# 5 Koç Museum

Finally it is time for the Koc Transportation Museum!

This by far is probably one of my boy's favorite things in Istanbul. We have been as a family a few times, and they have each had the opportunity to go on fieldtrips 

with their classes as well, which they loved.

An amazing collection of cars, trucks, trains, boats, airplanes and even a submarine!

Throw in some other awesome features like a great engineering type exhibit, 

with cool history of electronics and machines, 

and a fantastic children's discovery floor 

and you pretty much have little boy heaven!

The closest he'll probably ever be to a Rolls...

Here is the royal train car that carried the Sultans and their family all over Europe in the day. 

A picture with a bright green 1935 Bentley? Yes, Please!

 Here is the best part of the museum in my opinion-

the Koc Museum is home to THE flying car from Harry Potter. 

I didn't get a good picture of it, but if you watch the movie you can see even the 

same license plate number. It is set up at an angle to give you the affect, 

and the clip from the movie runs on repeat next to it! 

I guess this is quite the rare car to find in real life. 

Out by the boats, we got to see some very big anchors!

The excitement wore Ronan out apparently.

Mr. Koc is a HUGE collector I guess of anything and everything transportation related. We haven't had a chance to take the boys to London yet, but hey-

London came to us!

They also have a downed B-24 Liberator named "Hadley's Harem" that was 

shot down in World War II near Turkey. It was recovered from the seabed and brought here. 

It is pretty amazing to see.

Multiple men lost their lives on this plane. 

I always find it important to be able to teach the boys about events like these, and help them understand the deeper things in life.

 I could go on and on, and have oodles of more pictures-but I'll leave you with one last bit of fun.

I have no idea what kind of car this is; 

but apparently Noah's grandparents owned one just like it years and years ago. 

I loved to imagine them buzzing around in this thing!

This is a fantastic museum, and a family favorite. I'm so glad we were able to find such a great place here in Istanbul to entertain our kiddos so perfectly. 

# 6 Basilica Cistern

Yes. I did get a little behind. What can I say, I've been an organizing and sorting fool the last few days!

In any case, now I'm back on track. Here it is, number six.

The awe-inspiring, beautiful and a little bit spooky Basilica Cistern!

The Basilica Cistern is located just below the Old City, in the Sultanahmet area. 

It is a huge and cavernous, and just seems to go on and on. 

Imagine it once filled completely with water.

It was laid out in 532 by the Emperor Justinian, to accommodate the growing needs of the area.

It is held up by 336 columns, each over 26ft high.

The conquering Ottomans did not even know of it's existence for more than a century, and it is said that it was only rediscovered when people started to question why they could draw water, and even fish from holes in their floors above it! Go figure, huh?

In any case, it is such a unique place. And incredibly beautiful. They have it all lit up and it is fantastic! Most of the water is now drained, but there remains enough in the bottom for numerous creepy giant goldfish types that swim around. 

It is also INCREDIBLY hard to get many decent photos down here, 

so half of these are credit of my friend Kesli and her sister Jenny when they came to visit. 

(She has a great camera, and knows how to use it. bonus!) 

I made sure to get them from their memory card before they left.

Who wouldn't want to follow a sign like that?!

Many of the columns seem to be "pieced" together, a tribute I guess

 to their great ability to pillage and plunder. 

There are two that are made with Medusa heads. One is upside down, and one is on it's side. 

There are endless speculations as to why they were placed that way, 

but I'm just glad she won't be turning any of us into stone anytime soon 

(as she might if they were right side up?)

Porter is my little poser lately, 

and Miles was a little bit sick of the whole adventure I guess at that point!

This last picture, is a reflection of the columns in the water. 

If you look closely, you can see the marble floor lining the bottom. 

The whole thing was a major feat of engineering at the time, 

and it is even more amazing to me that it is still in the condition it is in! 

Truly an incredible and unique piece of history, and well worth the trip any time! 

We have probably taken more of our guests here than any other place, because it just so unique, and a little bit off of the "super touristy" radar, so the crowds are not quite* as bad.

# 7 Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's most famous sites. Next to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, it is one of the most famous in the World.  It is situated right downtown in the old city, and can be seen from miles away. It is a major mark of the skyline, and it looks so beautiful from the water especially.

My favorite part, however is the inside.

 It is covered in the most beautiful blue toned Iznik tiles. TONS of them! 

The stained glass windows are also so beautiful!

Being a place where we want to show respect for other's beliefs, you are asked to cover yourself when going inside, and as long as you don't arrive during prayers, the wait is usually not too terribly long to get in.  It has a beautiful courtyard as well, which is all worth a stop in to see.

# 8 Istanbul Akvaryum

Porter and Poseidon-

that's pair to be reckoned with!

As I mentioned earlier this month, Istanbul has some terrific Aquariums! The new Istanbul Akvaryum is supposedly the largest in Europe! My boys LOVE all things animal and water, so this has been a terrific find for us. It opened up while we were here and we have gone several times. It is a beautiful brand new facility that is right on the coast. It has a great cafe and amazing views!

Who doesn't love a good shark tunnel?

See through floor are also a great idea for the kiddos

Not only is it right on the water, but that happens to be the stretch of land right by the airport.

 Double the fun, the kids loved to watch the airplanes come in over the water!

Think Istanbul's Version of Gravely Point…

(credit for this photo goes to my great friend Laura, 

as I seemed to be terrible at getting a good airplane shot)

They have great exhibits, including this one with a real live iceberg

 that the kids loved to touch and play with.

Daddy and Porter with Poseidon

the family enjoying the view! 

I think my favorite thing about this aquarium was the way that they have tied the ocean life together with the history of the area. It has been beautifully arranged with photographs, statues and tons of informational plaques about the amazing nautical history of the area and how it ties in and has effected all of the ocean life.  They have statues of several of the Greek greats that are fun to pose with too.

Porter and Hercules

They have replica shipwrecks of historical finds

And, they have a whole rainforest/ fresh water section at the end of the tour.

Here is Porter being a Piranha. Silly Boy.

My boys and me hanging out on the rainforest trail.

We have loved getting to enjoy our fishie friends at this beautiful aquarium!

Great memories for sure.

Goodbye Grade 1. We will miss you!

 (Let's hope that his last day of school picture every year doesn't come with a cast! We are two for two so far)

I'm going to interrupt my Top 10 list to make sure I include some important goodbyes.

Porter has officially finished another fantastic school year!

I can't believe he is now no longer a 1st grader. boo.

He is getting so big, way to fast. I am not old enough to have a child entering second grade am I?

In any case, it was a fantastic year (couple of years actually). We have had a great experience with his school and we will all miss it immensely. He has made some terrific friends, and had amazing teachers.

At their class party a few days before the last day of school they made these great t-shirts with everyone's hand prints. They all wore them on the last day of school, and all looked so cute.

Him with his some of his buddies at the class party

At a Turkish fire station on one of their fieldtrips 

(me messing with the settings again, this was all I got)

I love reminders like this that we are not in America!

When parents are asked to bring in treats to share-

We've got sushi, borek and brownies all together. yumm

And in very fitting fashion, he finished the year off right with a 

good game of football outside with his pals! Right in time for Euro 2012!

He has been such a trooper, and this is a great learning experience for him. 

However, I know that he is really sad about leaving. 

He has had a magical little world with a group of kids, who by all account got along SO well. 

His teacher commented that she had never had a group of kids who got on better with each other! 

I'm so glad he has made such great memories here in Turkey, as it makes all the moving around worth it if there are amazing memories to come along too.

I think my favorite thing he has gained from his school experience here though are the phrases he has picked up! I am really hoping that he doesn't lose them all next year in America!

Being around an international community of kids, a few of the things he now says all the time are:

I need to go to the "washroom"- not the bathroom or restroom

He calls the Air Conditioning the "Air Con"

If we need him to do something quickly, he says "Ok Mom, I'll do it "straight away"

He also doesn't get irritated with people, he gets "cross"-

the last one is my favorite when he's mad at me! He storms up the stairs saying

"You are making me so cross Mom!" too cute, I can't help but chuckle.

 (when he's safely in timeout in his room of course in these situations!)

Way to go Porter, now onto Grade 2 and your first All American school year!

#9 Egyptian Spice Bazaar and Eminonu

The Spice Bazaar and surrounding Eminonu neighborhood are a fantastic find in Istanbul.

 While the Grand Bazaar is fabulous in it's own right, for tons of items-

the Spice Bazaar is the "food bazaar", Porter calls it.

There are piles and piles of beautifully displayed spices, 

Turkish delight, and an amazing variety of dried fruits and nuts. 

It is also home to the "olive oil" vendors of the city-

as Turkey is definitely smack in the middle of Olive Country!

They are also not shy about offering samples of 

anything that catches your eye, (and things that don't) ha!

It is an experience all it's own for all of your 5 senses.

Here Miles and I are sampling my favorite Turkish delight to date:

Pomegranate Pistachio!

You'll notice that it is hot pink and lime green?

Maybe that is a large part of the reason it is my favorite, just maybe.

Porter's class came here on a field trip when they were doing a unit on the 5 senses!

I love that they got to come to such awesome, historical places like this.

He, being the classic 5 year old that he was at the time- thought it was a bit much for his little senses!

He was a good sport, as they had all the children sample the treats,and smell the spices. 

More treats

Aside from the food, the area also boasts many of the 

same things you can find at the Grand Bazaar; BUT for a much cheaper price. 

If you are looking to buy numerous knick knacks and such, 

then this is where you want to come. 

You will always get a better deal in this area, according to my experience.

The Eminonu area right around the Spice Bazaar 

is THE place in the city to find whatever it is you need. 

More times than I can count, when I have asked someone

 where I could find a certain item-the answer is always the same: Eminonu. 

There is anything and everything you want, from cake decorating shops to huge selections of soccer jerseys from all around the world. 

Us by the "fancy" Turkish delight. This is made with extra honey instead of sugar. 

It is supposed to last much longer (but it's also much more expensive!)

All in all, a unique fun experience -that also comes with great shopping. 

Definitely the best deals on most things I've scored in the city. 

As a side note: They also spent a good deal of time recently filming the new James Bond movie that is due out in November (I think) here in this area. It was all closed off for a while. Can't wait to see it!

#10 Pera

So up first in my top ten list is Pera! The Pera area actually.

 This is just on the other side of the Golden Horn and for the purpose of this post 

I'm including it to mean the area of Istiklal Caddesi with it's beautiful buildings and many Consulates, fantastic shopping and restaurants, the Galata Tower.

 AND my main two favorite things- 

the Historic Tram that runs up and down Istiklal Caddesi 

and the Pera Palace Hotel!

Here is Porter standing by the tram, and then riding inside with the
beautiful authentic blue glass that closes the door to the conductor.

 It comes complete with the hand crank wheel, and dingly bell. 

It just goes up and back, but it is a fantastic little ride that takes you back in time! 

A hit with kiddos any day. 

Now for the legendary Pera Palace Hotel.

Absolutely beautiful!

It was built in 1892 to cater to passengers on the Orient Express, and it has changed little since then. It was recently completely restored, and it is gorgeous!

It has hosted numerous VIP's including Queen Elizabeth II, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alfred Hitchcock, Josephine Baker, Greta Garbo, Ataturk, Ernest Hemingway, and Agatha Christie.

Agatha Christie is alleged to have written her famous 

Murder on the Orient Express while staying there.

It boasts a great restaurant, the original hotel bar, and a fantastic French Patisserie! We have only eaten at the patisserie, but it was AMAZING. The milk chocolate and vanilla eclair pictured above, specifically was THE BEST eclair I have EVER eaten! 

Everything I ever ate there was also delicious.

It is decorated with beautiful period furniture, 

and they give you the full service with the china and the silver! 

It's so great to pamper yourself every now and again, 

you know. to treat yourself like the rich and famous of yesteryear!

They also have this gorgeous working antique elevator, 

and if the attendant is on duty you can get a ride in style!

It is just a beautiful place, and so fun to visit for a little historical flavor

 (and actual delicious French pastry flavor) every now and again!

The Pera area was once known as "Little Europe", and it is just a fun area to stroll and explore in. It also has great access to the Metro, so it gets an A in our book any day.