While in Istanbul, we stayed at a very expensive hotel thanks to Maggie. The hotel was called the Grand Tarabya. It was very nice and we had a good time, but I'm still not sure it was worth the price.
During the day, we decided to do something that I never thought would happen, we saved money. Instead of going on some expensive journey, we went to the Turkazoo Aquarium for FREE!
For dinner, we ended up going to the Gaja Restaurant. The Gaja was very luxurious. We ate some of the finest food in all the land.
During the day, we decided to do something that I never thought would happen, we saved money. Instead of going on some expensive journey, we went to the Turkazoo Aquarium for FREE!
For dinner, we ended up going to the Gaja Restaurant. The Gaja was very luxurious. We ate some of the finest food in all the land.
Istanbul costs:
Hotel - $1160 or 928 euros
Gaja Restaurant - $600 or 480 euros
Turkazoo Aquarium - Priceless
Gaja Restaurant - $600 or 480 euros
Turkazoo Aquarium - Priceless
The Grand TArabya
This is the hotel that Maggie, Colin and I stayed at in Istanbul. It was very comfortable and classy. The view was phenomonal.
Turkazoo Aquarium
Cam diving with the sharks!
This is the underwater tunnel at the aquarium. It's a very cool view, and you can see life underwater from a completely different view.
Gaja Restaurant
We decided we would eat at the Gaja Restaurant in Istanbul, and that was not a mistake. This was some of the best food we've every had, but it was also very expensive. The average starter plate is about 90 euros or $112.50 in American currency. That doesn't even include desert. All in all this was some of the best food I've ever had, and the view was fantastic. I recomend the marseille.
Here's where you can find the menu:
http://www.gaja.com.tr/eng/Menu_en.pdf
Here's where you can find the menu:
http://www.gaja.com.tr/eng/Menu_en.pdf
This is a picture of the beautiful view from atop the Gaja Restaurant.
Important Phrase to Know:
Where is the bathroom?
Translation: Banyo nerede?
Translation: Banyo nerede?
Local Talk
On our trip, I spoke with a local man on the many aspects of Turkey. Here is an excerpt from our conversation.
Me: What are some things Istanbolians love to do?
Man: The people of Turkey in general, love pigeons and love to receive flowers.
Me: What is the unemployment rate in Istanbul?
Man: The unemployment rate is 15.1% in Istanbul, which is very high.
Me: What is the average cost of living in Istanbul?
Man: The average cost of just living, not including shopping or eating out is about 300 euros per month.
Me: What are some things Istanbolians love to do?
Man: The people of Turkey in general, love pigeons and love to receive flowers.
Me: What is the unemployment rate in Istanbul?
Man: The unemployment rate is 15.1% in Istanbul, which is very high.
Me: What is the average cost of living in Istanbul?
Man: The average cost of just living, not including shopping or eating out is about 300 euros per month.