🇹🇷 "Finally, I reached the capital of the world: Istanbul" ✨

The city stole my heart with its beauty... and tested my patience with its scams! After exhausting European travels, I embraced a chill mode here—no expensive tickets, just vibes. 🚇 Transport Tips • New Airport → City: Take M11 metro (⚠️ both directions share one platform + zero signal underground) • Bosphorus Cruise: Turyol Eminönü (250 TL/2hrs) – Too long! Freezing winds ruined the romance. Better option: Short sunset ferry for photos + night views! 🏛️ Free "Cheat Codes" • Hagia Sophia: Skip the ticket – shoot from Seven Hills Restaurant rooftop (feed seagulls for epic shots!) • Galata Tower Views: Sip Turkish coffee at Galata Konak Cafe (40-50 TL) with strait vistas ☕ 🚫 Tourist Traps • Istiklal Street: Cute trams ✅ | Overpriced shops ❌ • Cats: The real rulers of Istanbul! 🐈 (Coin-operated feeders everywhere) 🍽️ Honest Food Reviews 🌯 Dürüm MAX Zurna Dürüm: Juicy kebabs (20-30 TL) 🍛 Imkonezya: Authentic Indonesian nasi campur (50 TL) – Asian-approved! 🐟 Kiyi Balik: Street fish cakes (meh, 30 TL) 🚫 Balkan Restaurant: Rude staff + tiny portions (50 TL) 🌽 Street corn/bread: Skip unless starving! 🛡️ Scam Shield 1️⃣ Airport: No shopping/exchange! 2️⃣ "Helpful" locals: Ignore metro card "assistance" 3️⃣ Cash: Withdraw max 1,000 TL (16 RMB fee) – most take Visa 4️⃣ Groceries: Carrefour/Şok for cheap water/snacks #IstanbulDiaries #TurkeyTravel #NoScamZone