Melissa Travels Amok

19/11/2023

😂😂♥️😂😂

16/11/2023

16/11/2023

Street musician in front of Galata Tower

16/11/2023

Quote from one of my favorite photographers…it applies to everyday life, not just traveling. Experience newness every day, no matter how small.

15/11/2023

Basilica Cistern cocktail at Galista: vodka, red forest fruits, satsuma, sour orange
Fantastic!

̇stanbul

15/11/2023

15/11/2023

Lunch in Asia 😍 and this place has AMAZING food at great prices. I’m not sure what I’m eating, but it’s covered with béchamel so it had to be good! And it was!! The little fried anchovies were also delicious.
UPDATE: you haven’t had Turkish tea until you’ve had it HERE! I’ve drank gallons of tea in Istanbul, and this tea is the absolute BEST!! And I figured out what I was eating, name and description in the food pic

15/11/2023

̇stanbul

14/11/2023

Holy smokes they’re awesome

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

14/11/2023

What Turkish food do you want to see me try? I’ll do my best!
(Please…don’t ask me to do the lamb intestines 🤮)

14/11/2023

At Rainbow Cafe & Restaurant having saray kebab (a type of spicy hot stew with meat and vegetables, topped with REAL potato mash and a sprinkle of cheese)and more katmer!

13/11/2023

13/11/2023

I did it. Couldn’t help it when it’s only 3 doors down.

Had the barbeq burger, and that was probably the best hamburger I’ve ever had. The bun was a little dry and the fries were bland, but I didn’t even care. And it was among the cheapest meals I’ve had. Solid.

13/11/2023

The food is fantastic and the vibe is chill, they let me camp out to escape the rain 😄
Definitely give them a try if you’re hungry or want to relax over tea or coffee near the Hagia Sophia!

13/11/2023

Katmer is a dessert that is native Gaziantep, Turkey. It contains pistachios and clotted cream sandwiched between thin layers of crisp phyllo (for those of us in the US, clotted cream is heavy cream that’s been slowly cooked down until it becomes spreadable, and it’s ah-mazing!).

A must-eat when visiting Turkey !

13/11/2023

Hünkâr beğendi (literally, 'the sultan liked it') in ottoman cuisine, is a meat dish made with roasted eggplant, giving it a smoky flavor. The eggplant is puréed, seasoned, and thickened with béchamel sauce, then topped with cubes of sauteed or grilled marinated beef or lamb.

I had the beef, and it’s easily one of the BEST savory things I’ve eaten in Istanbul. I’ve never seen it on menus in the US, or other restaurant menus in Istanbul; I’m sure this isn’t the only place with hünkar beğendi, but they just might have the best!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

12/11/2023

Ok.
Just hear me out: tavukgöğsü: milk pudding made with chicken breast. Wait, wait, hold on a sec, it’s actually DELICIOUS!!
It was a delicacy served to Ottoman sultans in Topkapi Palace, and it’s AMAZING! It tastes just like rice pudding without the rice. No, really! If you ever visit Turkey, you must try it!

12/11/2023

Shots from my short trip to the Grand Bazaar. It was a lot of fun; I spent 4 hours there and could have spent longer but they close at 19:00!

If you don’t like to haggle, that’s fine, they’ll gladly accept asking price. They are VERY persistent but not as bad as the Egyptian bazaar, Khan Al Kahlili.

I shall return!!

12/11/2023

Wordle 876 5/6*

⬜⬜🟩🟨🟨
🟨🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

10/11/2023

Galata Tower cocktail
Delicious

̇stanbul

08/11/2023

15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge

08/11/2023

15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge

08/11/2023

15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge

08/11/2023

Photo dump

08/11/2023