Public transport in Istanbul comprises a bus network, various rail systems, funiculars, and maritime services to serve the 13 million inhabitants of the city.Rental cars in Reykjavik are generally considered to be expensive and are therefore not as commonly used by tourists as rental cars in other areas. Route 1 Car Rental ( www.route1.is ) Budget ( www.budget.is) and ( www.avis.com) are rental companies which are commonly used by people who do decide to rent a vehicle in the area. Renting a bicycle or walking in local areas is actually a much more common method by which travelers get around the area.

The Arab man sitting next to me snapped his fingers for attention. "Don't do that. Don't do that. That is very rude. What do you want?", retorted the stewardess from the Malaysian Airlines flight to Istanbul. He was shocked, and so was I by the spontaneity of the flight attendant.

Istanbul is one of the world's largest cities by population. I remember taking a cruise along Bosphorus 15 years ago. The images of Sultan Ahmed Mosque and Hagia Sophia are still very clear on my mind as the plane descended on the runway at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.

Ramadan falls on the third week of July this year in the Islamic world, and the vast majority of people across Turkey are Muslim. A lot of restaurants are closed during the day, although there are a few which are open to serve the non-Muslim community. With the scorching hot July weather, people are seen preserving their energy by resting under shades throughout the city. The mosque is a good place to hide from the sun during the day. Mosques are seen almost everywhere with most designs primarily from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. With more than 2,000 active mosques in Istanbul alone, it is better to visit the major ones if you are only here for a few days . One fine example is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It is overwhelming in size with six minarets along with eight domes and a main one.

On the opposite side of the mosque is Hagia Sophia. A former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, and later a mosque, it is now a museum in Istanbul. The museum is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. It is richly decorated with mosaics, and it is filled with holy relics, paintings, and artifacts. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque and Hagia Sophia are two of the most recognizable monuments in Istanbul. Just right behind Hagia Sophia, lies Topkapi Palace, the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. It may be a good idea to go on a weekday as it can be very crowded on weekends. Overlooking Istanbul Bogazici (Bosphorus) and the Marmara Sea, you can enjoy a nice view on the Asian side of Istanbul.

When it comes to shopping, Istanbul is never short of places to go. The Grand Bazaar and Taksim Square are two major shopping areas. The Grand Bazaar has over 3,000 shops, and it is a shopping haven for both locals and tourists alike with merchandise ranging from Turkish rugs to leather goods and jewelries. Walking through the Grand Bazaar is like walking through a maze of small alleys with hidden treasures. And remember before you head out to the Grand Bazaar, don't leave home without your American Express. Taksim Square is the location of the Monument of the Republic. Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) is the major long pedestrian shopping street that connects to other side streets and passages. The most interesting part of these streets and passages is that they lead you to a whole new world. I have seen hidden restaurants, cafes, specialties stores, and even a market that sells fresh produce.

Istanbul can be a very nice city to walk around on a clear day. With a pair of comfortable shoes, I would recommend anyone to take the tram (TR1) to Tophane and wonder around the surrounding including the Galata Tower which provide a magnificent view of the Golden Horn. I find that fresh orange juice is best to quench thirst, and it cost only $1.

The Galata Bridge is the heart of Istanbul, spanning the Golden Horn from Karaköy on the north to Old Istanbul, centered on Sultanahmet, on the south. It is not too far from the Tower. On one side of the bridge, ferries are busy transporting passengers to their destinations. And, on the other side, there are floating restaurants, street performers, and vendors. On the top deck, the bridge is full of anglers from one end to the other, while the lower deck are mostly restaurants.

Ramadan usually last 29-30 days which begins daily at dawn and ends at sunset. Young and old mingle at store-front before sunset. Friends and families gather at restaurants to break fast for the day. While children are playing nearby, the elder chat with one another in park benches. There is a strong sense of community bonding here.

The city has changed quite a bit since my last visit. It is more crowded than ever. Public transportation has improved with tram, metro, light rail, bus, funicular and maritime all serving more than 13 million inhabitants. Modern skyscrapers are slowly changing the skyline. These changes remind me of the days when Malaysian Airlines was one of the top airlines in the world. But today, this is no longer true. The inflight entertainment is as old as the days when cellphone is like a 10-pound block of brick. The service is as bad as the food. And, lastly, the appearance of the flight attendant who snapped at the poor Arab man needs to get her hair extension a thorough blow and style before she starts her next shift the next time.