Photoblog: Seeing Istanbul Through A Kaleidoscope

Istanbul is a city of superlatives: blinding lights, traffic noises and flashy sights amplify your senses, while the kaleidoscope of colors and aroma hypnotize you into a trance. Spanning across Europe and Asia, the metropolis is power-packed with distinctive cultures and flavors.

Stepping foot on Istanbul for the second stop, I noticed how rapidly it has changed. Within a short time span of 3 years, Istanbul has developed into a city of contradictions. Soaring skyscrapers vs aged shop houses, chic outdoor cafes vs old school teahouses. Here, old meets new and East meets West – I’ll let my photos bring you through the multi-hued streets of Istanbul for a closer look.

A gorgeous display of white tulips – Turkey’s national flower – contrasting against the grey backdrop of theNew Mosque.

 

Spice Market

Spices and condiments of every color you can imagine – heaped up into pyramidal piles. I had the constant urge to push one of them and see how the colors would blend.

Rows and rows of rainbow-colored porcelain bowls all intricately hand-crafted and ornamented with jewels. Only fit for royalty.

    

Brass and bronze utensils on sale at Spice Market.

Street Food

   A kebab seller sharpens his knives and gets ready to strut his stuff. With two blades on hand, he whips up some outrageous kebab – the most popular street food ever.

By the Bosphurus banks, I spotted these floating fish kebab stalls, where fresh fish caught from the sea were grilled instantly, sandwiched in a bun and served hot and steamy.

Quintessential Sights

The Basilica Cistern, masterpiece of the Roman empire, beautifully displays the works of yesteryears. Dim red lights give the underground water bunker a mysterious glow, gently lighting up the columns. In the darkness, you can see the reflection of the columns on the clear water surface. 

The exterior of the Sultanahmet Mosque. The central water fountain is used for the purpose of cleansing your soul before entering the mosque.

   The interior of Sultanahmet Mosque is bewitching – chandeliers hang from the sky-high ceiling while sunlight pours through the colorful stained glass.

In Hagia Sofia, the influences of both Byzantine and Ottoman empires can be evidently seen. Its dome-shaped ceiling, carved walls and Orthodox paintings represent the Roman Byzantine past while Arabic scripts are symbols of its Muslim present.

The Bosphourus Bridge connects Europe to Asia – two continents bridged into one. At Ortakoy, rows of sophisticated restaurants compete to see who has the best view and cuisine in town.

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How to Work in the Travel Industry

Bitten by the travel bug and want to make travel your lifestyle? Or are you fresh out of college, ready to explore the world one inch at a time? Whether your dream is to travel for a living or simply build a new life abroad, you can work at making the dream come true.  I’ve received many questions from readers and friends about how I made travel my lifestyle. Since going into travel writing, I’ve never been happier. If you’re as crazy about travel as I am, then you might like to check out these possible jobs that can allow you to wander the world.

Travel Writer/Photographer

Let’s face it, it’s everyone’s dream job to be a travel writer or photographer. It’s not easy to get but it’s also not impossible. To begin with, you can first set up your own blog to showcase your work. It’s best to take a writing/photography course to help you lay down the groundwork and have basic knowledge in the field. From there, you can research on possible outlets and perhaps start working for free. It doesn’t happen overnight but when once you get your first paid gig, it’s much easier to go from there. I’d highly recommend checking outMatador U and VIVA Travel Writing Bootcamp (which I attended and it landed me a gig as a guidebook author).

Flickr photo by Ben Stephenson

Travel PR

If your vocation is public relations, then veering into travel PR will be an easy option to unleash the wanderlust in you. PR professionals working with tourism boards, hotel chains or cruise companies tend to travel frequently on press trips (i.e. fully sponsored trips). Qualifications to work in travel PR vary, but generally you will need an education in either public relations, communications or business management. There are numerous PR agencies out there that work with clients in the travel industry, make your pitch and see where life takes you.

Hospitality Jobs

Working in hotels or resorts would be an excellent way to relocate abroad. Start by looking into large-scale resorts and five-star hotels in popular tourist destinations such as the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, Spain and Thailand. These jobs usually don’t require much qualifications, although you can gain an edge over others by attending hospitality management schools.  Some all-inclusive resorts also tend to hire animators or entertainment staff who are basically involved in daily entertainment programs in the hotel. These jobs allow you to live abroad, explore and experience a totally different culture and environment.

Flight Attendant

Another practical option to lead a jetsetting lifestyle, working as a flight attendant will definitely give you the chance to see more of the world and rub shoulders with seasoned travelers. Most airlines usually require just a high school diploma and some experience in customer service. Requirements tend to vary from one airline to another, although most of them focus on your general physique (weight and height), etiquette and the way you present yourself. Check out the airline websites to apply online.

Cruise Ship Jobs

For the young graduates or gap year students, cruise ship jobs might just be right up your alley. They give you the chance to cruise from one port to another, have some leisure time to explore when off work and learn a thing or two about tourism. But as you can imagine, the cruise industry is competitive and to stand a chance to work on a cruise, you’ll need to display plenty of potential. One way to give yourself an edge over others is to have some experience in customer service, retail or the F&B industry. Speaking more than one language would also put you at an advantage. Some good places to look for cruise ship jobs would be theclassifieds and cruise ship websites.

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5 Ideal Road trip Destinations

Growing up in a big city and being confined to urban life in my teenage years, I got my first taste of road-tripping during my tertiary years in Miami. And I never looked back since. Cruising along miles and miles of freeway, feeling the wind in my hair and singing to rock music with friends in the backseat –  I’ve had some of my best travel memories while road-tripping in the United States and Europe. A road trip offers the kind of freedom and impromptu adventure unparalleled by other forms of travel. I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorite road-trip destinations.

1. Australia

Camper hire is a great way to get around Australia and to fully explore the country. There are plenty of options to choose from – the Northern Territory promises remote outback adventure, while Queensland will mean plenty of beach fun, underwater explorations and sunshine. I personally love the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road, passing wine valleys and penguin-infested lands.  Western Australia is also great for driving, especially onboard a 4WD in the Pinnacles National Park.

2. United States

Throughout North America you’ll find excellent routes and coastal drives. One of the world’s most photographed route, the Pacific Highway, cuts through California and meanders languidly along the shoreline. Some of the essential stops include Morro Bay – where a volcanic rock stands 536 feet above the bay, the Hearst Castle and the Point Lobos State Reserve to catch gray whales migrating past (December through April). Other brilliant road trip itineraries include driving from Orlando to the Florida Keys, stopping along the gorgeous beaches along the way.

Flickr photo by digitizedchaos

3. Ireland

Trips to Ireland are not complete without a road trip along rugged cliff edges and luscious green plains. Driving is the best way to reach far-flung regions and fully experience the Irish backcountry. A popular route starts from Waterford, cruising through Cobh and Kinsale and then admiring the awe-inspiring scenery at the Ring of Kerry. Those starting from Dublin can follow the route towards Ireland’s most visited site, the Cliffs of Moher, and then continue on to Country Clare, stopping for a visit to the megalithic tombs of Newgrange.

4. South Africa

Road-tripping through South Africa is a magical way to wander through its undulating coastline, sprawling vineyards and wildlife nature parks. You can easily rent a 4X4 or a campervan and stop by its charming towns, national parks and beach towns. An attractive inland route – the Garden route- takes you from Cape Town to George, through the wine farms of Breede River Valley and intriguing rock formations at Montagu.

Flickr photo by Martie Swart

5. Argentina

Argentina, with its long distances and large area, is best seen on wheels. Throughout the massive South American nation, you can find numerous scenic routes to take in the country’s rural landscapes. One route in particular is intoxicating: in Northern Argentina, start your journey from Salta through the Andean villages of Purmamarca and Humahuaca, passing the Humahuaca Canyon where you’ll find yourself surrounded by cactus-strewn landscapes and colorful slopes.

 

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