Istanbul, You Have a Piece of My Heart!

Some trips are planned. Some are dreamed of. And then there are those that turn into an entire Netflix series — comedy, drama, suspense, missing belongings, unexpected friendships and plot twists you never signed up for!

My trip to Türkiye was all of that. And more.

It began when Pakistan Media Club (PMC) offered me two choices: Baku or Istanbul. Having already visited Baku, I chose Türkiye. But honestly, Istanbul had been on my wishlist for quite some time. I genuinely wanted to experience its history, culture and magnificent architecture.

So when the opportunity finally came, I was beyond excited.

Little did I know that the journey would be just as memorable as the destination!

Karachi, Bahrain and the Walking Zombies!

Our adventure began from Islamabad to Karachi, where we met fellow journalists from Lahore, Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar, and Chitral, representing respected media organisations across Pakistan.

Some were familiar faces. Others were strangers. Who knew these people would become one of the most beautiful parts of this journey?

Before our international flight, we squeezed in a quick Karachi beach (Clifton) visit.

“Pani ganda tha. Bohut ganda tha!” 😂

But did that stop us? Absolutely not!

From walking into the waves to riding a mini truck-like trolley and struggling to wash our sandy feet afterwards, we enjoyed every ridiculous moment.

Then came Bahrain.

THIRTEEN HOURS OF LAYOVER!

After a proper battle, our group of four secured four food vouchers. Two went towards KFC, and two were saved for breakfast. Financial management at its finest! 😎

And how could I forget that unforgettable Rs1,400 water bottle?

FOURTEEN HUNDRED RUPEES.

FOR WATER!

FOR A SMALL BOTTLE!!!

Bahrain was already testing our patience, sleep schedules and now, apparently, our bank balances too! 😂

The rest of the night? Wandering from one airport corner to another like “zinda laashein”!

Whoever found a sofa claimed it. Others settled in the mosque. By morning, we had developed a newfound appreciation for comfortable beds.

“Allah Allah kar ke,” Türkiye finally happened!

Istanbul, You Beautiful Thing!

Our first evening began with Turkish cuisine… hmm… delicious, different and definitely less spicy than our Pakistani taste buds expected.

“Yaar, thori mirch hi daal detay!” 😂

But before we could properly begin exploring Istanbul, there were a few survival challenges, starting from the airport — Vodafone SIM mishaps, hotel and room settlements, figuring out metro cards, deciding where and what to eat, and navigating a completely unfamiliar city.

And once we finally figured things out, there was no stopping us!

Buses, trams, metros, trains, ferries, underground shuttles — we tried almost everything!

What impressed me most was Istanbul’s connectivity. Public transport makes exploring the city remarkably convenient, with trams moving alongside cars and historic neighbourhoods seamlessly connected to modern infrastructure.

And the people? In many places, I noticed a quieter, more composed public atmosphere. Everyone seemed comfortable minding their own business.

There was something beautiful about that rhythm.

Istanbul was busy, yet somehow peaceful.

Albayrak Media: Journalism Beyond Borders

Our visit to Albayrak Media Group was another memorable experience.

As journalists, exploring its newspaper operations and digital platforms gave us an opportunity to see how Turkish media is reaching audiences beyond national borders.

Its multilingual outreach across five languages particularly caught my attention. It was fascinating to see how journalism can connect different cultures through print and digital storytelling.

A professional learning experience in the middle of our travel madness!

Where History Meets Faith

Istanbul’s historical landmarks were among the experiences I had anticipated most.

Hagia Sophia, completed in 537 AD, has witnessed Byzantine and Ottoman rule, serving as a cathedral, mosque and museum before reopening as a mosque in 2020.

The magnificent Blue Mosque, with its six minarets and beautiful blue tiles, was another unforgettable sight.

But Topkapi Palace touched something deeper.

Once home to Ottoman sultans, the palace houses extraordinary imperial collections and sacred relics traditionally associated with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the “Khulafa-e-Rashideen.”

Swords attributed to the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Prophet’s blessed footprint, strands of his beard and hair, and other personal belongings were among the remarkable displays.

The talismanic shirts, inscribed with Quranic verses and prayers and traditionally associated with spiritual protection, were equally fascinating.

But what truly moved me was the continuous live recitation of the Holy Quran inside the Sacred Relics Chamber.

For a moment, everything else disappeared.

The exhaustion. The noise. The excitement of being a tourist.

“Emaan taza ho jata hai.”

You stand there, listening to the Quran, and for a little while, you feel as though you have become part of history itself.

A part of me stayed behind in those sacred chambers.

And perhaps that is what travelling does. You return home, but never completely.

Constantinople’s Walls and a Sunset to Remember

On our way to the Bosphorus ferry, we stopped to take pictures in front of the ancient Walls of Constantinople.

Built primarily in the fifth century, these walls defended the Byzantine capital for centuries before the Ottoman conquest in 1453.

What fascinated me was how the surviving walls stood alongside modern roads, preserved while everyday life continued around them.

Imagine taking pictures in front of 1,500 years of history!

And then came our two-hour sunset ferry ride on the Bosphorus.

The magnificent bridge, the skyline, the mosques, the breeze and the sun slowly disappearing into the water.

Pure magic!

Some moments are too beautiful for photographs. You simply live them and hope your heart remembers every detail.

Cappadocia was on our itinerary, but rain had other plans.

Disappointing? Yes.

Princes’ Islands: Childhood Reloaded!

Then came Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands.

Colourful houses, charming architecture, peaceful streets and a beautiful little bazaar — it felt like another world.

And we rented bicycles!

Suddenly, we weren’t journalists carrying deadlines and responsibilities.

We were children again, cycling through quiet streets, laughing and enjoying the simplest pleasures.

The nighttime ferry ride back across the Sea of Marmara was equally magical.

Despite the cold, we sat outside. The water kept pulling us towards it, while seagulls flew alongside our ferry.

We took countless pictures, laughed endlessly and wished the journey could last a little longer.

Meanwhile, Our Belongings Had Their Own Travel Plans! 🤦‍♀️

Passports. Phones. Bags. Money.

At different points, something or the other decided to go missing!

Some things returned. Others apparently chose to extend their Turkish vacation.

Every time we thought, “Bas, ab aur kya ho sakta hai?” life had another surprise waiting.

The Best Souvenirs Were the People ❤️

Eventually, it was time to return home.

And yes, Bahrain welcomed us with another exhausting layover!

But this time, we were carrying something far more valuable than our luggage.

Memories. And friendships.

People I had known professionally became people I genuinely connected with. Somewhere between shared meals, sleepless nights, late-night sitting, a real late-night walk in search of water bottles, ferry rides and collective “khawari,” the formalities disappeared.

We arrived as journalists from different corners of Pakistan and returned with friendships I will always cherish.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Not the exhaustion. Not the confusion. Not even those ridiculously long walks.

Okay, maybe the water bottle! 😁

Because somewhere between all that chaos, laughter and adventure, we created memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.

Istanbul gave me the trip I had been dreaming about. But the people gave me memories I never knew I needed.

Thank you, Pakistan Media Club, and everyone who became part of this beautiful madness.

Some journeys are measured in kilometres. Others in passport stamps.

This one will always be measured in laughter, friendships and moments I wish I could relive just once more.

Not the layovers, though. Never the layovers! 😂

What a trip. What a madness. What a memory! ❤️

“Görüşmek üzere!!” (Until we meet again)