Phenominal, afforadable public transportation Istanbul; an adventure to Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden

April 15, 2026

 

 


 Our 2nd day we utilized all forms of public transportation in Istanbul to reach the Nezahat  Gökyiğit Botanical Garden. We walked first to the

FERRY 

 


 to cross the Bosporus Strait. After stopping for a delicious  fried fish sandwich ($5/230TL), 

 



we walked to the

METRO 


 We noticed how clean and utilized the metro is as we rode 10 stops, then walked to the 

BUS


 We rode the bus to the botanical park stop only to discover that the entrance on Google was a construction site! A HUGE construction site! We weren't the only ones confused and discussed navigation with two other groups of Turks who also couldn't figure out how to get in! Neither knew the other's language, but there's enough gestures and familiar sounding words that we understood each other. We walked next to a lot of traffic around a huge clover-leaf. We knew that the gardens were nestled within the clover leafs, we just didn't realize how many underpasses and hills we'd be navigating to walk around. 





Finally we arrived at the garden entrance. 

Did you know that tulips originated in Central Asia and were a symbol for Ottomans



Nezahat Gökyigit Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located in the Atasehir district of Istanbul. Established in 1995 by Nezahat Gökyigit, it is the first botanical garden in Turkey. The garden covers an area of 50 hectares and is home to over 2000 plant species. The garden also serves as an education and research center. (visit istanbul site)

It was prime flowering fruit tree blossoms




 

TAXI

We weren't done using transportation, since we'd walked 7 miles now, we took at taxi a wine bar our friend Frank and recommended when he visited a few weeks ago.  


Ferry at night is beautiful 
 
 

and very uncrowded, I enjoyed fresh OJ 

 
 FUINICULAR 
A funicular is a cable driven railway system designed for steep slopes & I'm grateful for this by the end of a long day.


At the end of the day, we'd walked 9 miles despite all the forms of transportation we took advantage of 


 

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I need a map to navigate our Avignon rental is so spacious!

Image
 For those of you who have been in our 954 sq foot townhouse, you will understand the title of our spacious, beautifully appointed down to the Anoki napkins from Jaipur India 3 bedroom, 2 bath rental in the old city in Avignon France. We negotiated with the owner of this  https://www.sabbaticalhomes.com    flat.  Adding to this post because we're so cold, we had to learn how to use the wall electric radiators. There's one in the master bedroom & one in entry hall. None in the other bedrooms or common living areas so we really don't understand how it works.  We used the trail and error method to operate the radiator We used the trial and error method to operate the radiator Odd there there are only these two: one in master and the other entry hall.  We really should contact owners to operate correctly.  Would like to add how much I've appreciated using the 3rd bedroom as my yoga room
Read more

Wolwal Village, Alor Island Indonesia.

Image
   About 40 min from Kahabali, the village of Wolwal is a lively walk in the morning from the Alami Resort.  Not only did I have dogs run and bark at me, but also a goat!  The dog was concerningly aggressive and fortunately, a woman saw my distress and picked up a rock and shooed the dog away. I had another incident with a dog and all I had to do was pick up a rock and it put it's tail between it's legs and returned to it's home property.   Interacting with the villagers when we didn't share a same language was a memorable experience.  For example the young boy under the billboard was looking like he was having a bad day. I gestured to ask if I could snap a photo. He was agreeable and when I showed him his photo, he was beaming.   I also had a family approach me with their phone to take my photo.  Then I did a selfie with them. Everyone was joyful. It's a great way to start your day.  Observing village traditions that aren't part of my cultur...
Read more

Relaxology Kupang, an unexpected pleasure in West Timor Indonesia

Image
  Relaxology Kupang Imagine having a layover in Kupang and discovering a spa with over 5,000 reviews and a 4.9 score on Google? Open 11-9 if Google maps is accurate, they didn't answer their phone to book a reservation; we took a cab anyway to  Jl. Frans Seda No.5, Kayu Putih, Kec. Oebobo, Kota Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 85228, Indonesia and were immediately offered treatment. I chose the 2 hour Reflexology/Thai massage option for $12/50 USD.   Yanti gave me the best massage! I asked her to show her name so I could write a review. These photos make me smile and trigger happy, satisfied memories. Kupang   is the capital of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara. 
Read more