Istanbul

First Impression of Istanbul!

Modern Mosque on our route in

View over the Bosphorus

Hotel car-parker will be given our keys no more…

Topkapi Palace Harem

Fireplace, Topkapi Palace Harem

Contrast of original/restored paintwork, Topkapi Palace Harem

“Harem” meaning forbidden… so, a forbidden area in the forbidden part of the Palace…

Iznik Tiles, Topkapi Palace

Iznik Tiles, Topkapi Palace Harem

Topkapi Palace Harem

Topkapi Palace – Iznik Tiles

Original 11th Century ceiling in the Princes’ Quarters in Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace

Tree in the Topkapi Palace Gardens, with small child (not Harry – the other one)

A sneaky non-flash photo of the famous Topkapi Dagger while Harry distracted the guard… 3 MASSIVE emeralds right there.

Parakeet in the Topkapi Palace Gardens

One in a row of many lions in the Topkapi Palace Gardens

Outpost building outside the Topkapi Palace

The idea is that everything in the world from the electrons round an atom to the world itself, rotates, so the dance is symbolic of creating unity with nature and the cosmos…

Whirling Dervishes at Galata Mevlevihanesi, Beyoglu

The Whirling Dervish Master – he rotate no more

Whirling Dervishes at Galata Mevlevihanesi in Beyoglu

Whirling Dervishes at Galata Mevlevihanesi, Beyoglu

Getting ready to whirl…

Beautiful light through the city sprawl

Outside the Dolmabahçe Palace – the Sultan moved here c. 1850

What a blast…

Harry and Perry, Rhi’s friend wandering a typical backstreet in Beyoglu

The Spice Bazaar

Panoramic view from the Marmara Hotel roof – the highest point in Beyoglu, overlooking Sultanahmet across the Bosphorus.

Gazing in wonder – my first mosque experience

Blue Mosque

Isnik tiling, interior of Blue Mosque

Approaching the Blue Mosque

Sunset in Sulahymet

Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque after evening prayers

Blue sky, Blue Mosque

Outstanding food at a quaint backstreet restaurant in Beyoglu

Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern

Medusa’s final fate in the underground Basilica Cistern

Ever sold any gold?

“That’s never worth 20, I’ll give you 10” “Its worth 50! How about 18?” “12?” “15?” “8?” “Fine. 10. And you can have this [cheap vase made in china] as a gift…” – The Grand Bazaar

Süleymaniye Mosque

Women pray at the rear of the mosque behind a carved grill

Original 11th Century ceiling decor in the Topkapi Palace

Resting in the Süleymaniye Mosque

Heading towards the Hagia Sophia from the Blue Mosque

Fish Eye Hagia Sophia

So as to accurately face Mecca, the Mihrab could not be placed centrally. We interestingly noticed that the Hagia Sophia does not follow the normal layout of facing East so the sun rises behind the altar… This tradition must have come in later!?

Astounded by the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

The spot where many Roman Emperors were coronated, Hagia Sophia

The Imperial Door, Hagia Sophia, which only the Emperor could enter by.

The great dome of the Hagia Sophia – supported by 40 decorated ‘ribs’ that distribute the weight onto hidden pillars, giving the impression it hovers unsupported… Spectacular.

Stunning gold mosaic in the Hagia Sophia

Capaciousness of the Hagia Sophia

Harry marvels at massive door in the Hagia Sophia

Top of the Blue Mosque from a Hagia Sophia balcony window…

“Do you have brown wax?” “Yes, yes, no problem, no problem…” (And he persists to smear black shoe polish on my lovely waxed leather BROWN walking boots… and then wants 10 TL when I offer him 5 !!

Gull feeding time on the Bosphorus

On the boat to Buyukada

From the boat to Buyukada

Green wandering on Buyukada

Sun throgh the trees on Buyukada, one of the Princes’ Islands

Fallen caterpillars… Ejected from their lofty tree-tops

Caterpillar’s nest on Buyukada

Suprisingly large wooden building peeking out above the pine trees – unable to discover what it once was…

A late afternoon walk up a hill on Buyukada, one of the Princes’ Islands

A farewell meal with our good friend Rhi

Leaving Istanbul through the mist…