Istanbul, Turkey

July 11 - July 14, 2010

Fresh, salted corn cobs and juicy watermelon slices overflowed in street-side stalls. Lamb, houmous, yogurt and pide plates piled high in local Ottoman restaurants. Sweet paprika, sumac and Turkish saffron heaps piled in the Spice Bazaar. You now already know that you're in for a treat.

Situated on the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is the world's only city to be located on two continents. On the border between Europe and Asia, Istanbul benefits greatly as the Bosphorus serves as a major international trade route, for both sea and land commerce alike. Being able to experience such an amazing destination, I did not mind having to watch the FIFA World Cup Final, Spain vs. Holland, on a Spanish-speaking channel featured on a Turkish television, whatsoever.

The Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet (created from what used to be a neoclassic Turkish prison) in Istanbul's Old Town could not have been a more convenient location to reside at when exploring the city. Let me advise you now; definitely opt to stay in the Old Town, rather than in Istanbul's commercial district, where you can embark on some fantastic walking tours with a local guide and delve into the fascinating history of Istanbul itself. Today, this part of the city is still very much inundated with striving culture and tradition. The Whirling Dervishes gracefully spinning on the rooftop terraces of our hotel were just the beginning to what we discovered.

Just two streets away, we were arriving to what is known as Sultanahmet Park, the center of the Old Town. It was impossible to miss - the park, adorned with luscious lawns, flowerbeds and a wonderful fountain, is embraced by two iconic mosques; the Hagia Sophia on one end, and directly opposite, on the other side of the park, the Blue Mosque. Also just off the square is the Tomb of Sultan Ahmet I, and down the street adjacent to the Hagia Sophia is the incredible Topkapi Palace and Harem. Just a short walk down a few further streets led you to the Basilica Cistern, too. So where do I begin?

The Hagia Sophia was initially constructed as a church by the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian, and took five years to build, from 532 to 537. It stands today with four minarets, each built at a different point throughout its history. Acknowledged for its imposing dome, it has been as mosque since 1453 and was opened to the public as a museum in 1935. As for the Blue Mosque, this structure stands with six minarets and was built from 1609 to 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I. It was named for its blue, hand-painted tiles which ensconce its interior walls from floor to ceiling. Featuring over 200 stained glass windows, tablets erected high up on the walls portray verses from the Quran as well as the names of caliphs for those who still visit and pray in routine. When visiting either mosque, we entered shoeless and had our shoulders and knees covered out of respect towards the Islamic religion. The Topkapi Palace and Harem was in use from 1465 to 1856 by Ottoman Sultans and, at times, housed up to 4,000 people. Sprawled in grandeur along the Bosphorus, its hundreds of chambers are decorated with the Turkish porcelain tiles (every tile design holding a meaning), just as the mosques are. Its history was incredible to hear and fascinating tours have been held through both the palace and the harem since 1924. Don't miss exploring it for your life.

Another must-see in Istanbul are its markets, or bazaars. Small, local bazaars can be found tucked in crevices of the Old Town, such as the Arasta Bazaar, while some of Istanbul's main marketplaces are the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Sipping apple tea while exploring the Grand Bazaar, I quickly realized that you could pick up anything and everything you wished for - from leather jackets to colourful glass lamps to shisha pipes. The Spice Bazaar definitely treated my nose to a variety of new and intriguing smells, no doubt.

We spent our last full day in Istanbul on a boat cruise on the Bosphorus, sailing up the European side and back along the Asian side. The weather couldn't have been more perfect as we caught glimpses of stunning villas and palaces right on the water's edge. Not to forget, the cherry on top of the day consisted of a delicious dinner at the Four Season Hotel on the Bosphorus sitting in the warm evening breeze watching the twinkling lights of the city across the strait. Truly magnificent, it was.

I made sure to live up every moment possible while in the beautiful city of Istanbul, awaking early on the day we were to say goodbye. I ventured out one last time to Sultanahmet park to meet and spend the morning with a new friend. Savannah was going to be attending the upcoming 7th session of the Global Young Leaders Conference in New York City and Washington D.C., just as I was. She had come to Istanbul from San Francisco, I, from London. We both realized we were in the same city just hours after a Facebook friend request had been made the previous day. That morning, we sat in the courtyard of the Blue Mosque and talked away, just like we were sisters. We ate corn from the street-stalls and talked away, just like we were sisters. We then met again just two weeks later, on an entirely different continent. This world is so beautifully small.

Take me back to Istanbul.

Blue Mosque

The Bosphorus Straight from Topkapi Palace terraces

Kitten in box at Arasta Bazaar

Market stall at Spice Bazaar

Savannah (right) & I in Sultanahmet Park with Hagia Sophia in background

Edinburgh, Scotland

July 3 - July 7, 2010

Through the overcast skies and rainy days, there is something exciting about Edinburgh. Unable to diagnose whether it may be due to the history towering over the city, such as Edinburgh Castle, the history layered underneath the city, such as Mary King's Close, or the intricacy of Medieval and Georgian architecture alike composing the city, I know I definitely could have spent more than just three full days wandering this Scottish gem.

Having spent the past two weeks dominantly out on desolate countryside may definitely have been a fueling factor to the excitement Edinburgh portrayed too. The noise pollution of traffic, the crowds moving at a consistent rate along this street and that...there is no doubt that I am a city girl. Then again, Edinburgh is also home to a multitude of universities which bring masses of young adults. I'll say no more. 

The two distinct areas, the Old Town and the New Town, create Edinburgh as it is seen today. From what I experienced, pick anything to do in this city and it will impress in some way or another.

When finding a bite to eat, we were never let down. From cafes to pubs to restaurants, deciding which to grab a meal at in the first place was the most difficult challenge to overcome. I must inform you, however, of two fantastic restaurants; 'The Glasshouse Off the Mile' on St. Giles Street is composed with a modern atmosphere featuring delicious, light lunch eats. 'Cucina' at Hotel Missoni is strikingly chic with a menu inspired with Italian cuisine. Champagne bottles popped and three-course black truffle summer menus were served all around; I ate incredibly well on my sixteenth birthday.

Princes Street in New Town has plenty to offer when it comes to shopping, situated central in the city next to Edinburgh Castle. So does 'The Centre' at Livingston; half an hour west of Edinburgh, in addition to the mall itself, is also a designer outlet mall (with fantastic bargains if I may say so myself) and movie cinemas.

If you happen to be visiting the area with younger kids, apart from the carousel in the Princes Street Gardens, make a visit to Camera Obscura. Alongside the obscura is a museum full of fun illusions to twist your mind around, while at the same time being very family-friendly.

Historically, Edinburgh has so much more to offer than I initially expected when first arriving in the area. Stroll down the Royal Mile in the Old Town and you're spanning the eminent mile of street between two of Edinburgh's spotlighted historical structures, Holyrood Abbey and Edinburgh Castle. Climb the Castle Rock, once volcanically created, up to Edinburgh Castle and discover its origins, back to when David I ruled in the 12th century. Return to earth and watch as tartan weaving mills, in working condition, create the kilts that only bagpipers can pull off. Move underground and you're in for an incredible surprise - that, the reason, of Edinburgh's haunted reputation. 

From Mary King's Close, a tour through the now underground, Plague-stricken, narrow streets of what used to be Edinburgh in the 15th century, to Ghost Tours under South Bridge, bringing you to the exact locations of where plague victims were locked up to rot and die, then exposing you to the paranormal activity which is said to still remain, never a moment will pass where you won't let down your guard.

Princes Street Gardens looking up to Edinburgh Castle

Tartan Weaving Mill

St. Giles' Cathedral on Royal Mile

Bank of Scotland Head Office off of Royal Mile

Hotel Missoni

Lancaster, England

June 25 - June 26, 2010

Simply a night's stopover while on the road, we were in and out of Lancaster quickly. On the way from Snowdonia to Lancaster however, Chester became the destination of the day. 

Once a Roman fort and army base before being later on fortified by the Saxons, Chester overflows with British culture today. Victorian structures hundreds of years old can be still seen standing and compose this town with the character it holds. In addition, great shopping can be found, conveniently placed together, on Eastgate and its surrounding streets. Big labels such as French Connection, Kookai and Zara can be found as well as many other delightful boutiques situated up in the Medieval Rows, undercover first floor arcades of studio buildings.

Arriving in Lancaster that evening to spend the night at Thurnham Hall, I was impressed. These apartments were more modern than I had expected, including a more contemporary shower which didn't crumble with the pressure of turning on the tap (one of the many experiences from the previous stay in the Snowdonian cottage). Promising. 

Medieval Rows, Chester

Eastgate, Chester