Nothing was more relaxing than coming back to this relaxing pool side after a blastering hot hike through the rugged terrain of Cappadocia. Every time I opened my book to read I realized my eyes would slowly drift from the pages to take in the beautiful view and I could not help but to relax into a light slumber.
During our last full ay in Cappadoccia we explored and ancient underground city that hid early christians from the threatRoman Empire. The city was made up of narrow tunnels that led to a kitchen, bedrooms, and even a prison. It connects to another underground city through even more series of tunnels. We had a guide to help us navigate through the tunnels and explain each aspect of the ruins.
What a treat Seten Anatolian Restaurant was. It’s apart of the Sultan Cave Suites hotel and it was so delicious that we ate dinner there every single night! Normally I am one to grow tired of the same food and place after a visit or two but this place I could not get enough of. The staff was so kind, the atmosphere was was pristine, and your options.. endless.
We dined outside every evening, taking advantage of the cool air and the pastel sky as the sun began to set. Each night I would look at the menu giddily trying to decide what I would try next from this unique and varied menu. Between the three of us we must have tried almost every course, and if I may add every single one was exquisite. The night before we left I decided to try the baklava and how I wish that I had only tried it sooner. To conclude our meal we’d always finish with a hot apple tea before heading up to the terrace to enjoy the night view of Cappadocia.
This cozy cave was home during our 5 day visit in Cappadocia Turkey. Our beautiful hotel-Sultan Cave Suites- is nestled up high between the rock fairy chimneys which use to house persecuted christians who carved rooms inside to hide from the Romans. Today it offers a spectacular panoramic view and a truly unique lodging experience.
During the day, temperatures hung around 90 but tucked away in the rock our room maintained a cool 65 degrees. It was absolutely perfect from decor to comfort. And if you woke up early enough you would see hot air balloons floating right above your roof.
The hotel is much more than a stellar room, it also offers a pool with a view, a hammam, one of the bet restaurants in town, countless terraces, and let me not forget the kindest staff imaginable which I will all get to in future posts no worries!
The Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar- Perfume Oils
The Grand Bazaar
The Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque
Istanbul offered a completely new experience for me as well as many firsts. So far Turkey is now the farthest west I have been in the world and my first time going to Asia ( I’ll add another pin on my map) and my first time visiting a predominately muslim country. Our hotel was located in the old town perfectly nestled between quaint streets -off the main roads- and an easy walking distance from all the main attractions. We visited inside of two of the most famous mosques of the city, each offering a different experience. Hagia Sophia was more like an artifact because of its age and history. It actually used to be a christian church during the rule of Constantine but was converted into a mosque once he lost power. The second mosque I went inside, the Blue Mosque, allowed you to experience current muslim culture rather than the historical aspects. If you wanted to enter the Blue Mosque and you are a women you are required to be covered head to toe. If you show up dressed inappropriately to their standards, no worries they’ll give you a fashionable blue sheet to cover up with.
Next on my sites to see while in Istanbul was none other than the Grand Bazaar, and it was nothing short of grand. This huge indoor market consisted of more than sixty streets of shops where you easily can get lost in all the chaos. There was everything for sale from semi precious stones and jewelry to clothes and rugs and beyond. My favorite shop I stumbled upon was a soap and perfume shop. It was very reasonably priced unlike most of the overpriced items being sold . The small shop’s walls were lined with vases of perfume oils whose scents are identical to the name brands and organic soap to solve almost any skin problem. I did not leave empty handed.
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Visiting the Catacombs was truly a unique experience. Before descending into the skeleton filled quarries we had to wait an hour and a half before it was our turn even though we got there at 10 ( the time it opens). They recommend getting there before 10 to avoid the wait but in order to be at the front of the line you would have to get there at 9 and you would still wait and hour for the Catacombs to even open! So I recommend getting there at 10 that way you get to sleep in and the line is at a minimum. It was well worth the wait nonetheless.
These underground caves use to be quarries where they dug out rock to build old Paris. Eventually they were left with a series of passage ways and caves underground and didn’t know what to do with them. As room began to run out above ground for burial sites and disease was spread due to the excessive amounts of bodies they decided to move the skeletons underground and they became the catacombs as we know today.
One obstacle I always face when I get ready for a trip to Paris is what clothes to pack. You never like to criticize something you love but when it comes to Paris the weather during the summer is as indecisive as me in a shoe store. It can be rainy and cold, windy and chilly, sunny and comfortably warm, or even fairly hot. I have ran into all these climates in a weeks time and as you can imagine it can make packing clothes a nightmare. After 6 visits to Paris I feel like I have mastered appropriate clothing for this city to suite my comfort. I try to not look too touristy when I visit the fashion capital but completely blending in is still quite hard especially when I am constantly caring around my DSLR camera. But none the less my must haves are as follows:
Paris is full of Patisseries on every street, their window displays gleaming with sweet pastries. The tarte aux framboise was the first of my sweet treats in paris this time and it was amazing! It took me nearly 20 minutes to finish the tarte; I couldn’t help but to savor every bite. I ate more tartes on this visit to Paris than usual, I’m more of an ice cream girl. But no worries I was sure to get my absolute guilty pleasure-pistashio soft served- as I walked towards the gardens of the Eiffel Tower for a little picnic. Right after finishing my ice cream I unveiled the holy grail of french sweets, les macaroons. I’ll have to say, after tasting a box of seven (and sampling a few from a box of 24 later that day) I am not head over heals for macaroons like most seem to be. It looks like for now I’m still an ice cream kinda girl.
Mama Shelter is a designer hotel-restaurant combo and is the epitome of cool. As soon as you walk off the buzzing streets of Paris and into the lobby you instantly feel a change in atmosphere. The lights are dimly light and your eyes instantly are drawn to the chalk art running across the ceiling and you begin to feel hypnotized. The majority of the tables are furnished with chairs on one side and a long comfy sofa that you would find at mom’s (except a little more stylish) on the other. Interesting lamps and decor are displayed haphazardly across the open space of the restaurant adding to its effortlessly cool atmosphere. A DJ selects tracks that compliment the mood and large LCD’s display photos from the Mac Photo Booth.
The occasion of eating at this chic restaurant was for my Uncle’s 50th birthday. We ordered off the menu created by a world renowned chef, it was nothing less than extraordinaire. We dined and chatted for at least two hours and near the end our waiter brought out un baba au rhum which is a delicious cake similar to pound cake topped off with vanilla bean whip cream and coated in rum.I’ve never sung “Happy Birthday” faster in my life I just had to dig into that cake immediately!
As I was snapping a last few photos before we left, I was approached by an employee and was informed that I was not allowed to take photos. For what reason I do not know but luckily I was able to snap the few that I did and hopefully they’ll never see these!
An Earthly Paradise 