Prints overload!! Topkapi Palace, ISTANBUL

Istanbul is strategically located as gateway between Europe and Asia. I didn't know what to expect before I was there, as it is also a Muslim country just like Malaysia. I thought, it would be just a few mosque, palaces and some kebab, just like Malaysia. I was so wrong when I first landed in Istanbul. The metropolitan city, the population density and everything else is so colourful! It is such a beautiful city!

As you can see from the blog of mine, it's always filled with colours. I love things that are strong in colours, in prints and bold! Istanbul has it all!

We went to Topkapi Palace on our second full-day in Istanbul. I was truly inspired by the prints and lavishness of it. Including the really huge diamond owned by the royals. It is a large palace for the Ottoman Sultans until 400 years ago.

 Look at the prints on the tiles. 

The use of colours in the palace is similar to the lavishness Malaysian Royals love to use, especially the colour yellow or gold. Perhaps, it's the arabic influence of muslim countries in these royals? I'm not sure. 

Topkapi Palace Harem is a single-storey apartment for the ladies during Ottoman legacy. It was filled with beautiful floral wall-tiles.

What I was wearing just blends into the background. This area is definitely my favourite. 

The architecture, which built centuries ago. The details of each corner was more than words could say! They are simply amazing!

The Harem is just beautiful! The use of different prints together, and perhaps has inspired many fashion designers of some sort. It's beauty was truly one of its kind. I'd say what I saw in the royals of Malaysia has no way to compete with this!! It's great that they have managed to keep all these in its original form, and these beautifully printed tiles has not been re-printed since centuries ago!

Happy 2014!

Welcome 2014!!

It's another year to look forward to. 2013 has been wonderful to me, which I think can hardly be beaten off. I shall not let down myself and there's another year of challenge to accomplish!

Cheers to the new year, another chance to get things right!!

The best is yet to come and to rise above the little things. 

Here's my favourite fireworks in London to welcome 2014! Best wishes from me to you!

Till then!


x.o.x.o
Anna

The central hub of Santorini- FIRA

Fira, is the main town of Santorini, a.k.a. Thira, that is on top of the cliff of the caldera. From its white architecture against dark rocks,  looking very much like yummy 'icing on top of chocolate cakes'. As appealing as it looks, Fira is must go with it's unique beauty different from Oia (as how I mentioned in my previous post, here and here). 

That's just me in Fira. September 2013. (Taken with Canon EOS 5D Mark II)

June 2013. Fira, the icing on top of chocolate cakes. (Canon EOS M 18-55mm)

I love the ambience of Santorini, that you just wish to relax all day, being stress-free. The people there are too, very laid back. Wandering through steps of small little streets, looking at many Santorini's unique produce or arts, just hold your heart back, but they can be extremely overpriced. For a thrifty traveller like myself, I would not land myself in expensive arts pieces and jewelleries. If you're there for honeymoon, if it's a gift from your love one, I'd say why not?

Overlooking Caldera from Fira. September 2013. (Taken with Canon EOS M)

Spotted, Oia on the very end of the island. September 2013. (Taken with Canon EOS M)

One of the largest 'main street' on Fira, where you can see the caldera, churches and some shops. September 2013 (Taken with Canon EOS M)

Oops!! I've been missing out!

Dearest blog readers, 

I've been really busy with MSc work in university which is the main reason I've been idle from blogging for more than a month now!  

I'm so sad that I do not have the time to blog but if you wish to follow more of my updates while I'm idle, follow my Instagram account: anna_bong_

These are some of the papers I've been reading almost everyday and producing lots of writing in a short period of time. Nevertheless, it may looked like boring stuff but I'm actually enjoying the process of knowing more from the subject. 

I'm a traveller and a geek too! Hahah! 

Anyway I'll blog real soon, as my coursework finishing soon! 

Till then! 

x.o.x.o

Anna

Life's a Beach! The Red, White and Black Beaches in SANTORINI

Who doesn't love the beach? 

The Red Beach. September 2013, taken by dad with Canon EOS 5d Mark II

Many countries around the world are famous for its unique sandy beaches, like Boracay in Philippines, Cannes of France, Ibiza of Spain, etc. 

I personally find beaches in Santorini particularly near Akrotiri to be truly rare and unique, hence the name given for the beaches - Red Beach, White Beach and Black Beach. Akrotiri is the place to go, if you wish to know the archaeological part of the isle, as there's an archaeological museum. 

On my first trip there in June, all I can expect from reading various blogs online is that we have to go through a rocky cliffs to get down to the Red Beach. It wasn't easy for two girls to be honest. One way for getting to the beach through Akrotiri is not too long a walk away. Follow the crowd. For those who drive, there's a small area where you can park your car/ATV when you go to the beach. 

The rocky path to the Red Beach. Taken on September 2013, by my dad with Canon EOS 5D Mark II

We were amazed by the beauty of the red rocks on the cliffs with mixture of colours, and overlook the turquoise crystal-clear water of the Aegean Sea.

The Legendary Sunset in Oia, SANTORINI

Just as you google-search for things to do in Santorini, one of it would be to view the sunset from Oia. It is just as important as how you need to ride on a camel on a trip to Egypt. 

Taken in September 2013. (Camera: Canon EOS M)

Oia's sunset is famous for the sun sinking into the horizon without obstruction. The sunset is described by many as majestic, magnificent, breathtaking, etc. It is something you definitely has to see with your own eyes that not a single photo would do it's justice.

The elaborate architecture of Oia (see more in my previous blog post) has a different set of emotion when the golden orange rays from sunset reflected on the white buildings.

 Taken in September 2013. (Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II)

The best place to watch sunset would be from the castle-ruin of Oia. Beware, it will be crammed with photographer, photography-enthusiast and tourist even if you go early. People would stand there for hours. To be honest, looking at the number of people massed at that area would kill any romantic feelings you have towards the golden sunset.

Oia, SANTORINI: Nothing but 'WOW!'

I believe many of you have seen the movie, Mamma Mia or perhaps Sisterhood of Travelling Pants? The scenic side of Greek island were filmed in the enchanted Santorini (formally known as Thira), Greece.

June 2013 (Photo taken with Canon EOS M)

I was so lucky to have visited that beautiful island (twice!) recently. The most talk-about postcard view would be from a small town (or more likely a village) called Oia (pronounced as 'ee-yaa', omit the pronounciation of 'O'). The blue waters of Aegean Sea, cloudless sky and Greek hospitality definitely give travelers a truly unforgettable vacation. Having been to many cities with the hustle bustle of traffic or lavishness, Santorini is the place to get away from that to relax your mind. 

(Photo taken by my dad with Canon 5D Mark II)

During my trip there, we stayed just outside Oia in Anemoessa Villa (June 2013) and Atlantida Villas (September 2013), both gave us easy access to Oia. Atlantida Villas has a better gateway to Oia, through a pedestrian-only footway from the front of the villa overlooking calderas while making our way to Oia, which is a short walk away. As for public transport, the only option to get to Oia would be from the main town, Fira. This service runs approximately every 20-30 minutes or every hour after 8 or 9pm. Wherever you would like to go in Santorini, always have to go through Fira. Otherwise, one could take the taxi or rent a car/bike/ATV. 

 Atlantida Villas, September 2013. (Photo taken by my dad with Canon 5D Mark II)

 September 2013. On our way to Oia from our villa. (Photo taken by my dad with Canon 5D Mark II)

 The view from our villa, on our way walking to Oia. (Photo taken by my dad with Canon 5D Mark II)

The village of Oia has population of under 4000, this settlement has began circa 15th to 19th century. When we went for the volcanic island tour in June, the informative tour guide of ours mentioned the earliest house were painted pink/peach instead of the stark white architecture against the blackish volcanic island. 

 September 2013. Yours truly. (Photo taken by my dad with Canon 5D Mark II)

  September 2013. Look at the cloudless sky and sapphire blue Aegean Sea. (Photo taken by my dad with Canon 5D Mark II)

  June 2013. (Photo taken with Canon EOS M)

 June 2013. (Photo taken with Canon EOS M)

Oia is quite small that you can't possibly get lost, with just one main street. As soon as you get into Oia, you will be 'WOW-ed' by the idyllic architecture with blue-domed white buildings. It is simply magical. There's a reason behind it's architectural domed-roof, that is to let rainwater runs down and not accumulated, presumably the drainage system would be a huge problem on the island. Speaking of that, we tried to boil water from the tap, and it turns out to be salty as the main source of water on the island would be from the sea.