Istanbul Challenge - The winner

[StS]

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Well, most of the historical sights, partly going back to Constantinople, are in Sultanahmet, such as the Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cisterns, the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, to name a few.

 

To travel from the Taksim place (Beyoğlu district) to Sultanahmet, one can either take the cable train F1 to Kabataş and then the tram T1 over the Galata bridge to Sultanahmet. T1 is a brand new train, which passes most of the historic sights. If I remember correctly, this trip should indeed take 30-40 mins. The alternative is the subway M2. More fun but more time consuming is taking the old T5, then the old cable train (Tünel) F2 to Karaköy to enter tram T1 there. Details can be seen here.

 

Stefan

[lanetomlane]

It would be good if possible to suggest a couple of hotels and have the majority of members stay at those. Istanbul is so big that if we all choose on our own we will end up in different hotels and logistically this will be a hassle.... Maybe our member on the ground could make some suggestions?

 

I would agree with Simon's suggestion 100%. That was one very good thing about Wetzlar, the majority of us were split between two hotels which made it superb for socialising.

 

I've not started looking at accommodation yet as I was hoping that some of you would name specific hotels before I decided.

_____________________

Regards, Tom

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[andybarton]

I believe that the hotel we have chosen has only got seven rooms, so that's probably not much help.

 

From what I can see, that part of town has dozens of hotels, so getting a suitable meeting point for people staying there shouldn't be a problem.

 

Being a complete lightweight, I vaguely recall an evening in the hotel in Sliema, Malta, where there were a few of us staying. I was in the bar with a couple of "senior members" until way past my bed-time and, ahem, didn't feel the need for breakfast the following morning. Given that the following morning was that of The Challenge, I am sure that these two hardier souls that me had ulterior motives to knacker the opposition...

 

Or maybe they just like a couple of beers

[farnz]

I believe that I may have been one of the members referred to and I can only say that there was no ulterior motive on my part. The other gent and I find that we are often the last to leave these establishments. I entirely hold the alcohol to blame.

 

Pete.

[andybarton]

I couldn't possibly comment

[Gibbo]

That confirms it then :D

[StS]

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It appears to be part of the Friday-Evening-Before-the-Challenge tradition, hanging out with the usual suspects almost gurarantees to greet Saturday morning in a bar.

 

Edit - or the conference lounge we got, after the bar-lady needed to close in Wetzlar...

 

Stefan

Edited January 15, 2014 by StS

[huzel]

You can ask all kinds of questions to me about Istanbul. I am willing to answer here in the forum or direct. Unfortunately I will not be in Istanbul during your dates. All questions are welcome.

 

Best,

Hakkı Üzel

[earleygallery]

I have been looking at flights etc., but unfortunately I am not in a position to commit at this point in time. If the prices shoot up in a few months (as they often do) then it's doubtful I'll be able to make this one.

 

Istanbul was a good choice though, it looks like a fascinating city and I'm not complaining, but I'll keep hoping for another Challenge in a city which is cheap and quick to get to/from!

 

London next year anyone

[erl]

James, I don't consider London cheap to get to or to be there!

Yes, Istanbul is a good choice.

The week before the Challenge will be the only opportunity for me to consider travelling.

[earleygallery]

James, I don't consider London cheap to get to or to be there!

Yes, Istanbul is a good choice.

The week before the Challenge will be the only opportunity for me to consider travelling.

 

Erl, you're definitely a 'special case'

 

I think if we said the One Challenge was on the moon you'd get there somehow!

[farnz]

Erl, you're definitely a 'special case'

 

I think if we said the One Challenge was on the moon you'd get there somehow!

Thank goodness.

 

Pete.

[erl]

James,

So the moon is the limit?

 

Pete,

All I can say is, I'll have a pocket full of ping pong balls with me.

(what a great foto opp!). LOL .... oopps. Sorry, that's your cue.

[earleygallery]

James,

So the moon is the limit?

 

 

I'd say so. We could try the Sun but it would mean stopping right down even with an ND filter and we don't want ugly diffraction setting in!

[farnz]

I'd say so. We could try the Sun but it would mean stopping right down even with an ND filter and we don't want ugly diffraction setting in!

Just shoot at night instead.

 

Pete.

[erl]

That's my time of day.

[christoph_d]

Dear all,

 

I herewith just wantto confirm my participation. Flight is booked, place to stay is arranged...

And please also add me (with two persons) to the prospective "evening dinner table reservation list".

 

I look forward to the challenge...

Never having been in Istanbul could you advice me which lens I should bring?

And which film?

 

See you there,

 

C.

[satijntje]

Hi all One-Challengers.

 

I can confirm my participation as well.

 

Flights are booked.

 

Arriving friday 10-10 around 17:00

Depart: Monday 13-10 around 9:00

 

So that will leave me 3 nights in IST!

 

Soo, coming home on Monday midday, and travel again 5 days later tvia IST to IZMIR for a 10 days holidays with my family :D:D

 

Any Hotel tips for IST?

 

Looking forward meeting you all there again, Wetzlar 2013 was amazing!

 

John

 

 

p.s. for those of you intend to leave from Luxembourg, flights are cheap, paid only 167 Euro both ways :-) with Turkish airlines!

 

 

You probably all know that as of 1-4-2014 it will be forbidden to drink beer in Istanbul! New Islamic law

The picture shows a young 1-C participant during his "empty beer glass training" in Wetzlar, muahhhh

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited January 23, 2014 by satijntje

[photolotse]

Hi,

Dagmar and myself have booked flights to Istanbul as well. We'll leave Hamburg/Germany on Wednesday Oct. 8th 11:30h with Turkish Airlines. We are going to stay until Oct. 15th / 15:30h.

 

No hotel booked yet.

 

Cheers,

Carsten & Dagmar

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Hallo,

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[spylaw4]

Fear not, drinkers! This from this article:

 

Hurriyet Daily News

 

The new law bans all retailers from selling alcoholic beverages at night, but not restaurants or other facilities. There are 200,000 small retailers that will be affected, according to official data.