Istanbul

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Destinations:

Istanbul
     Topkapi Palace  
Ankara
 
Cappodocia 
Konya  
Aspendos 
Perge
  
Antalya 
Pamukkale 
Ephesus 
Aphrodisias   
Kusadasi 
Pergamum 
Troy 
Canakkale 
Gallipoli

We stayed in old historic (European side) Istanbul.  We were within walking distance of the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus strait, The Fish Market, spice market and the old city wall.  We also saw the Chora Museum and Dolmabahçe Palace.  

Part of the Istanbul tour was a 90 minute boat ride on the Bosphorus (the strait of water separating Asia and Europe).  It was a great
way to experience the ebb and flow of Istanbul's many cultures than during a cruise on the Bosphorus as we glide past the magnificent palaces, beautiful mosques, imposing fortresses and Ottoman mansions that still grace its shores.  

The shores of the Bosphorus are between a third of a mile and two miles apart and are lined with cafes, restaurants, taverns, Yali's (residences) and several palaces. From Istanbul to the Black Sea the shoreline measures nineteen miles in all. The view of the Bosphorus is amazing with its traffic of freighters, fishing boats, water skiers, swimmers, and flights of storks and eagles. Silently watching all this progress for centuries are the two imposing stone fortresses, Anadolu Hisari (1390) and Rumeli Hisari (1452).  

Istanbul has about 15 million residents, straddling Europe and Asia, and an unchallenged place in the country's history, folklore, commerce and culture. For several thousand years before the construction of the Bosphorus Bridge in 1973, the only way to go between the European and Asian parts of the city was by boat. A second bridge was completed in 1988, a third is planned and a metro is being developed.  Our boat went under both bridges - truly spectacular.

Walking along the Bosphorus and visiting the fish market in the late afternoon was wonderful.  It was only a 15 minute walk from our hotel down some local streets.  As we walked back to our hotel, the sunset was beautiful.

Click on a picture to enlarge.

Blue Mosque in foreground, Bosphorus Strait in backgroundBlue Mosque in foreground, Bosphorus Strait in background St. Sophia Museum built in 350 A.D. is the 4th largest basilica in the world.  In 1453 it was converted into a mosque, and in 1932 into a museumSt. Sophia Museum built in 350 A.D. is the 4th largest basilica in the world. In 1453 it was converted into a mosque, and in 1932 into a museum St. Sophia MuseumSt. Sophia Museum John next to large urn in the museumJohn next to large urn in the museum Early earthquake detection - pieces of glass between 2 bars on the wallEarly earthquake detection - pieces of glass between 2 bars on the wall Frescoes on the domeFrescoes on the dome More frescoesMore frescoes Frescoes on the wallFrescoes on the wall Frescoes on the wallFrescoes on the wall Outside of the St. Sophia museumOutside of the St. Sophia museum Blue Mosque built in 1610.  Only mosque with 6 minaretsBlue Mosque built in 1610. Only mosque with 6 minarets Blue mosque with the plaza in frontBlue mosque with the plaza in front Blue mosque in February 2001Blue mosque in February 2001 Beautiful stained glass windows in the mosqueBeautiful stained glass windows in the mosque Inside view of the Blue MosqueInside view of the Blue Mosque Blue tiles in the mosqueBlue tiles in the mosque More of the inside of the mosqueMore of the inside of the mosque Hippodrome - area between the Blue Mosque and St. Sophia Museum with Snaked column and Egyptian ObelisqueHippodrome - area between the Blue Mosque and St. Sophia Museum with Snaked column and Egyptian Obelisque Cistern under the city - entrance close to the Blue MosqueCistern under the city - entrance close to the Blue Mosque Kids playing in the streetKids playing in the street Local street close to our hotelLocal street close to our hotel Local street close to our hotelLocal street close to our hotel Local street close to our hotelLocal street close to our hotel Local street close to our hotelLocal street close to our hotel Our hotel was to the right and halfway down the streetOur hotel was to the right and halfway down the street Bridge connecting Asia and EuropeBridge connecting Asia and Europe The Minarets of Soliman the Magnificent and the Golden HornThe Minarets of Soliman the Magnificent and the Golden Horn Inside mosque of Soliman the MagnificentInside mosque of Soliman the Magnificent Inside mosque of Soliman the MagnificentInside mosque of Soliman the Magnificent Old city wall by the BosphorusOld city wall by the Bosphorus Entrance to the Grand BazaarEntrance to the Grand Bazaar Inside the Grand BazaarInside the Grand Bazaar Walking along the Bosphorus - appears that ship was there a long time.Walking along the Bosphorus - appears that ship was there a long time. Cruise on the Bosphorus - Bridge connecting Europe and AsiaCruise on the Bosphorus - Bridge connecting Europe and Asia Cruise on the Bosphorus - Dolmabahce PalaceCruise on the Bosphorus - Dolmabahce Palace Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boatCruise on the Bosphorus - more views from our small boat Cruise on the Bosphorus - this was unusual as we did not see many private boatsCruise on the Bosphorus - this was unusual as we did not see many private boats Postcard view of the second bridge connecting Europe and AsiaPostcard view of the second bridge connecting Europe and Asia Rumeli Hisari (Fortress of Europe) on the BosphorusRumeli Hisari (Fortress of Europe) on the Bosphorus Another view of the fortressAnother view of the fortress Mosque and Dolmabahce PalaceMosque and Dolmabahce Palace A closer view of the mosqueA closer view of the mosque Better view of the bridge connecting Europe and Asia - and yes, we did cross the bridgeBetter view of the bridge connecting Europe and Asia - and yes, we did cross the bridge Another view by the fortressAnother view by the fortress St. Saviour in Chora know for Byzantine art and New Testament mosaics and frescoesSt. Saviour in Chora know for Byzantine art and New Testament mosaics and frescoes Inside St. Saviour - Kirsten and I went by taxi to this siteInside St. Saviour - Kirsten and I went by taxi to this site Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Inside St. SaviourInside St. Saviour Spice marketSpice market Spice marketSpice market Ourside the spice marketOurside the spice market Streets around the spice marketStreets around the spice market Streets around the spice marketStreets around the spice market Streets around the spice marketStreets around the spice market Streets around the spice marketStreets around the spice market Carpet galleryCarpet gallery Carpet galleryCarpet gallery Fish market that we walked to from our hotelFish market that we walked to from our hotel Fish market that we walked to from our hotelFish market that we walked to from our hotel Fish market that we walked to from our hotelFish market that we walked to from our hotel Catch of the day - a 12 foot shark at the marketCatch of the day - a 12 foot shark at the market Sunset on the Borphorus as we walked back to our hotelSunset on the Borphorus as we walked back to our hotel lightbox gallery cmsby VisualLightBox.com v6.1

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