20 Kuala Lumpur: The end of the journey...

"Maybe that's the best part of going away for a vacation—coming home again." -  Madeleine L'Engle

(Momentos from our trips)

Day 20: 08/07/25 (Tuesday)

Destination: Home sweet home

We had breakfast of Ravioli and shawarma high above Phuket, Thailand two hours before arriving at KLIA.

(Sleepy heads, wide awake before landing)

(Having breakfast on board)

Landed safely at the KLIA International Airport in Sepang. All passengers had to disembark and the continuing passengers had to go through another security check before reboarding the flight to Sydney. The KLIA Aerotrain is back in service.

(Landed safely in KLIA early in the morning)

(Crowded Arrival/Departure Gates)

(The new Aerotrain - a major infrastructure upgrade)

Bought some Daim chocolates then collected our baggage. One of our bags was badly dented, most probably because of the rough handlings in one of the airports in the countries we visited in Central America. Took a coupon airport taxi cab to Putramas to retrieve the E300. Traffic heading to KL was quite heavy. Before we reached our Bidara home, we had an early lunch of nasi lemak and roti boom at Restoran Dě Maju.

(Waiting for our cab at the Arrival Hall)

(Nasi lemak De'Maju)

After 20 days away, we were back at our home sweet home. We have two full days to sleep and rest. On Friday Sara will be travelling back to Johor after her outbound program in Perak and will stopover in KL. We will be spending the weekend with Sara in our Putramas Apartment.

Doing the laundry is least on our mind...

19 Turkey/K Lumpur: The overbooked Turkish Air Flight...

"No matter how clearly you express yourself, the other person isn’t listening to understand - they’re listening to react..."

(A mosque by the Bosphorus on a tiled wall)

Day 19: 07/07/25 (Monday)

Flight: TK174 IST 1550/KUL 0705+1 (Turkish Air)
Route: Istanbul, Turkey - Kuala Lumpur

Breakfast was at the 8th floor Restaurant of The Oran Hotel. We had omelettes and bread with cappuccino and hot chocolate. Plus the usual array of fruits and salads.

(A clear view of the Bosphorus from the dining hall)

(A heavy breakfast for two)

We checked out early. The hotel had arranged for a taxi to send us to the airport. The van for our airport transfer picked us around 11.30 am. 

(Lounge area of Hotel Oran)

(The cocktail bar)

(Dining area on ground floor)

We arrived at the Istanbul International Airport at Arnavutköy early. We already had our boarding passes. The boarding gate for our flight was yet to be confirmed.

(Arriving at the airport)

( A beautiful landscape in the airport)

After clearing border control and security checks, we performed our jamak prayers at one of the many mushollas of the Istanbul International Airport.

(There are many prayer areas in the boarding lounge)

(Ablution area within the musholla)

(Prayer time in Istanbul)

(The prayer hall)

(All set to go to the boarding gate)

(Our plane has long docked, ready to load passengers)

Boarded our Turkish Airlines flight TK174 bound for Sydney via KLIA at Gate D9. It was a full flight since KLIA was a layover for the final destination in Sydney, Australia. We learned later that two Malaysian passengers had to be denied boarding following Turkish Airlines overbooking of the TK174 flight. Apparently, this is a very common practise for them as this happened often. Basically, these two Malaysian, one of them was our travel buddy and another a young student studying in France, were requested to volunteer to fly the next available flight on the following day. They were supposed to be compensated with an overnight stay in a 5-star hotel and 600 euros due to them. I hope it was worth the agony and anxiety!

Flight TK 174 bound for KL was delayed more than an hour before take off.

(Full house on the overbooked Flight TK174)

We had early dinner of lamb Shawarma with pilaf rice on board. The rest of the time on board was spent napping and listening to the in-flight music.

(My lamb shawarma untouched)

18 Turkey: Istanbul Walking Tour on a Hot Summer Afternoon...

"Not every battle needs to be fought. Not every person deserves your explanation. Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is walk away..."

(Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara)

Day 18: 06/07/25 (Sunday)
Activity: Istanbul Walking Tour
Hotel: Hotel Oran Istanbul

We landed at Istanbul International Airport Arnavutköy at 9.00 am. The airport is always busy even early in the morning. For the time being only one terminal is functional in this new airport. Four out of six runways are in operation, and five concourses are home to the numerous airlines that fly from and to the airport.

(Looking for International Transfer Desk)

(Retrieving our boarding passes)

At the Transfer Desk, we obtained our boarding passes for IST-KUL for tomorrow's flight home. 

(A beautiful decoration at the Arrival Hall)

After Immigration clearance we headed to the Meet and Greet counter at Departure Gate 8. A van was already waiting to take us to our hotel.

(Meet and Greet counter for our car to the hotel)

(Waiting for the pick up)

(The interior was like a disco setup)

We are staying for only one night at the Oran Hotel located at Balabanağa, Fatih in Istanbul. Even though it was too early to check in, Mr. Fehat of the Oran Hotel provided us the room for us to rest.

 

(Oran Hotel at Balabanaga, Fatih)

(Mr. Fehat, the helpful hotel Manager)

(Our lodging for one night)

We had a refreshing shower and a much needed power nap. We have been to Istanbul many times, but to while away our free time we went for a self walking tour and walked along the tram trail to visit some of the many attractions in Istanbul. Summer in Istanbul is very hot, especially in July with the heatwave reaching a new high. We brought with us enough water to hydrate. There are plenty of drinkable water fountains scattered throughout the city to refill our water bottles.

(The hotels and streets around Oran Hotel)

(Walking along the tram track line)

(The Hassan Pasa Hani, a former caravanserai during the Ottoman period)

The Beyazit Square is one of the interesting places located in front of Istanbul University and next to the Grand Bazaar and the Old Book Bazaar. The university was built as a fortress and has a martial design because it was built by the Ministry of War back in the Ottoman Empire. 

(The Beyazit Mosque located next to the Istanbul University)

(Istanbul University founded in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II)

(Detouring to the Grand Bazaar, but it was closed on Sundays)

(Hot dog and burger for lunch)

The Grand Bazaar was constructed in 1455 under Sultan Mehmed II, making it one of the oldest and largest covered markets globally. It spans 61 covered streets and houses over 4,000 shops, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors daily. The bazaar offers a vast array of goods, including ceramics, Turkish lamps, evil eye ornaments, Turkish tea, kilim rugs, spices, and jewelry. There are literally a hundred shops surrounding the Grand Bazaar. Unfortunate for us, the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. We had not-so-tasty steamed hot dog and burger for lunch bought from the roadside vendor.

(The Grand Bazaar Beyazit Gate)

(The busy market surrounding the Grand Bazaar)

(Looking for nothing in particular)

(Attracts thousands of visitors daily)

We stopped at Sinan Pasa Madrasah in Beyazit. Sinan Pasa was the son of a peasant named Ali of Albanian origin. He served as a grand vizier five times during the reigns of Murad Ill and Mehmed I. The madrasah conducts weekly hadith and Quran memorization lessons. Weekly Quran interpretation Risale-i Nur lessons are also conducted in different languages.

(The entrance to the Sinan Pasha Medresesi)

(The Koca Sinan Pasha Mausoleum)

((The entrance to the Sinan Pasha Camii)

(A turban, characteristic of Ottoman tombstone)

(Koca Sinan Pasha Mosque Complex)

(Ancient Ottoman-era gravestones)

We arrived at the plaza next to the Blue Mosque called the Sultanahmet Square. It is one of the most iconic and historic public spaces in Istanbul. It lies between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, offering stunning views of both landmarks. The square sits on what was once the Hippodrome of Constantinople, an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium. There are a few historical monuments in the Square.  The Obelisk of Theodosius from the Egyptian origin is over 3,000 years old. The Serpent Column came from ancient Delphi, Greece and the Walled Obelisk.

(Finding our ways to the various attractions)

(The Hagia Sophia History Museum at Sultanahmet Square)

(The Hippodrome of Constantinople, the obelisks in the background)

(Column of Constantine or Burnt Pillar)

(The German Fountain known as Alman Cesmesi where we replenish our drinking water)

We visited the Sultan Hamed Camii or the Blue Mosque of Istanbul at Binbirdirek. The Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Camii, is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque. It was constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I and remains a functioning mosque today. It also attracts a large number of tourists and is one of the most iconic and popular monuments of Ottoman architecture.

(The mosque is famous for its blue tiles and six minarets)

(Set next to the Byzantine Hippodrome)

(A stunning Ottoman landmark in Istanbul)

(The central dome is surrounded by eight cascading smaller domes)

(The Blue Mosque can cater about 10,000 worshipers)

(The interior is lined with handmade ceramic tiles from İznik)

(The Blue Mosque interior view)

Next stop was at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque or Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi. It is a mosque and former church serving as a major cultural and historical site in Turkey. The last of three church buildings to be successively erected on the site by the Eastern Roman Empire, it was completed in AD 537, becoming the world's largest interior space and among the first to employ a fully pendentive dome. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have changed the history of architecture.

(It has served as a Cathedral, a Museum and a Mosque)

(A massive 32-meter wide dome)

(A beautiful fountain in front of the Hagia Sofia)

(A poster of Hagia Sofia)

We passed by the Topkapi Palace at Cankurtaran. The Topkapı Palace is a large museum and library in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul. From the 1460s to the completion of Dolmabahçe Palace in 1856, it served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, and was the main residence of its sultans. The entrance tickets are TKR 900 per pax. We did not plan to visit Topkapi Palace as it was already late in the afternoon.

(Built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror)

(Used by 25 Ottoman Sultans)

(UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985)

(Panoramic view from Topkapi Palace)

Next to the Topkapi Palace is Gulhane Park. Gülhane Park is a lush green oasis-a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. This large public park offers something for everyone, from picnics and concerts to beautiful gardens and stunning views of the Marmara Sea. Gülhane Park has been around since 1806, but it wasn't opened to the public until 1912. The park was once part of Topkapi Palace. Gülhane Park is located within walking distance of many of Istanbul's major attractions, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia Museum and Sultanahmet Square.

(Gulhane Park, the oldest public park)

(Originally part of the Topkapi Palace)

(Tulips can only be seen in Spring)

(Column of the Goths - a Proconnesian marble column from the 3rd-4th CE)

(Istanbul signage in Gulhane Park)

We walked through Gulhane Park and exited on the other end to the Bosphorus waterfront. Sarayburnu Park is a peaceful green space located at the tip of Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula, right next to Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. Overlooking the Bosphorus Strait, it offers breathtaking views, historical monuments, and a relaxing break from the bustling city. The park is home to Turkey’s first Atatürk statue, erected in 1926. The open-air terraces, wooden walkways along the shore, benches, grassy hills, and sculptures create a tranquil retreat.  In the hot blazing sun we watched the Fortuna Cruise Ship sailed out of the Marmara Sea of the Istanbul harbour at Sarayburnu. Since it is a weekend, the area near the Bosphorus was crowded with people. Locals were relaxing and having their picnics and tourists were taking pictures of the view. Everyone was enjoying the hot summer weather.

(A statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk)

(An incredible panorama view of the Bosphorus)

(Peaceful atmosphere, a good spot for a picnic)

(Costa Fortuna, a cruise ship operated by Costa Cruises)

(The sceneries are especially beautiful during sunset)

(Clear blue water of the Bosphorus)

(A cooling swim on a hot summer day)

(A large abstract sculpture at the park)

It was already sunset when we traced our way back to the hotel. We stopped at Burger King for dinner of Whopper Jr. and Burger King's Special combo sets.

(An early dinner at Burger King)

Back at the Oran Hotel in Fatih for the night after a long tiring day. Tonight we slept early and rested well. We will be leaving for the Istanbul International Airport at 11.30 am tomorrow morning.