to things

It was just my last Saturday in Tokyo. The whole week after coming back from India has been saying farwell to things and people. Quite sad to leave such a wonderful place like this! It's been so good living here.

New area opened in Shibuya! Really cool area with loads of great restaurants. Great outdoor seatings too, and it's that time of the year you want to sit out now! 

Luke's Lobster in Shibuya is goooood

 It's so nice when our office chef makes food. Avocado, tuna and salmon bowl! With some karage and salad also. Yumyum 

Will miss this office

 I'll miss this place a lot! It's an onsen from the 60s. Looks like they left it 50 years ago and the man by the cashier has probably been there since the start. 

 Farwell Tsukuda with some fine drinks 

 A true heart-stopper. French toast floating in maple syrup with some bacon and fried banana. Of course some healthy fruit on it to balance it...

 Will miss playing with Kaj here on our backyard park

 Went to the German village during Golden Week. A part of Germany in Japan...and of course sausages and beer! 

Fields of flowers here too! 

Dinosaurs were a bit scary

Lately the little monster just wants to fly 

German village, German food 

Tuut tuut! 

 Lol what 

 When in need of name for things, why not Hustler? 

 Sup ladies? Where's my weekend date? 

 We went for a 24 km run around the city.  Visited so many old and new places around town. Some coffee by the Sumidagawa river at Pitman's, ramen, onsen, around Akihabara and Ueno. Found a Confucius temple in Akihabara by chance. Seems that it's also one of the oldest in Japan. But never seen any promotions for it before.

We checked that this statue is supposed to be the biggest in the world of Mr. Confused. I wonder? Google claimed so.

Write your good luck token 

Park in the heart of Tokyo 

Like these stairs 

Weird vending machines in Akihabara. Everything from doomsday messages to plastic cockroaches? 

Can't go to Akihabara without visiting Super Potato

Rooftops in Ueno 

Meat festival in Hibiya park! Lot of good stuff! 

And then there is chicken too...

 Unagi dinner where it all started and I met the family first time few years back 

 Yummmm

My new favourite ramen is spicy miso! 

Found this in the store, a part of Finland. Only selling the strong version, atta boy! 

Will miss seeing this view soon 

Had for the first time 2 ramen bowls in 1 go 

Our local Tsukuda Onsen, it's quite crappy but super hot water and easy to walk to 

Some Supli after the bath 

Our ongoing Tsukuda river fixings 

HOME! 

I hope there will be something similar to this to walk around with Kaj in Singapore too