Oh Travelling Muslimah – Amazing Turkey

Many people who are going overseas will choose Turkey as a fourth destination, especially people who don’t know about it, they will think Turkey is a poor country similar to other Muslim countries in the world. Actually Turkey is a wonderful country.

My boss asked me to go to Turkey, many years ago, and I followed him, I wasn’t really interested back then, and I didn’t prepare anything, even coats or gloves, and I was very surprised when I arrived there, it was very different to what I had anticipated. Since then all my thoughts about Turkey are totally different.

Turkey is amazing, I never imagined, the first time I went there that I would I fall in love with Turkey, I did not have such a strong feeling when I visited Paris and people said that is that most romantic place in the world. I was also indifferent feeling when I arrived in Holland (maybe because they colonialized Indonesia  hundreds of years ago~ha ha ), but I fell heavily in love with Turkey.

Turkey is a wonderful country, it is a very beautiful and romantic place, with nice weather. It has Tulip flowers, with beautiful old aristocratic buildings, and friendly people, with regards to food, it is delicious and the history of Turkey is varied and interesting. However, what amazed me most, above everything else about Turkey is it is a Muslim country. That really surprised me!

'The Blue Mosque' by Tina Amalia
‘The Blue Mosque’ by Tina Amalia

Wherever we go, we see many couples holding their hand tightly and they tend to make other single tourist feel jealous of them. Men in Turkey are famous for being loyal partners. It is uncommon for them to have affairs.

Another interesting fact is that Tulip flowers were founded in Turkey not from Holland and one scientist biologist from Dutch took tulips from Turkey and brought it to Dutch and declared their country as the home of Tulips.

Inside the Blue Mosque, Istanbul by Tina Amalia
Inside the Blue Mosque, Istanbul by Tina Amalia

 

Turkey is the most beautiful country all over Europe;) in my opinion. Because Turkey is mixed from Asia and Europe, Turkey is in between Asia and Europe, and they separated by one gulf, named Bosporus. Last hundreds years ago, people in Asia would across Bosporus gulf if they went to land in Europe, so did European, if they wanted to go to Asia, people would come across Bosporus‘s gulf, that process made Turkey as a bounder country was very rich.

For Indonesian or Asian citizen, if they want to go to Europe, maybe it will be difficult to get visa, because it is expensive for the average citizen, takes a long time to process, and cumbersome. But if people want to go and see Europe first then they can go into Turkey. It will be more than enough, no need visa, they will get visa on arrival with cheap price, for comparison: visa to France : Rp2.000.000,- (around US$ 200), and the visa to Turkey Rp250.000 (or US$ 25). Around 1/8 cheaper.

If we compare it with other European countries that using Euro, Turkey’s lira is very cheap. Euro: Rp 24,000, Turkey : Rp. 5,000. ~ Rp. 5,000 is equal with 50 cents Australian/American’s dollars.With 1 lira, people will get a small glass of pure fresh orange. Or for a more up to date exchange rate click here.

The most exotic thing is the history that make people feel enthusiastic to visit Turkey, there are a lot of historical places, from Rome empire and the latest was Turkey ustmani emperor, until 1924.

'Topkapi Palace' by Tina Amalia
‘Topkapi Palace’ by Tina Amalia

So many interesting places that we can visit in Turkey, of course with ignorant tourist guides who tell fake stories about Turkey’s emperor. Yes, I know one of the ability of tourist guide is telling made up stories are to entice tourists to feel captivated and interested. One travel guide tells one of the kings, named Sultan Mahmoud IV who had many wives and thousands of harems (girl slaves).  He would throw out any one of his wives or harems to the sea. This is quite a sensational story.

One of my other favorite places is the Dolmabache palace, Kingdom palace which was converted into be a museum, it is named TOPKAFI.  This place houses the original cane/stick belonging to the Prophet Musa which he used to part the sea.  Also the cap of the Prophet Jacob’s and many more artifacts.

In general, Turkey is very interesting place to visit, but you must go with me for getting the real true story, that amaze you, what for we go to one interesting historical place if we only get a story that’s full of lies ..? Or, if you are going without me check out some amazing information for Muslim Travelers here.


 

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