Visit to Turkey

Visit to Turkey

1. Day

We arrived to Istanbul about 10 am. Then by minibus to hotel Amber. Amber is a small hotel in the old town on the European side.   Me and Bing went to sleep about 1 pm on Sunday.

2. Day

Raija, Jorma,  Bing and me went to old town by walk. We saw The Blue Mosque. It was  big and beautiful. Then we had a lunch in a small fish restaurant. I had calamari.

The Basilica Cistern

After lunch we saw The Basilica Cistern. It was build by emperor Justinianus.

In the afternoon we flew to Afyonkarahisar. After we had arrived to our hotel Cakmak Marble Hotel, me and Bing went to eat with our Portuguese friends Antonia, Felipe and Pedro.

The Cakmak Marble Hotel

3. Day

After breakfast we all (teachers and learners) went to meeting room. After meeting learners went to local mosque. Then by minibus to marmor shop, Efesus Stone. Then we had lunch in our hotel and after lunch we had our presentation.  

After lunch we met local director of education of Afyon. Then  we had a little meeting with deputy mayor. And after that we all went to meet the governor of the area. He gave us a gift, a spa in hamam (sauna) and a dinner in five star hotel Karash. In hamam there were several saunas, "normal" Finnish looking and Turkish. Also different kind pools, very hot (over 37 degrees) and normal temperature pools. There were also a large outdoor pool. The dinner was very luxurious. Plenty of everything.

4. Day

After breakfast we all went to local school for adults. We listened Felipe telling us about YouTube videos and how to learn by playing games. We saw the women doing handicraft. Then we had a lunch in kebab restaurant. After we continued to Turkish hamam, which is a some kind of museum and educating center. We listened a Turkish orchestra playing traditional music. Mirja Ilola sung a Turkish song. Then to archaeological museum.

Dinner we had in a fancy hotel, Güral Afyon Wellness & Convention  about 4 km from our hotel.
The food was pretty good. The food was a huge amount, and it was put in the limelight.

5. Day

In Istanbul our hotel was Erboy Hotel. 

 

We had late dinner with Pedro in

Pasazade Restaurant (Ottoman Cuisine)

6.  Day

Our hotel, Erboy, was in the center of the old town, near Golden Horn. After breakfast Bing and  me went  to walk. At first I wanted to see The Bosphorus. I bought some Turkish Delight, it was minth. I bought also lemon salt. The spice bazaar was amazing. Ful of different kind of spices. We got lost on our way to the hotel. Fortunately we had time on time and didn't miss the bus. Our flight took off at 14 pm. I Was at home about 9 pm.

Luppari